I don't know about you, but with the end of the school year and all that goes along with it we have been busy! This was Jared's last year in Elementary school. The school had a promotion ceremony for them.
Mom and Dad were able to come. Sadly John was not, it was right in the middle of the day and he had stuff at work that HAD to get done, because we were going to Levenworth Wa. ( But I will talk about that later. ;) Dad leaned to me to ask why all the kids had the number 12 on their shirts. Well It stands for the year ;) silly boy. When the kids came in and sat down, Jared was very serious and as stiff as a board, and he wouldn't look at us at all! Dad called him but Jared wouldn't turn around. He finally gave in and Dad got this happy snap. See him trying not to smile.
This kid was all business during the ceremony! He moved so fast I could not get a shot of him getting his certificate from the principal Mr. Keop. Dad did but as you can see it is blurry.
Mr. Keop had all the kids stand and face us, to present them as middle schoolers. Again, Jared would not look at us or smile. So of course Papa took that as a challenge (to make him smile) Papa finally got him to smile with the old classic, DON'T SMILE. Jared couldn't help himself, he smiled! Works every time!
After all the formalness of the ceremony, he loosened up. Here he is with Mrs. Porche. She was such a great help and encouragement for him and us. She also help to prepare him for what to expect in middle school.
It was funny that they gave the kids leis to wear. I had no idea and I thought that I would make one for him, cause that is what you get boys right? So thanks to pintrest, I made him a leis with the school colors gray and black with some dollars tucked in between them. It was very easy. Jared was very happy about the money, of course!
This year the last day of school was June 20th Nick's Birthday. We had planned to go to Leavenworth, after the boys got out of school. The boys and I had been there once when came for a visit when Jared was 5 and Nick was 3. I honestly don't remember much of the sights cause, that is hard to do when you have two small kids to look after. John had not been there at all, and we were excited to go. The hotel we stayed at was very close to downtown. We walked and enjoyed the sights along the way to Front St.
This and the next picture are along the way from the hotel and there is a mini golf course that the guys were looking at.
This waterfall is part of the golf course, and my camera does not do it justice. So pretty!
Brothers!
This building has a Chocolate store, and a store called Cured. The Chocolate store smelled amazing and had so many yummy things to look at (and that is all we did) well I took pictures too, so you can get an idea of all the yummies.
Aren't these some BIG peanut butter cups?
These are just some of the Candy Apples they have.
Down the street a bit more are the shop fronts. We toured them all without complaint from the boys.
We of course had to try on hats in the Hat Store. John was first. He is one of my jokers ;)
Next, Jared was emulating an opera singer.
Nick wanted to try this cap...
We came across this really great tea store called Cup & Kettle. The gals in there were so helpful and informative. I love what she put on the wall above the teas...
With caffeine
With out caffeine (this is how we say it at home)
I got some lose leaf teas, Market Spice (one of my absolute favs thanks to Anndi) and two new ones to try, Cinnamon Orange, and Sassafras. They all smell yummy. Momma is a very happy camper! The next thing we saw was the nutcracker shop. The boys have been working on a collection of nutcrackers for the past 5 years. I thought they would love to see this. I took pictures of some of my favorites. I love these guys' bushy beards...can't imagine why :D
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Jared found the Three Musketeers
When we first went into the store, John said "I wonder if they have any Star Wars nutcrackers?"
Guess what we found?
We all started to get hungry so we found this little Mexican food place. I know I know Mexican food in a Bavarian Village? But hey what can I say we LOVE Mexican food! Nicklas had this hate relationship with beans. He doesn't like them, so he asks for extra rice and no beans. Then midway through his taco low and behold he found one lonely cursed bean. I told him you don't have to eat it. This is how he left his plate...
It cracked me up and I thought I would share. We needed to walk off lunch, and we found this cool water fountain. So I thought it was time for another happy snap, and the boys played along, did I mention I love these guys?
John wanted to go to the Kris Kringle shop. That was really neat. they had a cool tree that snowed on itself. I tried to take a picture but it did not work so you have to use your imagination. They have a Santa in a sled hanging from the ceiling. Nick found this old school TV with the guts taken out of it and a Christmas Village inside it. I like it very much.
Jared did not like the elves in the place at all...
He said they were creepy looking LOL (I kind-of thought so too). All in all we saw a lot of the shops but not all of them. We really needed a few more days, but this time that will have to do. Next time we go we will have to see more sights and adventures. Till then enjoy the last picture of the boys playing with the luggage rack ( or whatever it is called )...
