Syttende Mai 2009

The annual Syttende Mai Parade took place in Ballard today. It runs right in front of our house, so it's the perfect excuse to have friends over. We invited Norwegians and non-Norwegians alike to enjoy the festivities with us from our front yard. Like last year, the sun was shining and it was a great day for a parade!

Guests included the Roddas, Grimes, Hendersons, Puzons, Policars, and the girls' beloved nurse, Linda, and her daughter (and city council candidate) Jessie.

The girls' wagon is all decked out for the parade.

THe Rodda family enjoys the marching band from our front yard.

Jack Rodda was so excited, he decided to join the parade! (He's the short one in the plaid shorts.)

Matt decided to join the parade, too, when he found out Sig Hansen from "The Deadliest Catch" was part of the festivities. Matt brought Emma with him as bait (pun intended) to get a picture with Sig. As you can tell, Sig was less than thrilled, and Emma was a bit unsure.

Back on the lawn, Cassius and Jack savored the lollipops thrown out by parade participants. Yum!

Mia and Emma were sharing a snack at the table with Marina, when Marina decided Emma should have the entire bowl full of strawberries in her face. I just happened to be taking a photo of the three girls when this happened. Classic!

Nodic skiiers. They must have been burning up in those outfits!

Mia and Emma take in the scenery from the front lawn.

Emma stays cool with her sun hat.

Mia tears into a snack that doesn't belong to her.

The Lund Four after a great day with friends!