Santa ... Winter Train & Village ... and Lights

12.15.12

We had three festive outings planned out for this day. We were up, ready and out the door by 9:15am. To some it would be overwhelming but for us it was exciting. You have to expect delays, crowded streets and venues, and having a plan b {just in case} during the holidays. Other people just like you are out wanting to join in on the Christmasy fun too so if you want to enjoy yourself you've got to mentally prepare.

One thing I can say I have done since becoming a mom is to take a lot of pictures. I have about a dozen albums of my daughter from when she was a newborn to her first three years of life. If it wasn't for all those pictures I would have forgotten half of what we've done. There were also times when I didn't take pictures and you know what? I regret it because I missed a lot of special moments. One can still be behind the lense and also partake in the festivities. Now, I've learned to do both.

We first drove to Sumner, WA. We were told that there's The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse that decorates their store for Christmas and where Santa visits on the weekends. They don't charge for the picture you take with him but they do suggest you leave a small donation. Besides selling furniture this warehouse also sold lots of sweet goodies including fudge. We were also told that if we were planning on going to get to the store an hour before Santas arrival because the line gets pretty long.

You will see these type of bridges throughout Washington. I especially find them neat looking because I had not seen let alone driven through one in my life until now.

I totally fell in love with several furniture pieces. I love unique furniture. I loved the sleigh table and benches, the sleigh coffee table, and the cart looking bench ... this one would totally look cute in a front porch. They also had awesome outdoor furniture and stools.

 

These vintage art pieces are cool!

 

We purchased several flavored fudge squares. Jacob and the kids love anything with peanut butter. I'm not a peanut butter fan. I was in the mood for some chocolate caramel fudge. It was delicious!

Making our way towards the back of the store where Santa hangs out.

Once we got to the back of the store Jacob went and stood in line. We had about 45 minutes to kill before Santa arrived. The neat thing was that there were several things the kids could do to entertain themselves while we waited. They had three train sets and villages, a coloring and toy area, and a little theatre area where they were showing Polar Express.

Peeking over at Santas house.

Jacob keeping busy ... playing bejeweled.

 

These were some huge stuffed animals. Riley didn't care to pose infront of one. He was more interested in playing with the penguins.

 

A few minutes before Santa was set to make an appearance. The line sure got long fast. Thank goodness we didn't have to wait for hours.

 

Up next.

Priceless ... and not surprising.

He cried last year so when he freaked out this year it made me laugh. I don't mind it one bit that he's crying in this picture. I think it's hilarious and once he's grown he'll get a kick out of it. I'm hoping he'll get better each year and eventually stop crying. It would be embarrassing if he would still cry after four years old.

Look at his face. Looks like he just got done getting shots, lol. He looks spent.

And as we were walking out we saw a horse drawn carriage. Isn't it neat?!

The day seemed to get colder and colder by the minute. Riley needed a diaper change. Good thing it was only pee. Don't know about you but I personally prefer to change my child in the car or stroller instead of in the public restrooms changing table. Even though I carry my own disposable liners I still cringe when I lay him down to change him. I think I've only used a public changing table like three times. So since I have a truck I had to open the tail gate, I place a thick throw or blanket down on it that I always keep in the truck and I change him. I remember this particular diaper change. It was super fast ... like twenty seconds fast since it was so cold. Time to head over to downtown Seattle.

*****

It was very congested in downtown as you can imagine. Not only because of people being out and about for the holidays but because there was construction going on and some streets were closed. But after we got out of that mess it was a lot better. Also, it was our first time to drive in this area so it was a bit confusing. We stopped for gas and as I looked to my right I could see the Space Needle. It's so neat to finally see it in person, from the ground that is.

It was lunch time. Jacob is a huge fan of the McRib and you know it's only around for the holidays so he wanted to get one and that pretty much meant that we all had to eat at McDonald's. That's fine. Only if it's once in a while. Riley had never had a happy meal so we got him one. I was more excited than he was ... because I love happy meals even now as an adult. But my little guy is not me. He ate a few bites of one fry and about three hamburger pieces I layed out for him, after that he didn't eat anymore.

After we ate we made our way into Seattle Center. It's a big area where they have different buildings ... i.e. museums, the space needle, the Armory where we were headed and where there are more restaurants {that we didn't know about before we stopped at McDonalds}, the monorail boarding station, a fountain, large grassy areas, art work, sports complex, and other buildings. During the holidays they change it a bit and it is called Seattle Center Winterfest. It's six weeks of festive, fun filled entertainment. They have an ice rink, a winter train and village at the Armory center, warm roasted nuts and other fine foods, performers, ice sculpting on Saturdays, and live music.

We didn't go up the space needle. Waiting to do that on a different day when it's a nice clear day.

The {backside} of the EMP Museum - the world's first museum devoted to the thought-provoking ideas and experiences of science fiction.

There was a steady drizzle and it was breezy. In other words, it was COLD! I had to continously wipe the camera lense from drizzle.

Monorail station.

At the Armory Center. Glad to walk inside where it was warm. Brr! We got some Starbucks and walked over to the winter train and village.

I really liked the village. They did such a great job. It is a turn of the century village with garland homes and buildings, snowy streets and a moving model train. It looked so cozy. I would totally like to live in a village just like this one. Do you think some still exist today?

Riley liked it too. He loved waiting for the train to come around. He would get excited and pointed at it and blabber. All I understood was "twain!"

 

After spending some time looking at the train and village we walked around the Armory center. Saw several restaurants that we would like to try then stopped at this snowman photo op. Several people were also looking at him and smiled at him and that's when he covered his face in embarrassment.

 

 

Blurry but I captured a fun sweet moment between Sydna and Nathan.

 

We braved the drizzle and cold and walked outside again. We wanted to see what other things there was to see. There's a Catholic church nearby that we walked into real quick. I'm Christian Catholic so I felt the need to walk inside and say a little prayer and to thank God for his blessings and protection.

 

Then we walked past KeyArena. I believe this is where the Supersonics used to play when they had a basketball team years ago. Across the way from KeyArena there's a huge fountain called the International Fountain. During the summer months they have the Fountain of Lights series where they project film and video, add music to it, and a live DJ. They also have a beer garden {yeah!}. I really would like to come back for this.

 I love my husband!

 

International Fountain Pavillion

 

I asked Jacob and the kids if they would like to ice skate but none of them did. We are just not into that. We prefer tubing, snowshoeing {which I hope we get to do}, hiking, and sightseeing.

 

The Seattle Center is super neat and there is lots to do. Plus the Puget Sound is close by. Seriously, there is TONS to do here in WA! I like that ... a lot!! 

Upon researching on where to go see neighborhoods all decked out in Christmas lights we came across Candy Cane Lane on Ravenna Blvd in Seattle. So off to Candy Cane Lane we go. 

 

*****

 

When we arrived at Candy Cane Lane it was 6:35pm and there were quite a bit of cars and people walking to it.

Candy Cane Lane is a quaint village that consist of 23 houses built in the 1920's. An english country village with homes made of brick with arched doorways and tiny garages hidden in the back. We liked the neighborhood more than the decorations. Honestly, given that we've lived in several states and have been to other neighborhoods decorated with Christmas lights, we have seen better. CCL is cute but it lacked pizzazz. The younger kids definitely enjoyed them though. Nathan thought they were cool and you know what. Having fun together is what it's all about. Isn't it? I think so.

I took more pictures but some were either blah or blurry.

 

The day was long, cold but full of fun. Sydna and Nathan enjoyed themselves and Riley was actually pretty good. Now on our way back home.

 

 

*****

We had only eaten lunch and had Starbucks so we were pretty much hungry by the time we got home. Riley fell asleep on the ride back home so Jacob layed him on the couch ... he started a fire and we watched White Christmas while Jacob cooked dinner.

 

My husband made us Shrimp & Pasta Formaggio. First time of him making it and it's definitely a keeper. I love shrimp!

And the best thing about our day {well anyday actually} is hanging out in our living room and watching a movie together. I love the cozyness we've created and the cloudy/rainy weather we have now just adds more cozyness to our current mood. We love it!