Bavarian Blast!

We got up and relaxed. Then we got dressed and headed out on the highway and drove to Leavenworth, Washington. It is about 2 hours away, probably considerably less if some of the idiots we have in this state would stay off the road...that is my roadrage face...I think Cora was attempting to interject some levity. I don't usually have that much of a potty mouth...unless I am behind the wheel. Why in the hell would you drive 35mph on a highway? Next time I go over that stretch of highway, I want to bring anti-idiot missiles!

We got there, and it was beautiful. The weather was in full cooperation and made for a great day! If you are not familiar with it, Leavenworth, Washington has a Bavarian/Alpish theme. It is a tourist town, but great to visit.

Since it is a German theme, we had to have a beer in the beer garden...See how Cora hides her beer? (behind a gorgeous smile)

Mostly we just walked around the shops and bought things.

My favorite was the Hat Shop. What do you think? British Bobby?

Or drunken pirate?

Cora even got into the fun...I think she is a Mongolian Empress.

Or there is this look...I thought it particularly cute!

And after a beer or two, Cora will put anything on...OK, I put her up to it...Hats were fine,

But put her in a candy shop and look at her eyes!

It is a pretty little town. It had a pretty little girl...

Look how she glows!

But even glowing princesses need a pick-me-up...here she is waiting for me to get her coffee from...

During the day we ran into the director of our Adoption Agency. They suggested we try some huge apples sold at a nearby fruit stand...here is Cora walking back to the car.

closer...

Holy Crap! That's Close!

We stopped on our way back and tried to get some pictures of the Fall foliage in the fading light.

We made it home with nary a scratch! Tired. We got some momentos, but mostly just enjoyed each other's company and a fun day away from the house that refuses to clean itself while we are gone. Stupid house.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful way to celebrate 18 months of being logged in in China.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Carrie!!!!!

Get Well Mom!!

So, my dad called yesterday. My mom is in the Hospital. Apparently she has Pancreaitis...pancre-itis...pan-cre-itis...well, something is wrong with her pancreas. They are keeping her in the hospital for a couple days for observation and to get her back on track. So, Mom, get well soon!

Today is also our 15 month anniversary for being logged-in in China. The last month has been a bit hard, but things are looking up with the possibility of a Burundi Baby showing up around the house sometime in the near future! (I don't mean one morning we will walk in the living room and see Burundi Baby just sitting on the coffee table like a flower arrangement...but wouldn't it be cool if you could get your baby fed-exed? Or FTDed? Ding-Dong. "well, who could that be?" "Good Morning sir, I have a delivery for Cora and Jim, sign here please." "Honey, it's here! I forgot we had ordered one! Its the Burundi Baby!" Or, Ding-Dong. "Here you are sir." "Honey! Burundi sent us a Baby Bouquet!!" "Ohhhh, they shouldn't have, but I am glad they did! ...should we put it in water?" )

Today should be a nice day. I am fairly sure I will be mowing. I should have a chance at having a good lunch. Psych is on and we may go down and visit my mom...they are taking her off of food and water, replacing it with an IV...do you think chocolates would be a cruel gift? Yeah, probably better go with something else....