The Okee Brothers

We've seen them in concert a couple of times, but bringing their newest cd with us on our road trip cemented "The Okee Dokee Brothers" (or "Okee Brothers" as Siri calls them) as one of our favorite groups to listen, and dance, to!  So, when we found out they were going to be back in the Cities performing, we met other friends and fans to listen, and dance and dance and dance...

If you've never heard of these guys, all these girls highly recommend them!!

(by the way, this hasn't been sped up, these girls were really dancing THAT fast:))

More Summer Photos (Stories to Come, Soon!)

August seems to be going by in a blur. Since my last post--we had a great last few days in Phoenix, complete with a trip to the Diamondbacks game (the girls loved it, especially singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame), a trip to the zoo, and swimming with cousins. 

Then, we headed back to Minnesota via Door County, Wisconsin where we had our annual weekend with Di, Tom, Kaj, and Leif. This year, we were delighted that it worked for Emily, Ella, and Jack to come, too. We had a wonderful time, and were especially impressed that Kaj, Annie, Ella and Leif all SLEPT in the same room together!

Since we've been back in Minnesota, we've spent a lot of time with friends around town, loving the beautiful weather and relaxed time together. I'll write more with more detailed stories soon, but for now, I'll let the pictures do most of the talking...

At the Phoenix Zoo for one of our last days in AZ

The Sahauro Slide at the Zoo

A peacock that hung out with us at the zoo, and that Siri still talks about!

Taking care of the animals at the playground

On the Road Again...Siri takes a nap with Pooh

A slight detour on our way home--to Door County for a lovely weekend with friends.
Here's Annie and Leif in the Cherry Orchard.

...and Siri and Ella talking on the front deck...

Annie and Ella 

Siri and Mommy

Siri in the Woods

Emily, Jenia, Diana and the kids

Leif, Siri, Kaj, Jack, Annie, and Ella

Jack naps while the big kids play

Back in Minnesota--a weekend with friends in Faribault

Lilyana looking rather devious (or cold?!)

Siri and Emmalin

Picking raspberries with Nana at Papa and Nana's House

Relaxing in Papa and Nana's swing

Ready for a bike ride around Minnehaha Park

Walking by Minnehaha Falls

...and along the creek...Annie still very into posing...

Raspberry Picking down near Northfield 

with friends Ani and Norah

Ani and Annie dancing at an Okee Dokee Brothers concert

Lilyana and Siri dance at the concert

Camping at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Siri tells a story

The girls on "the balance beam"

Lilyana and Annie lead us the the waterfall

Annie the Pirate and sweet Lilyana

Lilyana, Siri, Annie, and Emmalin