Oktoberfest in Leavenworth

October 5-7, we went with a group of couples to stay at Jacob's grandparent's cabin near Leavenworth. It was opening weekend of Oktoberfest, so we went into town to join in the festivities.

Devin, Chris, Amanda, Jacob

Maia, Ben, Lee, Colby

German beer anyone?

You look awfully happy...how many have you had?

BBQin some dinner at the cabin.

Dinner is served.

A little cards.

The Helpful Cat

Mo helps out while I'm on the computer..."I've got to keep my eye on that mouse"

Oh, I'm sorry, am I blocking your view? Well, you'll just have to look at me instead!

Paris

We loved Paris! The weather was a bit cooler, everyone was nice (contrary to popular opinion) and they sights were fantastic!

Of coures, the Eiffel Tower

At night it twinkles for 10 minutes at the top of each hour. This was set up for the Millenium celebration and continues to awe onlookers.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The infamous gargoyles

Beautiful Rose Window

Saint Chapelle Church with its stain glass walls, each telling a story from the bible.

The Louvre...any DeVinci Code readers will recognize this picture from the book.

The Crown Jewels. That's a 40 carot diamond in the middle, situated behind about 40 layers of glass.

The Mona Lisa, not as impressive as it's made out to be...it's actually quite small and behind 40 layers of glass of course.

King Louis IV and his Palace of Versaille

Lovely gardens

This guy really liked to show off...His famous Hall of Mirrors

What a stud!

Let them eat cake!

The Musee d'Orsay was built in an old train station. It houses a large collection of Impressionist artwork.

The Arc de Triomphe

Of course we went up!

Looking down into the traffic roundabout nightmare...the only roundabout where the cars in the circle have to yield to incoming cars. And check out the Smart Car, how cute, playing with all of the big kids.

Looking down the Champs de Elysee

The obelisk that they stole from Egypt.

Sacre Couer Church sits upon a hill overlooking Paris.

The view from our hotel balcony, SO romantic!

Hey, it's Jacob Street!

Florence

Me at the Ponte Vecchio, Florence's most famous bridge, overlooking the Arno River.

Oh yes, the Candy Shop!

We came across a street parade one evening.

Baptistery Doors...Michelangelo said its bronze doors were fit to be the gates of paradise.

At this delicious restaurant we were serenaded by accordian players.

The Duomo -this Gothic cathedral has the 3rd longest nave. It was built with a hole in the roof, awaiting its dome...oh, but the dome technology hadn't been invented yet, no matter, they had confidence that someone would figure it out eventually and then they'd be ready for it.

Wow, that's a tall bell tower...should we climb it? Oh, why not, so up we went 270 feet and 415 steps into Giotto's Campanile!

Overlooking Florence

Midway up...

And we made it!

Yes, the Red Garter is hosting a Beer Pong competition for those who are interested:)