We finally made it to church together on Sunday. Church is a very big part of our life, and yet, we have missed many Sundays in a row due to soccer tournaments and trips to our cabin. But we expect that in the summertime. Andoni got to witness an evangelical church service with a live band. I know it is not what he is used to, but, like I told Andoni, there are many ways to worship God.

After church, I mowed the lawn, and for the 3rd week in a row, Andoni and Aubrey raked up the piles of grass left over by the lawn mower. The also raked up a couple piles of leaves.

It has been a nice summer. The weather, especially while Andoni has been here, has been very nice. After a quick walk with the dog, we went to the soccer celebration put on by Edina Soccer. Andoni and the girls played games, watched a 2nd division professional game, and chatted with friends. Andoni even got to meet Manuel Lagos, a former MLS player who also played 2nd division in Spain.

We then went out to dinner. The girls were in a silly mood, and Andoni was too.

Of course, Andoni asked us if there was a gluten-free menu. He is very diligent about the menu. I think by the year 2050, he will actually trust that he doesn't need to ask us if the food is gulten-free any more.

Here is a video of Shelby trying desperately to hug Andoni:

After dinner, we went swimming again at the pool that is just across the street. We went with another family (the Taylors) and Andoni continues to charm the little girls. Audrey Taylor (who is 4 years old) spotted Andoni at the pool again the next morning and ran right to him and he sat and colored and talked with her for about an hour. Audrey thinks Andoni is pretty great, I think she will be shocked when she sees us again and we are without Andoni, she thinks he is another Northrup. It just won't be the same without Andoni around.

On the right is a picture of Andoni and Audrey together.

Monday was spent at the pool while the girls had swim lessons yet again, but it was a little rainy and slightly cool out so we only stayed for the lessons and then left. Gillian and Shelby and Andoni and I went to the market to find some food for Andoni's long plane ride home and then we headed to Target where Andoni had some freedom to run around and find something he wanted to take home (I think he bought a couple of t-shirts). It was fun. He was teasing Shelby all day that she would be going home with him to the Basque country and that she needed to get packing right away. I don't think our five year old is ready for a Trans-Atlantic flight, but I do think Andoni wouldn't mind having her. She cries the most, but in spite of that bad habit, will hold Andoni's hand as they walk and readily hugs him and always wants to be near him. It is pretty sweet.

On Monday evening we had a large Northrup family get together. My aunt's and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephew and mom all met for dinner at my grandmother's house. My mom normally lives in Atlanta, Georgia, but is here just for a few days to visit family. My Aunt and Uncle Byron (Francie and Jon) live near San Francisco, California and are also visiting this week. Andoni got to witness the chaos of a Northrup buffet. Lots of food. Lots of laughter. Very loud. You would think we were Italian. We couldn't stay long, however, because Aubrey had her final soccer game of the year. Right when we arrived at the park, Andoni was greeted by boys from one of the soccer teams. "Andoni! Andoni!" They were kicking the ball around just for fun. He sauntered over to them and joined them for an hour kicking the ball. He is a regular now in Edina. It seems that more and more places we go, people know Andoni.

He of course, is welcome back to Edina any time. Not only our family but pretty much any soccer team in the area would welcome him with open arms.