Heidemann Family Vacation

This past weekend we had the Heidemann family vacation in Levenworth, WA. We had a new addition this year, Kate's boyfriend Jared, but he fit right in with all of the craziness! We went to Levenworth 1 1/2 years ago and had so much fun we decided to repeat the same trip!

We left Thursday morning and headed to the Kahler Glen Resort where we had rented the exact same townhouse. We were a little limited this year trying to fit fun in between Louis' naps but we did pretty well. Thursday evening we went to Wenatchee State Park and took turns taking the kayaks out (we didn't last long though because it was pretty cold). It turned out to be pretty cold the entire weekend so we didn't get to play with the kayaks as much as Mike would have liked.

Friday, Mike and I kayaked in the lake in the morning and then we all took a hike in the state park after Louis' nap. We decided to have Louis' birthday party in the afternoon because he goes to bed so early. The party was complete with presents, cake, hats and those blower things. My mom made Louis a mini cake all for himself! We sat him on the table expecting him to dig right in but he was pretty tentative. He licked his fingers with icing on them and then I gave him two bites of cake but he didn't seem very impressed so I took the cake away and gave him green beans instead (just kidding - but I wanted to) Louis needed lots of help opening his presents but he got some fun toys - an activity table, a dump truck with two dirt ball that look so much like poop balls we almost didn't buy it for him, but of course, they ended up being his favorite things and he crawls around the house with them in his hands! My dad didn't feel good the entire day and had to stay behind while the rest of us went into town for the "best Oktoberfest on the west coast". It was awesome -great music and beer and food.

Saturday, my dad was back to his old self but my mom woke up with terrible back pain. She could barely walk. We drove to the Rocky Beach Dam in Chelan and toured the facility and then picnicked at a park before walking along a paved trail that follows the Columbia River. Unfortunately my mom had to stay in the car.

Sunday morning Mike talked me into Kayaking with him before we packed up. I got into the car and almost passed out when the temperature gauge said 22 degrees! What is wrong with him! THEN he makes us go down the river instead of kayaking around the lake. When I say "it looks pretty shallow" he says "you go first" so of course, I get stuck on the rocks and have to get out of my kayak and walk it up the river against the current in 22 degrees. (I did have a dry suit on, but STILL...)

We had some great dinners - Kate and Jared made Guiness Pie. Mike and I made sausage penne pasta (with mom and dad helping too). We played Rummikube and watched "The Office" season 5 that Mike got me for an early b-day present.

Sunday, Mike, Kate, Anne and I stopped by Seattle on our way back to Tacoma to give Jared the abbreviated "Heidemann/Germani Tour of Seattle" we went to the bookstore at Pioneer Square, and walked through the market picking up some salmon for dinner.

Anne had to leave Sunday night, Kate and Jared Monday morning and my parents on Tuesday. Unfortunately my mom's back still isn't better and she can barely walk or sit. We are really sad about it. It was so nice to have the whole family back together again!

Lots of Pictures!