Seattle holiday week end part two

Our second day in Seattle we thought we would out smart all the people not staying downtown and hit the Nordstrom Santa right when it opened. We weren't so lucky.  While waiting in line we found out you had to make an appointment or it would be  a 2 hour wait. We gave them our phone number for an appointment and went to Macy's. No wait, the kids walked right up to Santa, had a quick visit and we were done before 10am! Next was brunch at Etta's and a stroll through Pike Place Market. The kids loved all the cool vendors and got personalized bracelets. We also checked out the super gross gum wall! Aiden and Amelia made their contribution to Seattle history. We made good on our Science Center membership and had our third visit of the year. We all liked Happy Feet 2 on the IMAX screen. We finished off the day watching the Apple Cup at the Fox Sports Grill. Then it was back to the hotel, a quick swim and bedtime! 

Seattle holiday week end

The day after Thanksgiving we woke up the kids bright and early and headed to Seattle for a fun holiday week end. First stop, the Macy's holiday parade! We arrived early enough to secure a front row seat. I'm not a big parade person but I do enjoy a good Christmas parade. The marching bands sounded great and the highlight was a Frango chocolate landing in my lap. After the parade we were starting to feel a little chilly and luckily were able to check into our hotel early. When we had warmed up it was back out to take a ride on the holiday carousel. While waiting in line a very 'thoughtful' man gave Amelia a duck whistle. I think it was the background' soundtrack' of our entire weekend.  At Seattle Center we checked out a giant Christmas village train display. Then it was time to try our 'blades of glory' on the ice at Fisher Plaza. Dale knows how to skate, I don't know how to skate, Aiden doesn't know how to skate, and Amelia doesn't know how to skate. It was a lil comical and scary at the beginning but after a couple hours Aiden and I had achieved beginner skater status. Amelia was a speed demon with the walker, of course. That evening, we watched the giant Christmas tree lighting at Westlake Center and the Macy's firework show. It was an entirely exhausting but fun filled day.

Syre museum field trip

Amelia had a field trip to the Syre Museum last Wednesday. It was a double bonus because both Mom and Dad were able to attend. The kiddos learned about the Native Americans in our region and were able to try out some fun artifacts.

christmas to do list 2011

a list of things I would love to do between Thanksgiving and New Years this year....

see the Macy's holiday parade in Seattle
take the kids to the Nordstrom Santa{Macy's}
take the kids on the Polar Express Train (decided to skip the 3 hour drive)
simple holiday decorating that does not take an entire week!
listen to lots of Christmas music
take Amelia to see the Nutcracker (Amelia declined while we were in Seattle maybe when she's older)
go sledding
drink a hot toddy
do the Jingle Bell run with my girls
watch Amelia's Christmas dance show
make some yummy treats
make a difference for some one's holiday season
enjoy our annual holiday brunch
send out our cards and enjoy the holiday cards we receive
drive around and look at Christmas lights with the kids in their jammies
'make' our Costco gingerbread house
cookie exchange with my book club
holiday port festival (skipped it this year)
Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach
take the kids to a movie during the school break
go to the cabin
go skiing/snowboarding as a family!

december daily

I finished up last years's album a few months ago. I am finding the project less daunting each year.
This year I made an even smaller album and am hoping to try one picture a day to capture the season instead of my usual 6-10! I know a few friends that are planning to do this project again and would love to have you join me as well!