Midsummer 2015

Hello, hello!

I'm finally feeling a bit better (*wohoo*) and today I finally have time to share more pictures. This time they are from our midsummer celebration. If you didn't know, midsummer is a HUGE deal to Finns. It is the beginning of summer and the endless nights. Sun barely sets on midsummer's eve and if you go North enough it won't set at all. People travel to their summer cottages to celebrate midsummer by grilling food, enjoying a hot sauna, swimming, going dancing and staying up late.

This year we spent our midsummer with a our friends Katri and Juha. Together we took a road trip from Kuopio to Juva, then to Ristiina and from there to Helsinki and eventually across the Baltic sea to Tallinn, Estonia. It was so much fun! Of course the weather could have been warmer but at least it didn't rain all the time.

Before going on our midsummer roadvtrip I did some babysitting for my brother. I hung out with my nephew and niece. Here's us at a play park.

This cutie pie is Jasmin and I absolutely adore her!

I also took Emil geo cacheing around pond Valkeinen in downtown Kuopio.

Emil is so good at finding geo caches.

Nothing beats nap time though (*giggle*).

Ready for the road trip to begin! First stop on our trip was Juva.

Pretty violets at my friends' place.

Lots of lilacs and an old cold storage.

Scottie and I.

Selfie time!

The smell of lilacs is so yummy!

Heavy rain clouds lingered upon us.

Gorgeous bleeding heart.

Burgers and pineapple.

Homemade burgers are so delish!

Next our trip took us to Heimari in Ristiina. I picked some lilies for our hotel room.

Group craziness.

Finally we got some sunshine! Heimari is located on a beautiful property.

Checking out the long pier they have at Heimari.

I went swimming despite the cold water.

Trees basking in the little sun we got.

They also have sheep there.

This mama sheep wanted to take pictures with us.

Kisses!

For Midsummer eve dinner we roasted sausages and marshmallows.

I like to teach Finns how to make smores. 

Midsummer eve bonfire.

It was huge!

Happy Midsummer!

Next morning Scott and I went for a bike ride.

It was so pretty there! Lush green forest.

And this cute little bridge.

I  took so many pictures because it was so pretty there.

Easy to walk walking paths.

Morning walk/bike ride really wakes you up.

We found this little pond as well.

I made a flower head band.

Because I'm nice I shared my flower head band with my friend. Here's us going for a quick row boat tour around the lake.

Scott was our designated rower.

Then it was time to drive to Helsinki. It was raining yet again.

Finally the skies cleared and we made our way to Korkeasaari zoo.

Boys at the zoo on Midsummer's day.

Since it was a cooler afternoon all the animals were really active. This cute red panda was running around his cage.

Group smiles!

Lions were really active too.

I just love the scenery at Korkeasaari.

Peacock selfie.

Peacock and an odd fog that surrounded the zoo and most of Helsinki.

Pretty flowers are well watered with all the rain Finland has been getting this summer.

Goofing off at the zoo.

The fog surrounded us.

I just love these colors.

Raccoon.

Crazy fog blocked all the sun light as we walked from the zoo to the bus stop.

Eerie looking.

Bye Korkeasaari!

Next our road trip took us to Estonia but I'll tell you more about it later. Cheers!