It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.

Dinner with friends

(Jacob did the turkey this year and it was delish!)

Time together.

Raised garden beds, finally finished.

A couple of Christmas gifts (of the I-need-to-finish-sewing-variety) just about complete.

Put up the tree (but will decorate it later this week).

And a fun day downtown with the kidlets...

Oh yeah, we even made it on the Q13 Fox News! The reporter asked Jacob and I if we were local and what we were Thankful for this year. I'm pretty sure he stopped us because our kids were like celebrities as we walked around the market. I can't believe how many people stopped to drool over Aspen!

We don't even get TV reception, so if anyone saw us - be sure to tell us how cheesy we were! :)

Aspen met Santa. Hmmm...a little nervous...

Ummmm...okay...a LOT nervous...

Poor baby, "GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!"

Sadly, Jacob and I were the only one's who were happy to see Santa.If you want to strike terror into your children, just head downtown to meet The Big Man in Red, I guess.

Actually, Sawyer had been excited to meet Santa all day long. He just got nervous/terrified once he saw him in person. Once it was over and he had the grand prize of a small candycane in hand, though, he couldn't stop talking about it. "I saw Santa! I was scared of him...but he gave me a treat!"

*****************************************************

Pike Place Market

We had a fantastic time walking around the Waterfront and through the market. If you've never visited the famous market, here - let Aspen give you a little tour....

You can walk to Pike Place Market from downtown Seattle. We used to be able to walk from our old apartment. Now we drive and park under the viaduct and then walk up through the Harbour Steps and through Post Alley.

*Note to those from out of town: it is not "Pike's" market - it is "Pike Place Market"

Of course there is the beautiful, locally grown produce you'd expect to find...

...as well as the freshest seafood around. And the famous fish-throwers, too.

Fresh-cut flowers for all occasions. They even have some wintry flowers and some dried flowers. You can get a good-sized bouquet of fresh flowers in the spring and through the summer for $5-$8 dollars.

I didn't even take pictures of all of the cute restaurants and little shops and other handmade and artisans shops in the market - you'll just have to come and discover those for yourself!

Fresh cut Christmas wreaths and trees outside the market this time of year. Ohhh, the pine-laden fragrant smell was HEAVENLY!

At "Magic in the Market" we were serenaded by The Dickens Carolers as well as a beautiful brass quintet. It was so festive - the crowd was a happy crowd as we all bundled up and stood close together, waiting for the finale...the lighting of thousands of lights to brighten up the market and the tree for the Holidays!

The was our first year at Magic in the Market - and it truly was Magic.

May the Countdown to Christmas Begin!

ps-I will do an advent post sometime this week on my other blog! So much fun to be had!