Stillwater MN - 2011 Birthday celebrating again

For the past 21 years, when I have been in town, Margie, Jimbo, me, sometimes Dan Sandor and often others have gathered to celebrate Dan and my birthdays.
We gathered once again on a day where the cold finally broke, the sun came out and everyone was ready for some laughs and celebrating - and multiple choice desserts!
Always something new to make each year a memory of its own. This year we had a moonlight walk on the lake to check out the local ice fishermen as well as glasses for slicing onions and another pop-up book with "even more celebrity" meltdowns. And don't want to forget "strike anywhere matches" for Petar at his first year joining the party.
Lucille has been celebrating her birthday for a month and finished up with another celebration with Dan, Davide and Dennis.

Birthday 2011 - Celebrating with Dan 1

Another birthday has arrived.  It's -9F with -20F windchill - certainly going to be a day for a chilly celebration. 
Sandor night dinner to celebrate Dan's 21st - and since it happened on my birthday, and in my neighborhood, I joined the party.
Fortunately, it is supposed to be warming up for the weekend...may even see 40F+...something really worth celebrating at my age!

Saint Paul MN - Torchlight Parade...Winter Carnival finale

Having been both a torchlight parade observer as well as a rider in a car through the streets it was great fun to enjoy the parade with a new set of eyes - a non-Minnesotan seeing it all for the first time. 
It all had new life. 
Having a Winter Carnival novice one has to be up on Carnival Lore to be able to put all the unique characters together in a coherent story.  With 10 years of Klondike Kate emcee experience, among other volunteering for the cause, I was up to the job. 
And the added bonus was running in to old friend after old friend along the streets or on the floats throughout the evening. 

Saint Paul MN - Sunny Sunday. A great day to get out and enjoy the City and Carnival.

Saint Paul MN - Winter Carnival time year 125

Winter Carnival time - and the 125th celebration.
A cold and windy night we wandered down to take in the Ice Bar in the park and see what the evening brought.  After a bit of a wander and quick overview of the Ice Bar we determined a glass of wine and a bit to eat overlooking the park was a much better option.