A Very Merry Christmas

It all began Sunday morning. Ken and Jane were kind enough to give us a lift to the airport and greeted us 9am with coffee waiting in the car. Two flights later, one short, one long, we were met by our parents and Garrick's brother, Braden at the Sea-Tac Airport. Hugs after a year apart are just the best. First things first: food!  The Ridge is a fantastic pizza place in Phinney Ridge, near Mark and Julie's new house. Eating helped us stay awake, but after we devoured the last slice, we could only think of sleep. Janelle and Brayden came for a quick visit when we arrived at my parents, and then it was pillow time.

  

Monday morning we were the first car through the Starbucks drive thru. A bit later, we visited my grandpa who recently moved to an assisted living home. And that afternoon we got to catch up with Rachael and Reggie, our newly married friends!

 

 

Christmas Eve we enjoyed a leisurely day with Garrick's family, opening stockings and playing games. That evening, we gathered with The Stevens for a gift exchange and potluck dinner. 





 

 

Christmas morning we were excited to see that we'd slept past 5am! My Aunt Judy invited us over for brunch and she lead us in the telling of the Christmas story with the help of Brayden and Ryan. Then it was off to see Garrick's dad for the afternoon. Christmas night included a spiral ham dinner at my parents home with Kenneth and Janelle, Mark and Julie, and my grandma.

 

The day after Christmas (Boxing Day for our UK friends) we were reunited with First Street in Snohomish.  Located right on the Snohomish River, there are several boutiques and places to eat. My mom and I went shopping at Joyworks while Garrick and my dad checked out a local distillery. The Snohomish Bakery is another one of our favourite spots, and during lunch we ran into some of our high school friends. On Friday, we walked Greenlake with Garrick's family and checked out a few places in their new neighbourhood.

 

The time is already passing so fast and we have lots more to share, but until then, enjoy these photos of our special hometown and Greenlake.