Puyallup Fair & Sunset Dinner Cruise!

Last year I had such a fun time taking the youth to the Puyallup Fair that I decided to take them again this year. We met at the church at 9:30am on Saturday, September 20th and took the church van down to Puyallup. This time we had more kids that were able to come so that made it even more fun. One thing that was a bummer was that Michael wasn't feeling well that day so he ended up staying home to rest since we had plans later that night and he didn't want to have to cancel them. 

First stop was the Starbucks across the street from the Gold Gate. 

The student all had their tickets and I had an educator ticket. A couple of the students even had extra student tickets. We asked a group if they needed tickets and they didn't. There really weren't a lot of people coming through the gate at the same time we were so we just left all the tickets sitting on this statue thing for people to grab if they needed them. 

The first place we headed was the free archery place. I didn't take as many pictures this time around. Some of us did archery and then we went over and play chess. A couple people were still playing chess so Lina, Amy and I sat with a guy at another booth and learned how to play Bridge. It was a lot of fun! 

This whole area had been under construction last year so the Sasquatch had been off to the side. This time around he was in this courtyard area right when you walked in. 

 

125 years of the Puyallup Fair....still not gonna call it The Washington State Fair. 

We did all sorts of stuff during the day. We spent a ton of time in the Showplex wandering around enjoying the samples and finding things to buy. Ella and Justine bought Jibbitz for their Crocs. Jack bought a 3D printed monkey for him and Zeke. Lina and Amy bought this container of fun cute mini trinkets. I bought dip mixes and a ring. 

We did go and check out the piglets...they're so cute! 

We were trying to find other small animals like bunnies or guinea pigs, but I don't think they were at the fair that day. It was the second to the last day the fair was going on. We did see this plastic cow and it didn't have a sign on it saying you couldn't get on it so Ella climbed up for a picture. Jack tried to get on it after Ella, but it wasn't anchored to the ground so it almost tipped over. Jack inadvertently went cow tipping! Thankfully it didn't actually tip all the way over.  

For lunch we all got our own things at different times. I got my normal order which is a gyro...yummy!

I told the kids that it's pretty much a rip off to pay for tickets to go on the rides, but a couple of them had free ride tickets so they were able to go on a few rides. The lines were crazy nutso though so that limited the rides they were able to go on. They definitely had fun though! 

As it got closer to the time we needed to leave we decided to get all the desserts we wanted. Lina had some leftover food tickets that she gave me so I got my Dole Whip for free which was super cool. 

Ella and Justine got a crepe and a Dole Whip.

We headed out around 3:30pm since Michael and I had plans. I got the kids back to the church and then Jack and Ella took Justine home. While I hurried and drove the church van back to Pastor's house and then drove home. I had just enough time to change clothes and get freshened up for the next fun adventure. 

Michael's birthday gift to me was a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Union! 

It was such a gorgeous night spent with a gorgeous guy! 

Michael paid for us to have a table at the window. 

 

He ordered a charcuterie tray to be brought out once we got there. It was so yummy....I love cheese! They also gave us each a glass of champagne. 

 

The boat pulled away from the dock at 7pm. The sky was so pretty with the city in the background. 

Our table was on the first floor but once we started moving we walked upstairs and went out on the upper deck to get some pictures. 

Lake Union is such a busy lake....there was all sorts of activity on the water. Sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards, party boats...we even saw one of those hot tub boats! 

I wore my jean jacket and it was enough to keep me warm while we were outside. We really couldn't have asked for a nicer night. 

I forgot to take pictures of our main dishes. Michael ordered one chicken entree and one beef that way I could choose which one I wanted. I actually ate a little of both meals. Poor Michael still wasn't feeling the greatest so his appetite wasn't what it normally was. He ended up going to Urgent Care the next day and got some antibiotics that thankfully they helped him get better in a few days. 

We each got a piece of cheesecake with our dinner, but Michael also ordered something special since it was my birthday. 

Chocolate covered strawberries! They were so so yummy! 

During our boat ride we cruised past the boat house community where the Sleepless in Seattle boat is. We also went into Portage Bay and through the Montlake Cut over into Lake Washington. By that point it was pretty dark out, but fun to see all the lights shining from the houses and buildings. It was also nice just getting to sit and chat with my hubby.

It such a fun day spending time at the fair with the youth and then getting to go on a date night with Michael doing something that we wouldn't normally do. Great memories for sure!