Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year from the Whartons! Wow, I cannot believe its 2014 already. Where has the time gone? Soon Ellie will be 4 and … *gulp*… Abby will be 6. Abby will start Kindergarten in the Fall and I will be an emotional mess. Just kidding. I’m sure I will be fine but dealing with the change can be hard sometimes. So much in store for the new year. 
This year we decided to celebrate the way we did the first time we lived in Seattle, food and then Alki Beach to watch the fireworks over the city. We stopped at one of our favorite burger places, Teddy’s for some yummy treats then afterward we headed on our way to ring in the New Year.
All would have been perfect for us, but unfortunately at around 11pm a heavy fog started to roll in. By the time it hit midnight, all we could see were dull flashes of light across the sound from what we assumed were the fireworks. Oh well, we still had fun and the girls had a blast. Plenty of people were setting off their own smaller displays along the beach and that was the world to the two of them.
Enjoying some Teddy’s. By the look of it, these two might not make it to midnight.
The huge fog bank that rolled in at about 11pm. Hmmm….
Space Needle… What Space Needle? All I can see is fog and the lights along the water.
Waiting so patiently for the fireworks.
Happy New Year!!! The fog was so thick that my camera continued to focus on the spots of moisture in the air and not my kids!
This is what we should have seen from Alki Beach!

We spent the rest of the New Year hanging out at home, watching movies and then taking a drive. We drove to Edmonds to our favorite beach and watched the ferries arrive and depart. It was so relaxing and well deserved. The girls played in the sand, threw rocks into the water and just played. While it was still a somewhat cloudy day, the rain stayed away and gave everyone the chance to get out. Its a great start to the new year!

Ferry Lights
Watching the ferries roll in.

Ferries, the Monorail and More!

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Christmas flew by as it always seems to do and now everyone has the Christmas blues. Lots of toys and candy and now reality sets back in. After a few days of work, Shaun and I decided to get out of the house and go on a few adventures with the girls. Another Wharton Adventure without a destination or plan equals fun!
First a ride on the ferry! This always equals fun for these two!

Sister snuggles!

Happily watching the world go by.
Calm winter waters on the Puget Sound.
Its windy and cold, but I love it!
More sister snuggles!
Watching the seagulls fly with the ferry. Close your mouth Abby!
After a ferry side, we decided to stop in downtown Seattle and do the one thing that Abby has been waiting to do. Ride the monorail!
The monorail runs to and from the Space Needle. This view never gets old.
Space Needle selfie!
Space Needlie selfie!
After a ride to and from the Space Needle on the monorail, we drove around the city taking in all of the lights. Loved how the market was all done up. The lights above were all vegetables. Very fun!

Our adventures always take us to fun places. I love that we can jump into the car and take an adventure. Always puts a smile on my face.

It’s Christmas Eve!

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Its Christmas Eve! Pretty soon the munchkins will be in bed and Santa will be bringing lots of presents!  Lots and lots of wonderful presents, some of which Santa and Mrs. Claus had to travel all the way an a ferry boat with two kids in the sleigh to pick up the only present Abby wanted for Christmas. I know it will be worth every moment though. Cant wait to see the looks on their faces!
Until then we decided to bake and decorate our cookies for Santa, enjoyed some dinner at Red Robin in our jammies (well, just the girls) and we drove around to look at Christmas lights. I love the little traditions that we are starting with our girls. Once we finished all of the fun and excitement, it was off to bed to have dreams of sugarplums dance in their head!
While the cookie dough was chilling for the sugar cookies, mommy baked some amazing peanut butter cookies. Santa’s new favorite.

Abby and Ellie in matching Christmas Jammies. My favorites!
Ready to decorate some cookies!
Cookie decorating is serious business.
One of the finished products!
The goodies are all plated and ready for Santa and the reindeer.
Ready for bed and hoping that Santa will put lots of presents where they are sitting.
Pretty Christmas tree
After many hours of building one Barbie Dream House, one near miss of Ellie catching Santa in the act of prepping the tree,  wrapping and more Santa finally made his stop at the Wharton House.

First Official Snow in Seattle!

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The weather reports were predicting it, but all to often they end up being wrong. Yet in the early hours of the morning we woke up to a wonderful sight. SNOW! While this isnt even close to being the first time we have ever been in the snow, it was our first snowfall since moving to Seattle. And while it was short lived, the girls enjoyed as much of it as they could.
Our view at 6am. So pretty and so quiet.
Abby and Ellie were up, out of bed and dressed in less than 5 minutes when they saw the snow out their window.
My adorable little snow angels
Dancing around in the snow.
Abby snow angel…
The end result of Abby’s snow angel
Ellie snow angel…
The end result
Another snow angel ala Abby
She reminds me of Ralphie’s little brother in this one.
Winter Wonderland
Just laying around in the snow
Tiny snow man
Building a tiny snow man.
Before we knew it the snow turned in to rain and everything started to melt, but Abby and Ellie spent a good 2 hours outside taking in all the snow had to offer.

Christmas Time Performances

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Christmas break is about to begin! But before school breaks for a few weeks, each class performed a few songs and poems for parents and family. It was very cute and I love the reindeer hate that Abby made. Ellie was a tad shy, but that’s ok. She still looked adorable and had a fun time. 
Listening to the Nativity Story. One of their guest teachers had a great book for young children that teaches all about the Nativity.
That’s one cute little reindeer!
Ellie sitting so quietly and patiently during the Nativity story.
The performance is done! Now its time for cookies and hot chocolate. Maybe even a present from her teachers too!

Little Love Bug

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Ellie only goes to school twice a week, so there are two days that Ellie and I have together in the morning. Its just the two of us for a few hours. I love having time together with my little love bug.  This morning we got to school a little early, so we waited in the car for a bit before going in to pick up Abby. This little girl sat up in the front seat with me and we giggled and sang songs until it was time to go. I love the fun little memories that I share with this girl.

Christmas Lights

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Tonight we piled ourselves into the car, the girls in their jammies, with some yummy treats and drove all over the city see some Christmas lights. Just like most cities, Seattle has a Candy Cane Lane which was adorable and well done. Its located in some of the older neighborhoods near the University so the homes that were decorated had a lot of the old Seattle charm. Several other neighborhoods tout some spectacular lighting displays and we took a peek at those as well. 
Searching for Christmas lights has become a Wharton tradition with the girls. I am glad that even though we have moved away from California and the San Fernando Valley we can still carry on with those traditions. Makes my heart warm and puts a huge smile on my face. The girls eventually fell asleep, which allowed Shaun and I to enjoy a quiet drive too. It was a simple night but one we enjoyed very much.
Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane
One of several neighborhoods near Green Lake all decked out for Christmas

Santa Makes A Stop In Port Gamble

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I think that it has become very apparent that one of our favorite places to go is Port Gamble. Its small, charming and has a great sense of community. So when we discovered that Santa would be visiting Port Gamble and there would be some fun festivities to go along with it, we were there! We spent the afternoon in the shops, visiting Santa’s workshop and taking part in the tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. It was a great afternoon and evening. Another fun Wharton Adventure in the history books!
Walking the road, singing her own Christmas songs.
Enjoying a stroll with daddy, talking about Santa and his reindeer.
Ellie was so excited to see Santa, I thought she might explode.
At first Ellie was a little shy but then she had plenty to say to Santa. There was a huge line behind us but Santa let her talk and tell her stories. So sweet!
Big smiles with Santa
So happy to see Santa and tell him all their hopes for Christmas, like Abby’s Barbie Dreamhouse.
Making their own Christmas cookies.
Ellie went all out with the cinnamon dots.
Abby loved the cinnamon dots too as well as all the red and green sprinkles that she could handle.
Abby’s finished cookie product. Yummy!
Ellie’s finished cookie product. Yummy!
We closed down Santa’s workshop and stopped for one last picture before we left. I wonder where Santa is off to now?
What a fun afternoon with Santa. Don’t fret though, there is still more to come!
We decided to take a little walk around  town to kill some time before the tree lighting. Ellie kept looking for Santa too. I don’t think he is here though.
Two little monkey’s in a tree!
Look who we found again! Santa was visiting the kids near the little garden and light display.
Abby and Ellie were so excited to see Santa, yet again!
A cold and gloomy night in Port Gamble. Lucky for us the rain stayed away!
The sun is setting and Puget Sound looks beautiful in the stormy, waning light.
Hot chocolate and magic candy canes make the wait for the tree lighting very easy.
Snuggling up until tree lighting time.
Santa counted down, the tree was lit and the fireworks began. What a beautiful sight to see.
Port Gamble might be a small town, but the fireworks were beautiful and very well done.
The Grand Finale!
The tree is lit and now its time to go home!

Christmas Tree Trimming

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Our tree was chosen, washed and placed in the house. Now its time to trim it with all of our lovely ornaments. The girls were very excited to help out, although they refused to let me take pictures of them after the first few. Oh well, I have the memories in my mind as well! What a fun night together as a family!
Always the comedian! Don’t fall Shaun!
Our beautiful star is on top of the tree! Now to decorate!
Ellie puts her first ornament onto the tree!
Abby has her first ornament for the tree too!
This was the last picture I was allowed to take. Abby did such a great job placing the ornaments onto the tree. She was so gentle and took time to think about where she wanted them. Boy she is growing up!
Our little tree all done up! Its so much fun to finally have a real tree in the house.

Shaun’s 36th Birthday

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Happy 36th Birthday Shaun! Happy Birthday to the best husband, father and friend anyone could ask for. We certainly hope that you enjoyed your day and evening out with the cutest girls on earth. Love you very much and again… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Dinner out at Azteca with endless coloring for Ellie.
Ready for tacos at Azteca! Abby’s favorite!
Oh that little head and that rug burn. Its a goof thing she has a cup of lemonade to make life better.
WAIT… THE CAKE IS ON FIRE!
Goofy Daddy surrounded by his super silly girls. Love the hat Shaun!
Silly Daddy… thats not how you put the candles out!
Silly Abby… that’s not how you wear your hat!
Cake mouth!
MMMMMMMMMM CAKE!

Found A Tree!!

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Its official, we found our Christmas tree! Here it is! OK so this isn’t its finest hour at the moment, but its a beautiful tree and I cannot wait to get it home, cleaned up and decorated. 
Have I mentioned that this is our first real, not artificial, Christmas Tree since Shaun and I were married? Yep, we have had a fake tree every year. Most of the time its because we were traveling after Christmas and didn’t want the worry about the care of the tree while we were away but this year we aren’t going anywhere! So excited. It smells amazing!