Christmas weekend in downtown Seattle

Last weekend was our (almost) annual weekend to stay in downtown Seattle. Jon and I have been doing that (almost) annually since we were newlyweds. {from our hotel room}

We started pretty early in the morning at Santa's castle, where we thought we'd get right in to see "The Old Guy in Red" (as Havalah called him). Wha? Where did that come from? Part of the line is outside where the kids can see Santa through the glass talking with other children whose parents got them there earlier than the rest of us. They mic Santa so everyone can hear their conversations. It's pretty cute. Here, Santa took a break and led all the kids, outside of the glass, in a rousing chorus of Jingle Bells.

Ahhh...two and a half hours later we made it in. And they had a very sweet conversation with Santa.

Next we headed over to The Fairmont to visit the Teddy Bear Suite.

This is the girl who won't. stop. dancing. I finally just decided to go with it, and took her picture. It's what blogger Mommies do.

We also stopped by one of my favorite places EVER. The Crumpet Shop. Where you order CRUMPETS. And TEA!

Plus it's just really cute in there.

And here's "us". I quickly handed Henry the camera and said..."take a picture of Daddy and me." I guess Jon didn't get the memo. ;)