thanksgiving week 2020

 the kids had the whole week off last week for conferences and the holiday. it was nice to slow down a bit and not need to hop on the computer for school right away every morning. though on monday morning, thatcher and i had a conference with azalea's teacher bright and early at 8am ;) thatcher was off most of wednesday and also thursday and friday. we watched lots of movies during the week (both christmas and non-christmas).

 the kids re-discovered the dress up box and went to town taking pictures...

 

 

on tuesday morning we had ashford's conference with his teacher then we went to edmonds to get outside for a bit. we walked out on the fishing pier, the kids got a donut from top top and we went to marina beach park. 

wednesday the kids made a (no bake) pumpkin pie for thanksgiving. they had some help ;) they were very proud of their work.

 

 

we decided to order a (fully cooked) smoked turkey for the first time ever. thatcher picked it up on wednesday afternoon and it only needed to be re-heated a couple hours before dinner on thursday. 

thanksgiving morning we watched the macy's parade. i was so happy they were able to still do an adapted version during the pandemic. it didn't even look much different on tv! we spent most of the day making all of the sides (stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, blueberry muffins, coconut cream pie). it was a ton of work, but always worth it when you get to sit down to a feast. 

we don't eat until 5pm usually, so i made a fancy cheese plate spread for lunch. yum! 

i always decorate for christmas the day after thanksgiving and this year was no different! thatcher actually took the kids out for a few hours so i could get the tree set up and put out our other decorations. i saved the ornaments for when they got back. it wasn't the most fun break - i spent two hours fighting with the pre-lit lights that are zip tied all over the tree. most strings were partially (or fully) burned out, so i needed to remove them and put new lights on. simply replacing the bulb where the burn out started didn't work. it was a huge pain in the butt, but should be easier going forward. 

i wanted to get as festive as possible for the occasion. no, i don't normally wear my mask at home ;) 

 

 

this is the first year (ever) that we haven't had a mantle for our stockings, but we made the railing work. i love it! 

 

 

the first night with the tree lit up is always so magical and cozy. 

 

 

and here it is in the daylight.

on saturday we did a quick 24 hour getaway to a town called la conner in skagit valley. it's a little over an hour away from seattle. on the way there, we visited the town of concrete for the first time. they only have 700 people who live there, but they had an awesome gluten-free bakery that thatcher had read about. we also went to lake shannon, which was breathtaking. 

and we loved this beautiful old bridge. especially the light posts.

we stayed in the cutest little lodge on the waterfront. the town was really quiet because it is the off season (and covid, of course).

 we got takeout from a brewery for dinner that was delicious. in the morning we got coffee and walked around. it was only in the 30s out, but so peaceful and pretty. 

we drove to a nature preserve a little ways out of town and went for a short hike. it was so beautiful! 

we hung out at home the rest of sunday and got ready for the week ahead. the kids have 3 weeks of school before they get another 2 weeks off for winter break. i'm so excited for baking, cozy nights, and relaxing. the best time of year!