Last year we rode on the Santa Train in the freezing cold and had such a great time that we decided to do it again. It is starting to turn into a Christmas tradition for our family.
This year the weather was a little more cooperating and Ethan was a lot more intoseeing Santa and riding the train. He was a little anxious at the beginning but as soon as the train started to move he was all smiles. The train leaves from the North Bend Depot and takes you on a twenty minute train ride to their depot in the town of Snoqualmie. Once there, you exit the train to go and see Santa. After Santa you go into one of the old train cars for hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies. Ethan really enjoyed seeing Santa this year and asked for candy, trains, and cars. He really enjoyed the fresh baked cookies too and looking at all of the trains. Plus, after seeing Santa you get to take home a little wooden train that you can build and paint.
We all had a great time and managed to stay warm this time. On our way back on the train Ethan even said bye Santa which was very cute. They do have train events in the summer months as well, and I think we will be looking into that.
This past weekend Jeff decided it was time to put up our Christmas lights. He has gotten it down to a science now and is able to put them up in about two hours. I think he did it in record time this year. This was an extremely cold day as well so he had to put the lights with the roof being a sheet of ice. Luckily no injuries happened.
Also, while Jeff was at the Seahawks game my dad came down for a visit and helped Ethan with decorating a gingerbread house. Decorating was not in the cards for Ethan this day. Instead he was the candy gobbler and ate many of the gumdrops and jelly beans. He was bouncing off of the walls that evening.
Yesterday I finished the
Seattle 1/2 marathon with my friend Cris. It was a really long course and we were both exhausted by the end of it but we finished it. We did walk it since both of us are not runners but it was still a long ways to go and there were plenty of hills to tackle. My legs are still sore today from the race. We even saw a guy running bare foot through the entire marathon which is crazy to me.
And while I was participating in the Marathon Jeff and Ethan went to Rubies for breakfast and Jeff took this picture of Ethan putting on his glasses. So cute!
Since it was the day after Thanksgiving and we had nothing better to do we decided to get into the Christmas spirit and go and pick out our Christmas tree. Jeff is a stickler about the looks of the tree and is likes to look for the perfect one that is the perfect size as well. We decided to do things a little differently this year and instead of having the tree by the fireplace moved it over near our stairs instead. We found one really quickly, actually Ethan picked it out by falling into it so it was a keeper and we've already decorated it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope that you had a great time enjoying turkey and all of the fixings. I know that we did and we have plenty of leftovers to last us quite a while. Of course Ethan did not try any of the Thanksgiving morsels but I guess that is what you get when you have a picky eater on your hands. He did enjoy the dinner rolls and pumpkin pie.
A few days ago while Ethan was taking a "nap" I heard a loud thud through the baby monitor and ran up to check it out. Sure enough he was out of his crib and on the floor. Of course he gave me a heart attack but it was inevitable since my son is a little dare devil.
That evening we ran out to Toy's 'R Us and picked up a new big boy bed. Jeff wanted to get Ethan the actual bed shaped like a car but unfortunately it came with too many additional parts that had to be purchased seperately so we went with one that matched his room decor. We did pick up new Cars bedding though. ;)
Yesterday while Ethan was at daycare we worked away and getting his room ready. This required lot's of additional babyproofing as well as completely emptying out the closet since he was now able to go in there. I also replaced the wall trim that he had ripped down when he was younger.
When he saw his room and especially his new bed he was so excited. He loved that it was Cars themed and did not want to get out of his new bed. When it was actually time to go to bed Jeff and I were both worried that he would not stay in it and would be playing in his room the whole night. Lucky for us once he got in it he didn't want to leave.
This upcoming weekend Jeff, Ethan, and I are heading to
Great Wolf Lodge in Ground Mound Washington for a small one night mini-vacation. I have heard their commercials on television and always wanted to check it out and thought that it was about time.
They are a destination hotel geared towards kids with a huge indoor water park, kid themed restaurants, storytelling time, and games. In their water park they even have a toddler water park section and everyone that knows Ethan knows how much he loves playing in the water. I will be sure to post pictures as soon as we return on Monday and tell you about our adventure.
*Updated: Unfortunately we were unable to go to the Great Wolf Lodge since two of our family members were ill. Such a bummer but we will be instead going later next month.
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