Pike Place Market

Diane came home to visit for a week, and Brittney came home on the same flight.  It was bright and early on Wednesday morning, so we made a quick trip to Pike Place Market while we were in Seattle.  Diane hasn't been there since she was very young, and wanted to experience this all important destination in her home state.

We got there just as the shops were opening and had fun browsing through kitchen shops and taste testing fruit.

So glad she got to experience the bubble gum wall.  It's almost as famous as the market itself.  What a variety of colors, and flavors, I'm sure!  It's actually quite artistic.

Brittney is getting dangerously close to all that ABC gum!

Doesn't it look delicious?

No, wait Diane, I have gum in my purse! 

What a great place!

With so many flowers to choose from, we spent quite awhile picking out bouquets to bring home.

Then we got to enjoy them for a week!

I love the flowers growing on the roofs.  So fun!

Diane spotted a whole bunch of these lanyards that say Philippines on them. 

That was fun.  You never know what treasures you'll find at the market!

Leavenworth!

 

With a rare free weekend, we made a quick trip to Leavenworth.  This was Eric's first time.  He definitely liked the warm weather and the ice cream cones!

We started off right, with a yummy dinner on the way.  There is this great little bakery in Gold Bar

that serves sandwiches made on delicious homemade bread.

 

Eric got the hot turkey sandwich.

Keith and I each got the turkey, cranberry, cream cheese sandwich.  That was a pretty big meal!

Our hotel was decorated in the Bavarian style and it overlooked the Yakima River.

We were lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing waters.  The river was so high it actually sounded more like a water fall out side our room.

We were lucky enough to get tickets to see "The Sound of Music".  It was opening night.  The weather was warm and only cooled down a little the second half of the show.  We all really enjoyed the play.  Maria was the same as last year's show, but the Captain was played by a different actor, he was better this year.  The kids were really cute, too.

The sisters were singing to us about turning off our cell phones before the show started.

Afterwards Keith took our picture by the Captain and Maria.  It looks like we're in town, with the windows behind us, but that's a bus used to transport people up the hill to the amphitheatre who would rather not walk all that way. 

Saturday morning we played our first round of golf on the putting course.  The hotel we stayed at includes free golfing!  It was 18 holes of fun and frustration, but mostly we just enjoyed the warm sunshine and the beauty of the course.  And I love my hair in this picture.

Here we are standing behind the very large waterfall.  It was cool and refreshing back here.

Eric spent most of the day trying to decide which hat he should get.  This fedora was a nice choice.

Later in the day my brother Wes rode into town.  We shopped around with him a bit, and decided to play another round of golf in the afternoon. 

Look at that finesse!

Here is that big waterfall behind us.

 

 We took a lunch break and listened to the authentic austrian band play and sing for us.  They were awesome yodelers.

Love their hats.  I think this was what convinced Eric he needed one too.

 

Lunch in Leavenworth means waiting in a long line for the terrific brats at the corner outdoor restaurant.  This was Eric's first brat, and he really liked it.  I went for the hot dog.  And it was soo good.  Great lemonade too.

At Kris Kringles we like to find our favorite Christmas ornaments and shoot a picture.  Speaking of shooting, Eric's says, WARNING Trespassers Will Be Shot.  Survivors will be shot again. Ha ha.

And Keith's says Fisherman lives here with the catch of his life.  Aww, cute.

 Awesome hat!

Super, oversized Australian Cowboy hats!

 And he's getting back on the road again.  It was fun meeting up with Wes and sharing the afternoon.

Father's Day

Yes, homemade strawberry shortcakes finished off the evening in a delicious way. Before that we had some amazing steak cooked on the new grill.  Before that, we had to figure out how to turn on the grill. 

Luckily we still have Eric here, (that kid is not allowed to leave home, we'll be in big trouble since he's the one we rely on to help with anything from figuring out how to use a new camera to reading small print, to solving computer troubles to getting a new grill working). For Father's Day this year I told Keith we would buy him a new bbq grill, but I wanted him to pick it out.  Now that we know how to use it, I think we're going to like it!

 Most of the day was spent getting ready for the John Day River trip the scouts were taking the next day.  Everyone met at our house Saturday night to wash and load the kayaks onto the trailer. They are already packed full of boys stuff for the trip.

 Keith is trying something new this year with this float tube.  It should handle the rapids real well.

Happy Father's Day to a guy who's usually taking care of everyone else.  Sure love you, hon!

Richard Graduates!

After many rigorous years at the Seattle Art Institute, Richard has completed his studies there with flying colors!  He was busy impressing large crowds at the Portfolio Show held in conjunction with graduation.  Mom & I loved being able to attend the show held at Benaroya Hall.  Congratulations to Richard on work well done!

Grandma Hart's Birthday Bash

Birthday parties come in all shapes and sizes.  This year mom treated us all by hosting dinner at her house.  Then we played games into the wee hours of the night.  Paul and Wes were here for all the festivities.  For dessert,  I made mom's favorite, german chocolate cake, and then also threw in some cream puffs... just for fun!  Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady and a great mom!

Carson's Graduation

Congratulations to Carson!  A beautiful evening at Mt. Baker High School.   Glad we could be on hand to witness the celebration.  We're happy for him and wish him the very best for his future!