"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.