A very merry Seattle Christmas (2010)

On December 16th, we packed for two Christmas vacations and loaded up the car and traveled to Grandma's (Jeremy's parents home on Mercer Island). It was a bit stressful getting ready, doing laundry, finishing home-made presents, wrapping presents, being strategic in packing for carry-on vs. checked luggage (for our St. Louis, MO trip- that post coming soon!)...BUT... it was such a treat to JUST ENJOY the holiday from that time forth.

So in order to keep somewhat methodical of all the thoughts/memories, here is a TOP TEN of our Seattle Christmas holiday.

1 - PEARCE'S 9 MONTH CHECK-UP. We chose her pediatrician near Jeremy's parents home (we visit there often) since we had good recommendations there. We really liked our new doc, Dr. Hal Quinn. Pearce is weighing in the 65 percentile, and height in the 75 percentile. BUT...I think she may have jumped percentiles in the weight department during all holiday eating (Thanks, mom!!)  hahaha

2- FIRST SEATTLE FERRY BOAT RIDE & POULSBO. We boarded the ferry with Leslie & Clyde, and set sail for Bainbridge Island en route to Poulsbo. Beautiful views (and very windy!). I just recently caught the Grey's Anatomy bug (this last summer) and was tickled to be in Seattle and riding a ferry- and felt like i was in a Grey's episode! hahaha

Paulsbo is such a cute little town. We of course stopped at the bakery, and thoughtfully chose any doughnut or pastry that looked delicious! We walked around the main street popping in a few of the little stores- bookstore, quilt/fabric store, furniture/interior design store, and then headed for the water. SO BEAUTIFUL. We chilled there for a bit, then got a bite to eat at a restaurant on the water. Such a fun day.

3- MERCER ISLAND WARD SUNDAY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM. I love Jeremy's home ward's Christmas program, and I think this year's was the best. They have so much musical talent in their ward, and Leslie (Jeremy's mom) was the narrator this year, which makes it even more special. Beautiful songs were sung, and the meaning of Christmas was felt.

4- HARRY POTTER EXHIBIT. The Seattle Pacific Science Center hosted the Harry Potter Exhibit. I/we haven't read or seen any of the books/movies. (I know, what rock have we been living under... ??) I originally wanted to go because I thought it would be something cool to see, and fun to hang out with the adults ( Jeremy's siblings and mom). But the fun cutesy museum peeked my interest, and that night we started the first Harry Potter movie. Jeremy and I have since seen the second movie, and also went to see Movie 7 in the theatre in St. Louis with my siblings. We are Harry Potter fans now! So thanks to the exhibit! It was really cool! Definitely recommend it.

(Jeremy eating some of the Hogwart Jelly Beans. They are sooo foul!! Gravy, pepper, booger flavors for example.)

5- LESLIE's BAKED GOODS. I'm bummed I didn't take pics of some of the yummy treats she made. My favorite were these pastry-like twisted candycane citrus things. It originally called for lemon, but used orange instead, and I was obsessed. I need to get the recipe.  Also made was a beautiful honey/almond roll. I'm such a sucker for pastries.

6 - ANNUAL 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' PLAY at the ACT Theatre (downtown Seattle). All of Jeremy's family (ages 5+) has gone to this play every year for a very long time. It's an awesome tradition if you ask me. Not only can they all quote the entire play, but the story/message is very fitting for the Christmas season. It's a message of repentance, forgiveness and change (basically the Atonement). 
Side note: This was the very first time we left Pearce with a non-family babysitter! I was in shock when we got home (around 10:30pm and Pearce was asleep in bed! YAY!)

7- SNOQUALMIE FALLS- On Christmas Eve day, we had some free time, so Jeremy mentioned we should go to Snoqualmie Falls (about 40 minutes away) because he couldn't believe he'd never taken me there!  It was breathtaking (see for yourself below!!), even though it was sooo cold and raining. We only stayed long enough to snap a few pictures and to wait for someone to walk by to take our family picture.  

8- CHRISTMAS EVE - PEGASUS PIZZA. This yummy Greek style pizza is a Curfew family favorite. We go here often, and it's become tradition to eat here Christmas Eve afternoon with the entire family. 

9- CHRISTMAS EVE- CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN, SINGING, & PRESENTS. You may remember the good ole chocolate fountain from last year. My favorites to dip this year were pineapple and strawberries.

We all sang the 12 days of Christmas, and this year everyone was super animated, making it even more crazy fun. and it was the cutest thing ever to see Pearce with her cousins and opening her very first present.

10- CHRISTMAS MORNING- PEARCE'S FIRST CHRISTMAS
Again, so cute to see Pearce Christmas morning. Oh, how Christmas just got even better!

After opening presents from Santa and Grandma, we ate yummy breakfast casserole, and packed up our bags once again to dash to the airport...