Folk Festing!

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD!

This year, my Dad came up to attend the 30th Annual Edmonton Folk Music Festival. I have gone for small portions of this festival since I arrived in Edmonton. This year, we bit the bullet and bought tickets for all 4...I mean 5 DAYS! Normally the folk fest is a 4 day event with folk music from all corners of the world. This year was special. There was an additional night added to the festival featuring TRACY CHAPMAN and SARAH McLACHLAN! The additional concert was a fundraiser for the Folk Fest Endowment Fund which is in place to help struggling folk fest so our children and children's children can enjoy fantastic music for years to come.

The other great part of this week was having my Dad here for just over a week. We had a great time, but I think Cora had the best time. Cora definitely has herself a new bud. They ate cereal together every morning, which is something I will always remember doing with my dad. Grandpa Bill also taught Cora all kinds of fantastic new tricks. We definitely have a louder child since he has left. Thanks, Dad. :) She sings, but it comes out as a very strained yell. She does her own indian yell with her hand. She waves ALL the time. She used to hold her hand to her forehead and wave. Now she waves properly. She gets all sorts of excited about balls and balloons. Grandpa, the sap, was letting her have anything she wanted at the grocery. We came home with yet another mylar balloon. I think we will have some spoiled grandchildren here in the future. We went on walks and took advantage of the few nice days. It rained a bunch, but the weather was splendid for the music.

Here are pictures of the folk fest and plenty of photos of Cora playing with Grandpa Bill.

Grandpa putting Cora down for a nap. Eyes wide open!

A "kiss" from Cora

She loved bouncing on her ball.

She's almost pulling herself up in her crib. Time to lower the mattress.

The city skyline from a park by our house.

My turn for kisses. Yes, I am pulling away. She is all slobber and tongue!

First night of the folk fest

Brr. It was a bit cold.

But, Cora slept anyways.

And then it rained. We stuck it out and Cora kept sleeping.

Tracy Chapman!!

The crowd at night. There were 20K people attending the folk fest each day. 2K could fit in the beer gardens and there was always a wait to get in. :)

Toughing out the weather. It wasn't too bad. Just chilly!

Sarah McLachlan!!!!

First time she held her bottle.

My Dad.

There is food all over her face!

Checking out the view.

Another view of the mainstage with the city in the background.

Mortal Coil. These chicks rocked! The danced the weekend away on those massive stilts.

Cathy and Cora

Playing with her homemade rattle.

Showing everyone how she can pose for the camera. She really does!

Distant view of the folk fest.

Taking a nap in the shade. It did eventually warm up.

Cutie pie with Grandpa Bill's hat.

Here are just some quick snippets of videos from the first night. These are for you, Michelle. She has loved Sarah McLaclan since she was little. I took three quick videos of her just to rub it in your face. :)

Giggles and Sunshine

We bought Cora a baby pool about a week ago to try to beat the summer heat. All 4 days of the heat. This summer has been pretty mild. Our little fishy loves the water.

Her new pool with a whole new assortment of toys.

Trying the sunglasses again. They lasted 30 seconds. She is starting to pull hats off her head as well.

Cutest butt in the family.

Hey Mom.

Cora has also become extremely mobile this last week. We need to start babyproofing. It is amazing how fast it happens. Here are some of her first pictures. She went straight for the outlet. At least these ones already had plugs in them. What a rascal.




We also bought Cora a little ball. She has a bunch of these at daycare, and I have noticed how excited she gets when she sees them. Lee and I saw one at Toys "R" Us, and figured it would be a good addition to her toy collection. Success!! I also thought she looked incredibly cute in her Nike zip up. The cloth birds are ones I made for her mobile. I obviously haven't put the mobile together yet. She really likes those as well. My friend Eva, who made her quilt, helped me pick out the fabric to coordinate with her quilt. I really like how they turned out.



My Dad came up to visit for a little over a week. The primary point of the trip was to see his grandbaby. We also planned the trip for this time because we are attending the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. I LOVE this festival. I have a feeling, my mom and dad will be back next year for it. My dad is a bit of a music buff, and this is his kind of music. We are all excited. The folk fest is kicked off on Wednesday night with SARAH MCLACHLAN and TRACY CHAPMAN! We then have 4 straight days of music with the likes of Boz Scaggs, Bela Fleck, The Wailers, Chumbawumba, the Northern Cree Singers, Rodney Crowell, and so much more. Here are a couple photos from Dad's first day with Cora as well as bath time. It was a bit humid so her hair was extra curly.

And finally, a video to put a smile on any one's face. Lee can always get her laughing.