Leavenworth

After breakfast we drove down to Leavenworth to savor some of the delights of the town. We started off at the Christmas market where the kids made lanterns for the parade that evening and we got to enjoy some live entertainment. Looking back we probably should have done that a little later so we didn't have to cart them around all day, but we're always learning!

Thomas writing his letter to Santa

The kids with their lanterns

The entertainment!

Bavarian dress

Hayley and Josh went back to the cabin at lunch, while we looked round a couple more shops and then stopped for something to eat ourselves. The weather was pretty chilly and it kept trying to rain, but we wanted to hold out for the parade in the evening so that carrying those lanterns would be worth it.

We visited the wacky hat and toy store, but I think the best part for the kids was visiting the book store and picking out a new Junie B. Jones book. I laughed to myself about that because we could just have gone down to the local Barnes and Noble for that!

Loving Junie B.

We waited at the gazebo for the parade to finally start. Santa and Mrs Claus arrived with St. Nick and we waited for the presentation of the Christkind. She appeared across the street and then they fired some super loud cannons. We then walked with everyone else back to the Festhalle where the kids got a little treat.

Breaking those glo-sticks and lighting the lantern

We doubted them, but Josh and Hayley came back

Waiting at the gazebo

Walking in the parade

Getting some treats

The evening ended with games and airplane making. Thomas loved throwing the planes off the high ceiling. To be honest I was worried that one of them was going to fall over the side, but luckily there were no accidents. The boys really got into playing checkers while the rest of us had some fun with a little Twister. Mum was all for going in the hot tub again, but none of us could be bothered to get changed again - sorry mum we know how you loved it!