Transitioning to Fall

Summer is such a wonderful time of year in the Pacific Northwest, but Fall always finds a way to steal my heart. Even though we officially have a few more weeks of Summer, it is starting to feel more like Fall as children head back to school and temperatures start to cool. As you set out to make your Autumn plans might I suggest an apple picking trip, a glorious hike or a drive to do some leaf peeping.

Christmas ships

Very few activities have we done every single year since we have been married, but Christmas ships are one of those tradition we have. Typically, we can count on cold weather, great views of Christmas lights, loads of holiday tunes, hot cocoa and a fun evening of singing and dancing aboard a ship. This year we planned on a very pregnant me, so although this year is turning out much different than we planned for we held each other a little tighter and did our best to keep our sorrow at bay.

Homemade tokens of love

I have always preferred giving a handmade card to a store bought one. I find it inspiring to come up with my own design each year. For Valentine's day Cameron and I have made it a tradition to exchange homemade valentines. Do you have any valentine traditions?

Holiday Tradition: Christmas Ships

This is our six consecutive year to go on the Christmas ships. Each year we get a photo before we board and we have enjoyed our ever increasing line up of photos. Based upon how bundled up we are, we can gauge either how cold or how unprepared we were each particular year. Every year but one, we have lucked out with clear skies and frigid temperatures. It feels good to create our own family traditions, things which are new and special to both of us.

This year coincided with Monday Night Football, which may have accounted for the lack of boats following us.

As we pulled away from the city, we saw this orange glow slowly appear on the horizon. It looked like a fire at first, but we quickly realized it was the moon. It was a glorious sight to behold and was the largest moon I have ever seen.

As you can see most people enjoy the view from inside, but that just means more room for us on the outside decks. Santa does not mind being outside, he is used to such temperatures at the North Pole.

Some years the Santa has been questionable at best, but this year Santa not only looked the part, but had a jolly disposition to match.

Our first stop was Winslow, it has a charming protected cove where several boats eagerly awaited our arrival. At each stop of the night the choir onboard does a performance.

Our second stop was the Don Armeni boat ramp along Alki Beach. It is always great fun looking back on the city all lit up.

While on the Christmas ships, I love to dance around on the deck and sing along to all the Christmas songs at the top of my lungs.

We look forward to many more years of riding the Christmas ships and making memories on the water.

Holiday Tradition: Strolling Around Pike Place Market at Night

Pike Place Market is more than just a great place to find produce. Around Thanksgiving it turns into a fanciful display of lights and Christmas magic. I love strolling the cobblestone streets as all the vendors close up for the evening. My favorite decorations are the fruit and vegetables in front of the Public Market sign.

These strings of lights and little banners remind me of being in Little Italy in NYC.

The market would not be complete without Rudolf the red nose pig leading the way.

 

Holiday Tradition: Wreath Making

A fun tradition we started last year was my Mom, my Grandma and I go to the West Seattle Nursery to make Christmas wreaths. The staff there is fantastic and our first year they were so patient with us and happy to hold our hands every step of the way. Now that we are seasoned wreath makers we were able to make these entirely on our own.

I love that my Grandma has been around for the past two holidays, she is an amazing lady who braved the cold, and wind all the while never complaining while she made her wreath. And check out my Mom.... she was such a whiz, she walked away with two charming wreaths for her home. Sometimes I take these two women for granted, but it is moments like these that I recognized how truly blessed I am to have them in my life. They are two of my biggest cheerleaders and they constantly show love and support to me.

Holiday traditions

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but add in lots of family traditions and it makes it all the more enjoyable. Every year the weekend after Thanksgiving we go snowshoeing, attend the Kirkland Tree Lighting and decorate our Christmas tree. I like to maintain a busy schedule, so all the holiday buzz is right up my alley.

Snowshoeing on Saturday was wet and the snow was not that great. However, regardless of the weather the scenery is still something out of a Christmas movie.

After snowshoeing we met up with my family for the Kirkland Tree Lighting. There was free hot cocoa and cider, free jingle bells and most importantly not a drop of rain to be seen anywhere.

Our first Santa spotting of the season. Guess Santa likes to shop downtown Kirkland too.

Getting ready to decorate the Christmas tree.