Leprechauns made me write this

Friday noon, Robb, Leon and I took off for Cedar Falls, or is it Rapids?  I just can't keep them straight.  The one by Waterloo!  That usually helps.  Anyway, Robb was marching in a parade with his bagpipe band and Leon and I were along for the Haggis.

There was NO Haggis stand this year!!!  bummer.  There was Kringla tho!  A Norwegian cookie at an Irish Festival...  That sounds right.  He and I bought some cookies at the Kringla booth and then wandered around checking out all the cool stands and their wares.  Also found a booth where they sold German potato salad!  Can't show favoritism for any ONE ethnicity at THIS Irish Fest, I guess!...

Bought him a shirt!  Hooligan!  The sentiment seemed to fit until I changed him into it and found that it may fit him perfectly at this very moment, but as soon as I wash it, it's going to shrink.  He immediately spilled something on it, so it's ours!  I went back and bought a second one a few sizes bigger.  Also picked up one for a new grand-nephew of mine that said "The Leprechauns made me do it!"  I didn't think my nephew would appreciate a Hooligan shirt for his new baby.  

How do WE know how he'll turn out?!

Finally, only after we'd spent a fortune, the parade started and the band marched in.  A very tough looking guy with tattoos up both arms, legs and across his neck, bald but with a beard down to there, wearing a kilt and combat boots sang the National anthem.  WOW... He had the most awesome, clear, beautiful voice I'd ever heard!   

That and the Ireland national anthem kicked off the weekend long festival.  We were only there for a few hours.  At least that's what the parking meter said.

Robb's band took a break then while some Irish dancers performed.  Oh my!  I love loVE LOVE Irish dancing!!  And the gorgeous music in the background!  I need to dig out our Lord of the Dance VHS and watch it on the big screen tv...  It'll be like having Michael Flatley live in my BEDROOM!  

Maybe we'll watch it downstairs...

It started to drizzle lightly.  It was a soft rain...  So Leon and I met up with Robb and we went to the tent where the band would perform.  I'm so glad they had a tent because as soon as they started playing the rain started pounding down outside!  A lot of people crowded in to hear them.

Afterwards, we got the only Irish food we could find, shepherd's pie and headed for the car.  There's only so much soggy wool tartan one can stand at one time.

Then on Saturday, after the INCIDENT, Robb, Ryan, Leon and I attended another parade which was a bit longer... by at least a block!  Leon discovered how to pick up candy in the street and he is a natural!!  

I should be well supplied with candy at every parade we attend from now on.

Excluding the INCIDENT, it was a good weekend although I missed the girls a lot...  They had spent the weekend at their aunts in Kansas City and were having lots of fun girl time, which is always good!  But they missed out on super secret steak night Saturday.  We had a niece and a nephew over for dinner instead.  

Hear that girls?!  You've been replaced!

just kidding...

We'll have a special dinner next weekend in your honor but you have to wear kilts.