Powell's Books is my Mecca. Every year I make my pilgrimage to this wonderful city of books. New and used books line shelves that go on forever. The store is just messy enough and just confusing enough to feel personal like your grandmother's basement. Each book is given its rightful place on the shelf in it's rightful room (color coded: gold for fiction, orange for children's, etc.). Each book is respected; the used right along with the new. It's a book lovers paradise. I could literally wander around all day stroaking the spines of the books, seeking out my favorite authors, and breathing in the musty paper smell of the books. I'm not exagerating...we actually had to go back for a second trip after feeling a bit rushed through the first time since Addie was with us.
Christmas on December 26th. We savored the whole day to relax, open gifts, eat, and just enjoy the company. Most years we are rushing around to finish everything before jolting off to the next 
celebration. We all preferred the slow paced setting and decided to make it a tradition. Grandpa helped Addie open her stocking. She probably would have been happy with the little popping turtle as her only gift. Grandpa and 
Grandma went all out. There were so many gifts for Addie! She was surrounded by toys. My parents picked out wonderful toys and clothes. Dad said he tested them all out to 
make sure they met his standards for his Granddaughter. Addie is such a lucky girl. Everyone got their traditional new PJs for Christmas as well as lots of other goodies, and treasures. The family room looked like a bomb went off once we were done. It was a blast. Since we had all day we decided to go to the best Microbrewery in all of Washington that just happens to be in our backyard. Salmon Creek Brew Pub is Justin and my Father’s favorite for the laid back atmosphere, fiery old Russian woman who
co-owns the family pub, Ruben sandwiches, and of course the top notch micro-brew. It was my first visit and I admit the beer battered onion rings were a winner. Mom and Dad are sporting their new Syracuse sweatshirts from Megan. It was a great ending to a great Christmas!
My Mother has the biggest and best collection of Christmas pretties you’ve ever seen. She always has a beautiful real tree decorated with an assortment of ornaments old, new, and homemade. At the top is the same angel my sisters and 
I used to fight over placing on the top bough. She has a huge collection of Santa’s of every shape and size. This year like most other years, Mom tried to cultivate a beautiful variegated poinsettia plant, and this year like every other it looked like it needed to be put out of its misery. She has everything but a green thumb with poinsettias. Every year my Mom goes out of her way to prepare beautiful 
homemade gift baskets for friends and family filled with goodies. Mom always has mountains of gifts for everyone, carefully wrapped and trimmed with shiny ribbons and adorable little name tags. She loves Christmas and all the preparations that lead up to the season. My Mom has tamed her Christmas decorating over the years for sheer lack of time and help since my sisters and I are away, but she never fails to put on a beautiful Christmas. This year was not unlike all the others. Thank you Mom, for always making Christmas magical. 
A miracle took place this year on December 25th in Portland, Oregon: it snowed! We NEVER have white Christmases at home so this was an extra special treat for Addie’s first Christmas. There was a light dusting for the gathering of Mom’s side of the family. Everyone showered 
Addie with gifts and love. She especially enjoyed playing inside a big box. Before the gathering in the morning Mom and Dad cooked a wonderful breakfast while we played with Addie. Justin gave me a beautiful new Nikon camera (can’t wait to use it) and he loved his new Swiss Army watch. Gifts giving and receiving is too much fun! Addie fit into her Hokie Bird PJs that Auntie Brienne bought for her long before she was born. It was perfect timing for Christmas. The day was relaxing and full of love and joy. Just perfect! 
Every year growing up I was giddy with anticipation for Christmas Eve with my Dad’s side of the family. The festivities are so quintessential with long tables crowded with loved ones; heart felt toasts, lovely odes to the past year by everyone including the kids. Speaches are given about everything from a favorite vacation, to welcoming babies, or straight A’s on a report card. Wonderful food and wine are served; and my cousin's houme is trimmed with Christmas lovelies. After dinner Santa arrives 
with his sleigh bells and big jolly belly. All the children sit on his lap and receive a present and a kiss. If you are older than 10 get ready to be embarrassed. This Christmas Eve was just as wonderful as every childhood memory before, only this time my own child was apart of the festivities. Addie played with her cousins and had a ball with 
Emme (born a week after Addie). She fell asleep right before Santa arrived but we still got a few good pictures of her on his lap. It was such a touching moment. The only complaint is that the evening flies by too fast and at the end of the night we have to say goodbye. 
We're back from our whirlwind Christmas vacation on the left coast with my family! It might have been the best Christmas yet. We spent loads of time with my parents who absolutely fell in love with their granddaughter all over again. We hung with Megan and Emily every day and played a few hilarious games of Pictionary and Apples to Apples. My parents house was full of good food, Christmas decorations, family, baby toys, laughter, and good times. It was so wonderful to be at home in Washington. 
