First, Liz and Dan met us at one of our favorite spots, Deception Pass. Somehow, the rain made gave us a clear morning, and we had so much fun talking, hiking, watching the sea lions pop up out of the water, and watching Talia play in the rocky beach. It was so rejuvintive for me! Afterwards we stopped at our favorite seafood place, Taylor Shellfish Farms and loved chilling by the water and the fire. On their way out they stopped by our place, just in time for the rain and dark clouds to come back in all its glory. So glad they made time for us, and it makes us all the more excited to eventually [hopefully!] make it back to the bay. 

We also go the best news when we found out that my parents and Sam were joining us for Thanksgiving! Initially we weren't planning on doing much of anything for it other then making pie [priorities people]. But once we found out they were coming, we decided to go all in and make all the things. They arrived early on Thanksgiving morning, and we loved having a full warm noisy house. After feasting in the afternoon, we bundled up and went to watch Moana 2 at the local theater. After pie for dessert, some story time with Grandma and hang outs late into the chilly night, we went to bed to get ready for Leavenworth the next morning! My Dad had never been, and we thought it was the perfect time to do it, in all its scandinavian Christmas glory. The drive was the stuff of dreams, snow capped, mountains and forests, but clear roads and good conversations. While there, we got delicious brats, schnitzel sandwiches, enjoyed the cobblestone streets, cute shops and nutcracker museums, gingerbread shops, and other fun. We saw Santa and Mrs Claus, did crafts, and wrote letters to send to the North Pole, and got warm drinks to tide us over till we got back on the road. We got back into town and headed straight over to our local library for fort building and flashlight night. We finished the night with hot bowls of Chile Verde, and a Warriors game, and late night present wrapping with my Mom. The next morning the kids woke up to 'Christmas morning bags' from Grandma and Grandpa. It was magical, and I'm so glad they are so thoughtful. Then it was time for our little towns Hometown Holidays event. We spent the morning checking out the Christmas market, shopping at the Hardware store and playing with the puppies at Arlington Pickers, and eating food from the delicious trucks downtown etc. Then while my Dad and Lester took off to see Gladiator, we hung out at home making gingerbread and play dough, and having fun here. We headed back into town later that night for the tree lighting event, and it was so fun. They had live carolers, snow flurries, free hot coca and cider, bonfires throughout the whole town and more kits for everyone. The kids got to see some fun characters like the grinch, Elsa & Olaf, Frosty etc. It was a blast. We ended the night with my Mom, Sam and I going to see Wicked. The older girls got to stay up late so my mom could teach them the basics of knitting. It was a perfect trip and we cherished. It was the perfect thing to tide us over till the next time we can all be together again! 

In the days before and after, we filled out days with a few other fun things. Like, of course, it wouldn't be us without a few trips to the city and some museums, and good food. We also hosted a bunch of Lester's co workers for a Friendsgiving deal which was fun as always. We've had a good run, and now we are locked and loaded and ready for all things winter, cold and Christmasy! Life is good.