Oktoberfest!!

Willkommen von Oktoberfest!!

This morning we took the quite long (almost 3 hour) drive to Leavenworth, Washington.
A little info about Leavenworth (courtesy Wikipedia):

"Leavenworth was officially incorporated on September 5, 1906. A small timber community, it became the headquarters of the Great North Railroad in the early 1900s. The railroad relocated to Wenatchee in the 1920s, greatly affecting Leavenworth's economy.

The city struggled until 1962, when the Project LIFE (Leavenworth Improvement For Everyone) Committee was formed to transform the city into a mock Bavarian village to revitalize its economy. Owen and Pauline Watson, owners of a business on Front Street, formed the committee after visiting Solvang, California in 1958 and thought it was an excellent idea for Leavenworth."

So yeah. Basically, the entire town was converted into a life-size German-town.

Complete with Starbucks.

We decided to go visit for Oktoberfest... not for the beer...

Ok maybe a little for the beer

Because we really haven't visited outside our little area, other than seeing the Space Needle and Pike's Market. So off we went!

The main street

The first thing we did was browse through the shops. After arriving there, we realized we forgot to bring something for Nolan to fiddle with... he's not really grabbing or holding yet, but I hate to have him just sit and stare, so we went to a little toy shop and grabbed him a stuffed animal. Of course, it had to be one of Chococat's friends - Batz Maru!

Nolan wasn't as impressed as Mommy.
Oh and that adorable hat was made for me by a fellow midwife patient at Madigan Army Hospital! She made one for hers own kid too, but it had Army on it =)

When we headed to the main event, we were crestfallen to see that it was going to be $40 to get in! We didn't feel like paying that much... till I heard a lady holler that Active-Duty Military & Family get in for FREE!! YAY!

So we came in, sat down, ate some delicious Bratwurst, and watched Alpenband, who are based out of SACRAMENTO! I cheered when I heard that!!

After much wandering around (and waiting for Rich to finish his giant stein of beer!) It was time to head home!! Everyone thought Nolan looked adorable, and I would have to agree!! He loves sitting in his Mai Tai... this was the first time I had him facing out, and he didn't fuss once!