The Unexpected

 A quick back story....Starbucks is having frappuccino Happy Hours this week.  From 3pm-5pm 1/2 off Fraps.  Loren's store had so many people taking advantage of the incredible deal that they ran out of a bit of product and needed to borrow some from another Starbucks.  However, the closest one that had what they needed was in Leavenworth, a 1+ hour drive away.  Loren ran there and back on Monday.  To repay them, he had to return the product on Wednesday.  Grace & I decided we wanted to go with so we  tagged along making a family fun day out of it.  Loren found someone to cover his shift, took a personal day and thanks to milage our trip there and back was covered.  Oh Happy -unexpected-  Wednesday!

 If you've never been to Leavenworth, this is one of those places you must go to in your life time. A place to add to your Bucket List or Life List as I like to call it.

It was an old run down lodging and sawmill industry that was brilliantly turned into Bavarian themed village that has "become a pillar of the tourism industry in the Pacific Northwest."

 We walked along the downtown area, stopping in all the neat shops.  Our favorite was Kris Kringl, the most spectacular Christmas store we've ever seen before.  After exploring the town we chose Gustav's as our lunch stop.  Burgers always hit the spot.

After lunch we piled in the car and drove around looking for unique roads to drive down.

We ended up finding field after field of luscious fruit trees in full bloom. 

We thought it would be neat to find a place to explore while on our way back from Leavenworth.

 We enjoy exploring places that are not often traveled....

....finding roads that have been washed away

.....and, doing things with Grace that are slightly dangerous that end up teaching her
a sense of grand accomplishment in the end.

 These photos do not do this hill justice. It was so steep I could not go up it with my camera in fear I would fall and break it.  I stayed below and cheered them on.  There was one moment I got a bit nervous as they tripped over a rock and it came tumbling down, down, down-which could have been one or both of them.  But, I let the fear go and just trusted they would be fine. And, they were.

Victory!  Can you see them at the very top of the hill, arms raised in joy.

It was so steep that Grace had to hang on to Loren's back as they came down in a
zigzag motion so not to fall or slip down the hill.  Thank goodness
they had their walking sticks. 

"Go Team Statema!!"  
What we say on all of our adventures.

And, that was our Wednesday.

When we got home, we had 1 hour until our small group (5 families total: 10 adults, 7 kiddos and 1 on the way) showed up at our home for dinner and fellowship.  I must say we all slept well that night.  It was a long and wonderful day.



Now, skip forward to Friday, May 13th.
Another busy yet unexpectedly wonderful day.

We played with moonsand; making cupckes, icecream and candies.  We went to Jazzercise.  And, then we headed to the Touch A Truck event.

Grace did so well.  She made it 3/4 the way through the event.  Then it got a bit too loud and we headed home.  I was very proud of her.  She stayed so calm.  She didn't cry or panic when it got too loud, just calmly told me that she was done and would like to go home.  Way to go Grace!

When we got home we came out side to play and found this.....

Our fruit trees all in bloom and smelling of perfume.

Sure it was only just barely 69 degrees out today but my girl wanted to play in her pool-for the first time.

and, she wanted to acquaint herself with the slip and slide.

The view from the kitchen while I cook and do the dishes.
I love this view.  

A good sign that summer in on the way.  

So glad spring is finally starting to show it's face.

After we had some outside play time it time to head out again. We dropped Grace off at a friends and headed to Ellensburg Christian School.  We got called in for an interview.  It went exceptionally well.  We shared our hearts and lives and desires for our daughter.  We were comfortable and laid back and felt at home there.  We will know after next Thursday whether or not we are accepted into the school.  Oh unexpected peace.

After our meeting, Tetta joined us for dinner & game night.

While waiting for dessert Grace colored Tetta a picture and had him close his
eyes the entire time so it was a surprise. He is such a trooper.  

They have a very silly and special relationship.
Even with the language barrier they seem to understand each other.

We taught Tetta Gracie's favorite game, I Spy Eagle Eye and he WON!
Go Tetta!

Grace helping Tetta find a hidden pictures 

And, then my little warrior princess wanted to play the Wii.
She kicks butt at Sword Play.  Look at her face.  She is so serious. 

Girl friend won every single game.  

It was such a simple and enjoyable evening and a perfect way to kick off our weekend.  
Loren has two days off. The only thing we have planned is the Farmers Market & Children's Day which both take place Saturday morning (I am going to be at a booth at the Children's Day event advertising my dance class-praying it doesn't rain as we will be outside).   Other than that we are just going to play things by ear and enjoy our family time, even if it means staying in doors all day playing games and reading together.

Enjoy your weekend.
Make every moment count.