{Christmas in Seattle}

If there's one thing we learned over the holidays, it's that it is AWESOME having so much family in the Pacific Northwest!

This whole plan worked out even better than we imagined it would.

We arrived downtown Seattle and Nathan and a couple of the kids came and picked us up. 

Again, a great thing about the train...you can park right by the door, leave your car, help pick up the people, load the car and you're off!  So easy!!

A fun addition to our visit was that my parents drove up to Seattle for the weekend and they were able to come to church with us Sunday and then hang out for the afternoon with us.

From the moment we stepped off the train, all of the kids were elated to be together.  

It seems like Chase plays the best with the 2 youngest right now, but loves each of them and spending quality time with each in different ways.  And now there is Beck to throw into the mix and he is greatly loved there.  Sweet 10 year old Abby definitely had her eye on him the entire time.  She was a great blessing and help with him each & every day.

It's hard to believe but we even got most of this family sick.

I know, it seems impossible at this point, but alas, we did :(

And even they still love us.  It did cramp our anniversary plans a bit.  Oh well.

We had the first 5 days alone with the Hitch's and then John's parents arrived for the last 2 1/2.

Again, this worked out just perfectly to see everyone.

We relaxed a lot again.  Lots of kids playing, nerf gun wars, basketball, dancing, playing with fur real pets and dreamlites, dress up, delicious meals...

I also bought everything to make ice cream sundaes on New Year's Eve - my most favorite food of all times.  Unfortunately some of the kids were sick and unable to enjoy it with us that night.

John & I celebrated our 10th anniversary while there.

What a milestone!!  I'm so very thankful for each day, month & year that we've been side by side.

The Lord has been so very gracious.  We love to be together and would choose to be together than not!

(this said on a day that I've taken care of a poor, sick man that's been in bed all day with possible flu)

Anna did let us go off and enjoy coffee together fora couple of hours on our actual anniversary (NYE), and then New Year's day we were able to go off for the whole afternoon exploring the city, enjoying more coffee, a snack, a dinner, shopping, checking out a cool park...it was great to be together and reconnect.  Always so treasured to us since we don't do it that often back at home.

We have a tradition of eating "fun-due" together and did that.  This time the grandparents even got to enjoy that!!

Once Nannie & Poppy arrived, we had some family pictures taken, ate out a nice meal together, they took Whit & Chase on a cute date together that they all just loved.  They went to McDonald's and then picked out Barbies together.  Such sweet memories were made.

Thanks for hosting us dear ones!  It was a real joy to be together.