Santa {2013}

Every year we visit Santa on the Sunday before Christmas. Seeing Santa - on a weekend - in Seattle is no easy task. It involves A LOT of line waiting! Line waiting that rivals Disneyland ride waits! But it is our tradition and seeing the girls with Santa is totally worth it!

Santa day usually begins early. Court heads to Starbucks for a cup of joe and the NY Times at about 6 am. He hops in the line that is already forming for Santa - who opens at 9 am! 

I wake, feed and dress the girls. Then we hustle down to meet him just as Santa's shop is opening.

This year we were about 4th in line so we were in and out in less than a half hour!

We've had the same Santa since 2009 and he is REALLY great! He spends so much time talking with the children. It was funny to hear Grace and Charlotte's responses and requests. 

Charlotte requested a tree house for Christmas (hadn't heard that one before!) and a monster doll. Grace's list included a Barbie Dream House (which Santa had known about), a wedding doll and a monster doll. The last two items had been fairly new additions but Santa kept hoping that Grace would forget about them. Now only three days out from Christmas, Grace was pretty locked on and we all know that Santa doesn't disappoint. Especially when you've been good AND made a personal request while sitting on his lap.

Ugh!

 Santa was going to have to act fast and hope that Amazon would be able to timely supply a Christmas miracle!

After our visit with Santa, since everyone is already dressed up, our tradition is to have brunch at the Georgian room. As our visit with St. Nick went much quicker than expected (thanks to Court securing a spot in the front of the line) we decided to take the girls up in the Seattle ferris wheel before brunch.

We hadn't done it before and while it probably wasn't the best weather day...

the girls had a blast!

After brunch, we packed up and headed home. I was sweating bullets because I figured it was going to be blizzarding in the mountains. Luckily, it was just a bit of rain so I didn't need to panic. I thoroughly hate driving in the snow!

A fantastic weekend in Seattle! Every minute filled with family, friends, fun and of course, last minute shopping! While I always enjoy my time in the big city, it is always great to come home!