Seattle Christmas happenings

It feels like the past couple of weeks have blown through like a hurricane! So much has been going on and with Christmas only a week and a half away, I've been frantically trying to get done all the holiday tasks, so that I relax, breathe and enjoy the joy of Christmas when it comes.

First off, I got released from my church calling as Primary President after 4 1/2 years. It was time for a change, but I have been so, so, so sad about it! That calling has occupied so much of my time and brain power and spiritual insight that I feel a serious void. It was SO weird being at church last week and not having to run off somewhere or check on a class or take a kid in the hall or conduct opening exercises or teach sharing time or sing "once there was a snowman" or give the kids hugs as they came into primary or ask a teacher how class went or make sure there were enough nursery teachers or talk to the bishop about callings or go to ward council or assign the kids parts in the Christmas pageant. I sat down in Sunday School (next to Rob which was such a treat) and sat and sat and sat until church was over. I learned a lot and felt the spirit very strongly, but I couldn't stop crying! I felt so silly, but I kept thinking about the kids and what there were doing and saying and learning, and I'd burst into tears. Jasper officially starts primary in two weeks and I was getting so excited about spending time with him and watching as he participates in primary, and then I got the boot... Anyway, it's not my decision, it's the Lord's. He knows what is best for me and what will help me grow and develop. It's been a wonderful calling and I'll miss it very, very much.

We went downtown last week with some friends from church to see the gingerbread houses, ride the carousel, and watch the train display in the Macy's store window. This is an annual Christmas time happening and we always have a really fun time.




This is made entirely out of candy!







Last week we also visited Swanson's Nursery where they bring in a camel, a donkey and two reindeer during the holidays! They also set up a fabulous train display for the kids to enjoy.







We visited the Pacific Science Center last week. Jasper got creative and wanted me to make himself into a box to ship off to Tutu and Gumpa's for Christmas:




Friday night we went to Candy Cane Lane with our friends, the Parkers. This is an entire street totally decked out with lights and displays and all things Christmas-y.



Craziest thing - we found Jasper's name on this list of "good kids" in front of one of the houses!!



We celebrated Gid's birthday early last weekend since his real b-day is on Christmas Eve. We met some friends at the Seattle Center, ate cupcakes and talked and watched the train display. I can't believe he's almost two! Time has seriously flown by. The party was train themed and I made these little flags. Rob artfully stuck them in the cupcakes:




Jasper was given a little Thomas the Tank Engine train for his wooden train track a few years ago and Gideon adores it, which leads to fighting over Thomas. So we had Jasper give Gid a Thomas of his own:


In addition to what I took pictures of, we attended the Kilburns' annual Christmas cookie party, watched and listened to the Christmas ships with our friends the Carters and Parkers (this was our first time going and it was well worth it), went to our ward's Christmas party, and Rob and I have been working diligently on our Christmas cards. They are almost done! If you want one and you aren't sure if I've got your address, please, please send it my way!