For our anniversary Sean arranged for us to go up to Victoria for two days while we were in Washington for Christmas. My wonderful brother, Rob, his fabulous wife, Kim, and my glorious sister, Wimp (Christi), watched Becky, Jane, Alex and James for us so we could go worry-free.
It was a smooth 3-hour ferry ride up to Victoria from Seattle, and then just a short walk from the ferry to our hotel: The Empress.
It is an incredible hotel with several restaurants, museum and indoor pool/spa/exercise area. We dropped our stuff off in our suite (which you gained access by going to the end of the hall on the 4th floor, then going through double doors to get to our door. If we ordered room service the bellman would have to ring a doorbell instead of knocking). We were given this room because Sean mentioned that we had stayed here on our honeymoon, and have come back 10 years later to celebrate our anniversary. They also gave us a free desert at any of their restaurants (we got a chocolate fudge sundae, washed down with a hot chocolate, of course!).
After we deposited our things we went on a walk around the city. Everything was just as snowed over as in Seattle, but the sidewalks were clear, so our afternoon was a nice stroll through the different shops and boutiques. We went to the nearby mall, explored a 4-story Christmas store, visited Munro's books, and got some snacks at a 7-11. We went back to the hotel at around 3:30 for a nap before dinner and didn't wake up until 7AM the next morning!
Well rested, we asked the concierge for a nice place to eat breakfast and was guided to the Blue Fox about 1/2 mile away. It was a tiny place and we had our doubts, but we stuck it out and were more than pleasantly surprised at how Delicious the food was! We were completely full when we left and started our journey back towards town. On the way we went through several antique shops and interesting stores.
We passed our hotel and went towards the museum. Next to the museum were colorful totem poles and a house built before the 1850's, of which we got a tour (very fascinating). We stopped at the Legislative Building, where we got a tour and took pictures of the frozen, yet still running, fountain, some birds trying to drink the freezing water, and the freezing over harbor across the street (did I mention it was freezing?!).
Just before we left for the ferry to go back home we stopped to get that desert at the hotel. The perfect end to our full day in Victoria. I am so blessed to have such a romantic husband! It was absolutely fabulous. I think I was smiling the entire trip. I love you, Sean! Thank you again and again and again...
a sighting of big foot,
For James' birthday on December 26, 2008 we gathered once again into the newly finished dining room for dinner, followed by an icecream cake and presents. He LOVED the cake and presents. We are so grateful for James in our lives and family. He brightens our days and always carries a smile. He's cruising with confidence now, but shows no inclination to start walking on his own. He's so content that he's content just being content. He eats just about everything and was 20 lbs before his 1st birthday to prove it. He has a cute quirk about eating, though. He only takes a small bite of something to taste it, and, if he decides he wants more, will then open wide for bigger bites, and lots of them! He is loved by his whole family, and returns that love in abundance. He loves to show me whatever he's doing, which comes in handy when he is about to put something in his mouth that he shouldn't ("James...show mommy!"). He's more than willing to give smiles, and sometimes gives them even when he isn't in the mood to smile. He's our cutie little stinker-man and we love him to pieces!
We had a great time Christmas Day taking advantage of all the snow. We started out with snowmen in the front yard (and on Christi's car - that one's all mine!) It was so fun to watch the kids get snowed on as we progressed to the snowball fight. Once we were done with that we moved to the backyard, packed snow down tight on the steps, and created a sledding path.
When we stopped for breakfast we took a quick picture of the snow in the parking lot. We had continuous snow all the way up Oregon until we got close to Portland, when it tapered off, and the bare trees along the I-5 cast a beautiful foreground of the Portland Temple (I took the picture as we drove).
When her presentation was over we hopped in the car, stopped by home so the kids could change, and then started our long drive to Seattle.
