"All Aboard the Santa Train!"

We drove over to our neighbor town, North Bend to hop on the Santa Train, a holiday favorite to locals.  So much so that we had to get tickets well in advance since they sell out every year.  We road the train to the town of Snoqualmie which is known for its railroad and lumber history.   It has a small train museum including about 20 old train cars that are on display outside while they are being refurbished. 

Here are Tim and Nana waiting to board the train.

...on the train...excited to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

This isn't Santa, but one of his train helpers. After we got off the train, we waited in line for the real Santa. This is our view as we anxiouly awaited to go into this train shop.

All I want for Christmas is...

After visiting Santa we headed over to the hot chocolate train car.  We sat inside and enjoyed the cocoa, cookies, and warmth.  It was a cold day!

Fun times playing in and around all the trains!

We found this cool totem pole!

This huge "log" on a train car is a permanent fixture to Snoqualmie. 

On our ride back, another of Santa's train helpers came out to lead us in "Jingle Bells".  What a fun day!

Leavenworth, the Bavarian Christmas Village

Seems we have found ourselves drawn to this little Bavarian Village in the mountains about 2 hours from our home.  We've been there 3 times in the last 2 months, and each time we love it more!  After Becky, Audrey and I shopped till we almost dropped on Black Friday, we met up with Grandad and Grammy and spent the rest of the day in Leavenworth. 

 Not sure what it is with Sophia and funky glasses, but she always finds a pair and then always find Mom for a "cool" picture!

Look who we saw strolling downtown! 

Nana loved the lights and snowy mountains so close.  I took two pictures like this....but chose to post her smiliest one! 

Here is a preview of our Christmas card this year.  "Quick...take off your coats for a family picture!" Brrrr...at least everyone tried to smile a chilly smile.  Our little trip was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TURKEY WEEK!

We had 8 or our 9 home during the week of Thankgiving.  We missed you, Oliver!  I'm still hoping for that far reaching family picture of all of us together...but I still believe it will happen someday!  We did get to see Alisha, Zeb and kids, Vanessa and boyfriend, Steve, and Josh even flew up for a couple days from Florida!  It was his first time seeing us here in the Seattle area.  Being new to Seattle, we took Josh and everyone to Pike Place Market and the waterfront.  First, we stopped in our local crazy burger joint, Triple X....decked out in 50/60's stuff (and I mean LOTS of stuff, you can't even see the walls). 

Josh making mini planes for Celeste and Sophia to have a race see who's could fly farther.Vanessa and Steve.  It was really nice to meet Steve.  He got the 3rd (or 4th) degree from a few of us...but I think he survived.  Going with tradition, we played our Candy kiss Thankful game (Stolen from Stephanie Stewart many years ago) after Thanksgiving dinner.  We enjoyed sharing what each of us is grateful for. 

Nani and Gran joined us for Thanksgiving dinner.  What's dinner without your grandmas and great grandmas!?Nana was here from Pennsylvania for the last 2 weeks.  It was so great to have her.  She spent some of her time on puzzles, however we bought one that was so difficult that she and Audrey ended up putting it away.  Nana has since took it back home with her and will try again.

Sophia is feelin' pretty cool in the sunglasses Josh bought for her!

Celeste's first year of choir

Celeste LOVES to sing.  She was so excited to learn they offered an early morning choir at her school this year.  She goes every Wed. and Friday mornings an hour before school starts.  Her first concert was on Veteran's Day.  Since then she has had 2 more concerts where she joined with Audrey's middle school choir at the Fall City Tree Lighting ceremony and at their holiday concert.

Young Women "Night of the Stars"

Young Women "Night of the Stars" was a great Evening of Excellence for the Young Women in our ward. 

Becky was the "star" of the show.  For one of her Laurel YW projects she planned, coordinated and conducted the evening.  The girls showcased their talents which included artwork, photo slideshow, piano, singing and so much more.  The evening was modeled after the Oscars and girls dressed in their fanciest attire. 

Becky's talent was putting together the evening's activities and Audrey played and sang "Beauty and Beast".  This is Audrey and her friend, Maryn...a fellow Beehive.

Joshua and Mia 11-7-09

It's official, Josha and Mia are married! After being together 6+ years, they tied the knot on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida. Tim, Becky and I flew down on Friday, enjoyed all the festivities on Saturday, and flew back to Seattle at 5am on Sunday! Can you say "tired?" But, it was all worth it. What a happy, happy day!Cedric, Mia's dad, walking the bride down the aisle. Isn't she beautiful!?The bridal party

Becky and Vanessa enjoyed being 2 of Mia's bridesmaids. Of course, Giovanni was a cute Ring Bearer. It was so nice to see Stephanie (Josh and Vanessa's half-sister) who lives in Florida. She and Becky are about the same age and these 3 girls hung out all day!Nobody told 8-year-old Giovanni that the love of his life is also his Aunt Vanessa. He just loved giving hugs!The first dance

After the wedding we all headed over to the Metrowest Golf Club for a great reception. Josh and Mia went all out! We had a nice dinner, DJ and dancing. They even had a second Carribean DJ that played some fun Island music. Mia and her family are from the Island of Dominica. We enjoyed getting to know much of her family better. Vanessa caught Mia's bouquet. Will she really be the next to be married?

We couldn't believe how much Aidan had grown since we saw him in June. Aunt Becky couldn't resist holding her sweet Nephew!
Toward the end of the reception, Josh's Uncle Bobby whispered in the DJ's ear that the famous "Midnight Magic" was in the room! For anyone who didn't know, Tim used to be a DJ in the 80's in NYC. He was actually pretty famous, DJing for parties all around the city when hip hop was born. Although scratching on the turntable has been replaced with computer technology, Midnight Magic will always be remembered in important circles! The DJ brought him up and asked Tim why he ended his DJ career. Tim answered, "kids and family." The DJ responded, "Well I guess that's why I never got married!" So here's to kids and family!! We wouldn't change a thing...(But, he's still my "Midnight Magic!")

They're creepy and they're kooky...

Check out the creepy's this year...This Halloween we had some ups and downs, some tears and some laughs...But, the candy certainly wasn't in short supply! Becky's crazy Jack.

We all put a little more effort into our carvings this year and convinced Becky and Dad that it just wasn't Halloween if they didn't carve a pumpkin! Neither of them like to get their hands dirty....what wimps! After all was said and done, our creations turned out pretty darn good! Shhhh, don't tell, I think Becky and Dad even enjoyed it! (a little)

"Scooby, Dooby, Doo!"

Good job, Dad!

Natty and her preschool buddies.

I was in charge of the party and I think it went well with a Halloween Cake Walk, spider web and spooky craft necklaces, and decorating cookies.

The Vampire

All was fine and dandy until Celeste got dressed in her vampire costume complete with teeth and blood. Natty was so scared she almost refused to go trick-or-treating with us.

In fact, Natty and I walked on opposite sides of the street to stay as far away from the vampire as possible! Everytime Celeste would get into the car, out came the tears. We are still hearing all about it a week later!

Disco Diva Audrey

Need I say more? You go girl!!

Little Miss Sophia Spider

Vanessa, does this costume look familiar? You never know what you might find in the costume box...our own personal Halloween store. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!