Last day in Papa

Today we started the day by going to Jake's daycare again to get him used to the place. Then we went to a town an hour away called Veszprem to get Crystal and Jacob's visas. We looked around the town and ate lunch. The pictures below are from our visit there. 

This is a picture of the typical Hungarian woman. About 75% of the women dye their hair in this "European red" color. The other 25% dye their hair some other color. 

This is Crystal, Jake and I in front of the castle gate. There are a bunch of shops or churches along this walk.

We stopped at a sidewalk cafe for lunch. Jake played on a near by court area while we waited for our pizza. The pizza was really good!

Jake got to have ice cream. They sell a lot of ice cream here.

This picture did not turn out very good but it was of a thatched roof. It was made entirely of straw stacked to the thickness you see here.

This was just some guy I met near a theater.

This is the ruins of a castle in a town called Dobronte.

This last shot is of a one of the big churches.

A little look at Papa, Hungary

Here are a few pictures from around Papa. This is one of the 17 Catholic churches in Papa.

These next 3 shots are from what is called the "Walking District". It has lots of little shops and restaurants.

All the buildings and houses are brightly colored.

The Graduation

Here are some pictures for my graduation and the party that followed. Here is a picture of me during the "hooding" ceremony. The master's students received hoods that represented the university and the course of study.

 Torrin and Jordan were very proud of their grandma.

Kimberly was overwhelmed with emotion.

Kevin was relieved that I finished so things could get back to normal around the house.

Angelita was a huge help with arranging my graduation party and just about everything else in my life.

The party that followed was blessed by a visit from Maggi, Tom, and David from Bainbridge Island. A rare journey this far from the Island. Susan, Kelly, Michael from the Tavenner bunch also attended as did Davey, Paula, and Quinn of the O'Keefe clan.

In Hungary

I made it through a very busy weekend. On Saturday I attended the commencement ceremony for the University of Phoenix and came home to host a great graduation party. Kimberly and Angelita were extremely helpful in getting all the food ready and cleaning up. Thanks Kim and Angie, I was a little distracted. Kevin spent most of the party cooking steak and chicken skewers on the barbeque. They were yummy!

Sunday morning I got up and started the long 2 day journey to Papa Hungary to visit Crystal. The plane ride was not too bad. I got a little sleepy for the last leg of it. Crystal picked me up in Budapest and drove me to her house in Papa. It takes 2.5 hours to get to Papa from Budapest so I really appreciate her taking the long trip to get me with Jake. 

Crystal and Jayson have a cute house with lots of brightly colored walls. They painted the bedrooms white for her.

Her couch, recliner, and Jake's bed arrived today. I put the recliner together and Crystal helped me put Jake's bed together. It was a lot of work. It is after midnight here. We just finished his bed. Tomorrow her desk arrives. Most of the rest of the furniture will be here in a few weeks. 

It has been raining nonstop since I got here. It is unusual for this time of year. Lucky me.

Got to go to bed now. Pictures to follow.

Good Bye Crystal, Jayson, Jacob, Sonny, and Brodie

We spent this last weekend saying our sad goodbyes to Crystal, Jayson and Jacob. Sunday they moved to Hungary. Saturday Kimberly, the girls and Kevin and I went to spend the last few hours with Crystal and her family.  Friends and family filtered in and out during the day to wish them well. 

Crystal and Jayson took 13 bags and the 2 dog kennels with them.

Kimberly saying her goodbyes to Jacob at the airport

Brodie ready for his long airplane ride.

Sonny mellow after taking his doggy downers.

Goodbye Crystal, Jayson and Jacob. We will miss you every minute of every day until you return.