Midsummer 2008

This was the 14th annual midsummer party at Ramsen, a small island in the archipelago north of Stockholm. My brother Åke and his wife Helene bought the property 14 years ago and have been hosting a midsummer festivity/family reunion ever since. This year, however, Åke and Helene had delegated the planning to their daughter Maria, son Johan and their cousins. They, in turn, made sure that everyone contributed with food, drinks, and games. Above you can see Åke overseeing the raising of the midsummer pole.
And then he could relax with a beer and just enjoy the weekend.

This is how happy Helene was that she did not have to be in charge.

Our family was very happy to be reunited - Benjamin arrived from India, Kristina and Cliff from Berlin and Kerstin and Thomas came from Washington.

As you can see, the weather was fabulous, the best midsummer weather I have ever experienced. Sunny and warm THE WHOLE TIME! As usual we started with a ''sill'' lunch.

And we were singing ''nubbevisor'' that Johan had collected in the pamphlet Kristina is showing.

After lunch everybody did different things, like playing soccer, participating in the ''tipspromenad,'' swimming, taking a sauna (even though the weather did not call for it), fishing, playing kubb or just hanging out. If you want to see more pictures from these activities, check out Kristina's and Ben's blogs. (Links are above in the right column.)
Here are some of the happy family members, Helene's brother Thomas, Kristina, Cliff and Louise.

Johan and Cornelea.

Björn and Inga.

Bengt and Lars. Behind are the tents used by some of the 30 family members who were there.

Kristina's friend Marybeth who came in from Phoenix, AZ. To make sure she felt at home we made some s'mores.

Peter and Cecilia enjoying their s'mores.

The next day, Kristina made two birthday cakes, one for Cliff and one for Maria.

Benjamin serving the cakes to the birthday celebrants.

And here they are opening presents.

What you now have been presented is, of course, a sanitized version of what a Swedish midsummer is like. If you want to know what it really is like, I suggest you check out this video.