december daily {12.3.11}

The third day of December was all about getting the holiday decorating done! Dale and Aiden started with the outdoor lights in the morning. The past few years have been a struggle with these new fangled led lights. We just don't like them the same as the old school incandescent. We also let Amelia choose the multi colored lights instead of our usual plain and classic clear. I though marriage was about compromise but apparently raising children requires even more.
 Our holiday decorating was interrupted by Aiden's first basketball game of the season. This is the first year they keep score on the scoreboard and the Blue Lasers (wearing the brown shirts {long story}) and Aiden's team won with a final score 34-4!

The Christmas tree went up the a lot less struggle than last year. The kids did an excellent job putting the ornaments on the tree and I believe it will take less tweaking than years previous to put the finishing touches(arrangements) on the tree.

december daily {12.2.11}

The second day of December started with a run with a friend after dropping the kids off at school. Afterwards, we chatted and caught up over drinks at Starbucks. After Amelia's Christmas dance rehersal that evening we took Dale out for an early birthday dinner at the Hearthfire Grill. This is the second year in a row we have scored a window table to watch the lighted boat parade cruise by. For us it's the perfect way to watch the parade (toasty warm inside while enjoying good food). 

december daily {12.1.11}

The first day of December I wanted to start a new holiday tradition. I put out our nativity set last night so this morning the kids would see the reason we are celebrating all month. I want this to be the first Christmas decoration that goes up each year so we know the most important and real reason our family celebrates this season. Also I plan as a family to read these scriptures daily to countdown to Christmas.

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.