Covid Christmas 2021

Covid reared its ugly head this year just in time for Christmas.  The day after our chocolate factory tour at Theo, Corey started feeling unwell.  She was very fatigued and had a sore throat. We urged her to get tested and on Wednesday we found out she was + for Covid.  Luckily, the rest of us tested negative so we dodged a bullet there.  Corey is vaccinated although she had yet to get her booster, but now apparently she has "super immunity" which is good.  The bad part was it meant we couldn't spend Christmas together.  Gabby & Ethan drove down Christmas Eve to pick up their presents as well as Corey & Terrell's which they delivered to them before heading back to Seattle. On Christmas morning we opened our presents together on Face Time.  Not quite the same, but at least we got to "see" each other.  I think everyone was happy with their gifts.  

On Christmas night it started snowing and we got between 6 and 8 inches total.  Then the cold temperatures hit...we had some lows in the teens and high's in the 20's for a few days. It's still out there along with some additional snow we got on Tuesday and this morning.  Even though it is pretty, I'm starting to get a bit of cabin fever.  The puppies are loving it and want to go out and play it in all day long!  I'm excited for this long upcoming weekend so hopefully the snow will go away so we can get out and enjoy some of it. 

Opening presents via FaceTime

The pups got a new reindeer which Harvey promptly ripped open.  I've already had to do animal surgery.

It started slowly...

We ended up with too much!

The puppies are happy!

Helping dad clear the decorations so he could shovel the walkway.

It sure is pretty!

Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

During the holiday season we like to spend the day in Seattle looking at the gingerbread displays, checking out the decorations in West Lake, and having lunch at PF Chang's.  The past couple years due to Covid we haven't been able to do that.  Luckily, this year we were able to book a chocolate factory tour instead at Theo, which is in the Fremont area of Seattle near where Gabby used to live when she interned up there before her New Zealand trip in 2019.  The 6 of us did the tour, which was a bit different with the mask wearing and loads of hand sanitizer. But, it was still fun and we got to try a lot of different chocolates.  Afterward we bought a bag full of chocolates and then walked over to Lucky's Pho for some delicious Bahn Mi sandwiches & piping hot pho, which was needed on such a cold day.  It was great to spend some time with the kids!

Before the tour we got to participate in a feedback session.  We tried 3 new flavor samples-Sticky Toffee, Mint and Gingerbread chocolates then had to tell them what we thought of each.  I liked two out of three.

We were super early so got to walk along the Burke Gilman Trail where we found this dinosaur topiary.

Apparently this is their mascot Gerald.

Masks! 

Christmas Tea

I don’t always remember to get pictures of our annual Christmas tea but this year I did!  We went to Graham’s Royal Tea in Bothell this time.  It was a bit of a drive, but well worth it. Great to see everyone and share in some delicious tea and lots of goodies. Until next year!

Jennifer, me, Michele, Pam, Marianne, Teresa and Clarissa 

The Holiday Season is Here!

Can't believe Thanksgiving is over!  How did this happen?  We spent the day with the kids, their SO's and Gabby's friend Shalice.  We ate too much, then Corey & Terrell had to head over to his mom's house. The rest of us hung out & played games.  After Shalice left we drove around the neighborhood looking at lights--so many people had already put theirs up this year--we were amazed.  After that the 4 of us put up our new tiny Christmas tree that's on a tabletop for safety against very inquisitive puppies.  On Friday morning Gabby went out with me early to Fred Meyer & Target to do some Black Friday shopping.  Most of it was for the Orting Senior Center which is our charity this year.  That was a lot of fun!  We also got a few gifts for the family.  Then Gabby & Ethan helped us put up the outside decorations--it went a lot faster with 4 of us this year!  They are looking pretty festive.  So fun to see everyone this weekend. Now we are ready for the holidays!

We had to get a new topper because our angel was way too big for this tiny tree.  At least it was easy to place!

New ornaments this year.

The puppies cried and cried from their little puppy jail. 

One last photo with the pups before they left.

Sammammish Volksmarch #10

Can’t believe we have done 10 volksmarches this year!  We completed a 7k one yesterday up in Sammammish with Jennifer and Clarissa. The walk took us through a couple of cool parks and by a giant treehouse.  The end of the volksmarch had either switchbacks or stairs. We opted for the stairs which were killer but took less time. We were pleasantly surprised that it was dry considering all the rain we’ve had lately, but were disappointed that the volksmarch group had absconded with the flag before we finished so yet again no flag photo. Boo.  Afterward we stopped at the Metropolitan Market for yummy treats then Pagliacci’s for pizza. It was a great day!

Goodbye to the Mini

We’ve talked about trading in the Mini for a while now because it’s getting harder and harder to get in and out of. Getting old is not for the weak.  We have loved having it for the past four years but it was time for something more practical with a little bit more room.  With the car shortage going on it’s been tougher than ever trying to find a car to buy.  We wanted something bigger but still fun to drive with some bells and whistles since it would be our last new car probably ever.  Scott and I have both loved Volvos for a long time. Luckily we stumbled across one that just came on the market.  Even though it’s a 2021 model it was a short term lease that someone turned in with just a little over 10,000 miles on it so we are able to get it for a great deal. Scott fell in love with it as soon as he drove it off the lot so we traded in the Mini and now have another suv. We’re still trying to figure out a name for it, but as of now we’re just calling it the Dream car.  

One last picture with the Bean.