Where do you think you're going?
Mia did some new artwork at school this year and they are looking great. The first one is called “The Remains of Beauty” which I think was inspired by some of the art we have seen on our trips to Mexico. The second one is called “The Whisk” – I gave it the name since Mia said it does not really have name. Maybe it was inspired by all the cooking we do at home?
Redmond News Stories
Local news for Redmond, WA – updated from at least one source occasionally
On Tuesday, Mr. Niikkonen had relocated himself and his dog to the Marriott Residence Inn in Redmond Town Center (RTC), also including the rest of the family and the cat. The family had escaped to the hotel while the mess from water damage is getting fixed at their home. The damage was caused by a leaking refrigerator pipe carrying water for the ice maker. The family was staying (or actually packed) in a small two bedroom suite during they stay in RTC. Apparently, during their first night, Mr. Niikkonen woke up around 4:00am for some reason, and noticed their dog behaving strangely. He got up starting to search and look around what might be causing the dog’s behavior. He soon discovered that the whole carpet in their room was soaking wet. They had a serious leak in their room from above, possibly caused by the heavy rain on the previous evening and during the night. “Well, I can’t believe this is happening to us again”, Mr. Niikkonen had noted but he was not available to further comment on the incident. After taking their children to school he and his wife had to relocate their belongings again but this time luckily only to a different room in the same hotel. The new room is significantly larger than the first one so there was a bit of good luck in this stressful event. Also, to relief their stress, the hotel property coordinator had left a kind note apologizing the inconvenience the Niikkonen’s had to experience, a gift basket (including treats for the dog and the cat), and a gift certificate for a free stay at the hotel on any weekend. Editor’s note: Rumor is, Mr. Niikkonen had earlier joked to his wife about having leek in the kitchen but her having not to worry, since he was going to put it in the soup he was making. The superstitious might say both incidents might have been result from making that joke.
These are paintings created by my cousin Kimmo Niikkonen in 2001-2003. They are classified as naïve art style and they describe the wilderness and culture of Finnish Lapland.
Friends, family & good food.
Mia wanted to have a birthday with her friends at the Wild Waves October Fright Fest. Donna & I took them them over there on Saturday evening Oct 1st. While they were having fun on the rides Donna and I strolled around in the park & I took some pictures. The park looks pretty empty but we were there quite early & almost no one was there. Later on it got more crowded. They have the park set up pretty nice now with all the landscaping etc, and now of course with Halloween decorations & props. Donna was dancing with the Zombies learning the thriller dance.
Thank you everyone. We had a good time in LA July 27 – August 9 meeting family & celebrating my mother in law’s 80th bday & two newborns in the family, and my bday. My buddies flew there from Seattle & had setup a surprise party for me in Santa Monica. It was a huge surprise, I had no idea. I thought I’m going out to dinner with my brother in law & nephews. We had a great dinner in Japanese restaurant & went to see great blues gig afterwards. The performer was a guitar legend Guitar Shorty. Good times!
We visited quite a few places in the LA area including, Chino Hills, Whittier, San Dimas, Ontario, Torrance, Palos Verdes and Santa Monica.
