Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we celebrated with my parents which was a little bit different than how we normally celebrate. We started with the Christmas Eve Service at UPC which is always fun and entertaining. Payton loves it especially the angel who she talked to again when the service was over – she let Payton touch her wings. She think the Angel lives at Church where daddy works and is always looking for her.I guess in some ways  the angel is there a lot since her husband works at the Church too. Logan was pretty good, a little squirmy but he eventually fell asleep which made it easier for me.

 Payton loved talking to "the Angel" , She let Payton touch her wings.

 My sweet kids all dressed up - the sure look good!

Then we went home changed then ate some yummy pizza and bread sticks. Next we open presents which Payton was so excited for, she kept asking for which present were for her and she helped Logan open his presents, He liked his presents but he REALLY like the Little People Zoo that Payton got. I love the expressions on their faces so excited and real , it is fun to watch them open up the presents and see their real reactions.








Later that night we said good by to Jingles our Elf on the Shelf and told him we would see him again next year. Payton said “we will be sad when he is gone” She still asks if he came back every morning.

We got some cookies and Milk ready for Santa , then went to put out the reindeer food. Then it was time for bed so that Santa could come. Merry Christmas Eve.

A Magical December evening

The Saturday before Christmas we drove down to Redmond Town Center to enjoy a free horse drawn carriage ride with the kids. It was a little bit of a wait but so much fun to see what it would have been like to travel long ago. Payton had a great time and loved it , I think we will be doing this again next year. We even saw Santa and Mrs Claus crusing around handing out candy canes.

After the carriage ride we loaded up and headed to Bellevue Square for Snowflake Lane.Traffic was crazy and we didn’t know if we would make it on time but we were lucky and had my parents saving a spot for us. Payton loves to see all the different characters as we waited and then she loves to sing and dance to the music when it starts. It is so much fun and the “snow” gives it a magical feeling. Logan enjoyed the tambourine guy and the drummer too. When it was through we headed down to Wendy’s for a bite to eat. If you have not been I recommend it , it is so beautiful and fun for the kids and after ( or before) you could grab a bite to eat somewhere. It is a fun tradition we look forward to every year.

More Christmas fun!

Saturday Morning we went to Swanson’s nursery in Seattle to see Curly the Camel , his friend Moe the miniature donkey and some reindeer. Last year Payton got to feed Curly a marshmallow this year the kids didn’t get to find him and he had to eat bread. Payton loved watching Curly and Moe play , they were pretty funny chasing each other and giving each other little nips.

Moe getting Curly – they were so funny!

Later Payton watched the reindeer eat and talked to Santa. She was a little shy but it is amazing how much she has grown up since last year. She was so scared to talk to him last year and she talked to him by herself this year.




We had to get a family picture in the sleigh and Payton tried out the little red sled which was perfect for her. Then we headed inside to check out the train and decorations.

Watching the train

 


We had to go see the fish before we left  even Logan enjoyed the fish.  Then we headed to Starbucks for treats and a warm drink to end our morning of fun.

Payton and Grandma Verver looking at the fish

Christmas extravaganza–Downtown Seattle

This past Thursday we went downtown and made the rounds to our favorite holidays spots and added a new one. Our first stop was the Fairmont Olympic Hotel to see the Teddy Bear Suites. I love visiting this beautiful hotel every time I go I feel like I step back in time to 1924 when it was built. I always imagine what it would have been like back then and what beautiful parties they would have had there back in the day.

The Teddy bear suite is a fun place for kids to come check out some fun teddy bears. It is decorated by a designer and donations are given to Seattle Children’s Hospital. There are books to read while you are there too. Payton loves to give the Teddy Bears hugs and sit on the Giant Teddy bears lap. Logan was not as excited, maybe next year.













Our next stop was the Sheraton to see the Gingerbread houses. This was our first year going and it was a fun experience. I thought Payton would like it since she was older and she had made her own Gingerbread house earlier this month. The theme was train stations which was perfect for my Dad. The tree below has a train going around it , no it didn’t move but it was a cool tree. The train stations were real stations from all over the world from New York to New Zealand. The details and size was amazing! I can’t imagine how long it would take to make them but they are fun to look at and so creative.

Grand Central Station

Canadian station

London’s King Circle Station

Australian Station

New Zealand Station

North Pole station 

Happy girl she loved the gingerbread houses!

Our last stop was the Holiday Carousel which is located by Westlake shopping Center where the Holiday Tree is and the Huge Macy’s star. The wait was a little longer this year since we went on a day that a lot of Preschools decided to go too. Payton had fun and Logan just watched the lights and the horses go up and down.  I over that all of our stops were free ( all but the carousel) and that they money collected at each went to charity.





After a quick bite to eat and a stop at the Seahawks Pro Shop we headed home with a lot of great memories and two tired kids.