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December 7, 2022

In Search of the Perfect Tree: Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Near Seattle

Every year we ask ourselves the same question: Where should we go to find the perfect Christmas tree? And over the years, we’ve visited Christmas tree lots, Christmas tree farms, nurseries, and garden centers. There was even a few years in there where we had an artificial tree.

Last year knowing that we would already be south of Seattle (for an airport drop off) right after Thanksgiving, we decided to find a Christmas tree farm south of the city. In my search, I came across Reindeer Ridge Christmas Tree Farm in Auburn, Washington.

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August 23, 2021

Edmonds, Washington Weekend Getaway: Fun Activities for the Whole Family

Located just 30 minutes north of our home in Seattle, Washington, the small waterfront city of Edmonds, Washington is a place our family ventures to frequently. A quick glance at these quick facts about Edmonds, and I bet you’ll realize why we are so drawn to visiting this special destination.

Edmonds is situated on the Puget Sound with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, and several beaches to explore.
Edmonds has a true main street design with a walkable central business district full of inviting shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Edmonds is a ferry city! The Washington State ferry travels across the Puget Sound between Edmonds and Kingston, Washington (located on the Kitsap Peninsula).
Edmonds has 48 parks and over 450 acres of green space!
Edmonds is an art and cultural hub. In fact, the city is Washington’s first designated Creative District!

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February 23, 2021

Hiking with Kids: How to Build Stamina and Still Have Fun!

How do you get your kids to walk such far distances? This is one of the questions we get asked the most! We mention to friends the hikes we go on, and the places we walk to, and they are often very surprised at the mileage our kids can cover.

It obviously didn’t happen over night, but the answer is easy: Routine and Consistency. The number one reason that our kids can walk far distances is because it’s something that we’ve weaved into the fabric of our family. Walking is the main way we get exercise. It’s how we spend time together as a family. We walk to get to where we need to go, we walk for fun, and we walk to stay healthy. We walk to ensure that we have plenty of time OUTSIDE.

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February 21, 2021

Hiking in the Rain with Kids! | Rain Gear Recommendations for Families

We are in the home stretch of winter here in the Seattle area. This is just about the time where we start to get restless, and long for a warm weather destination! Luckily we have a respite coming up in just a few weeks. While spring will bring us more light, new growth, and a little more warmth, the rain will stick around.

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February 18, 2021

How to Enjoy an Epic Snow Day with Kids | Seattle Snow 2021

When we went to sleep last Friday night, there was a light dusting of snow on the ground. When we woke up, over half a foot had fallen! And snow was still coming down. Here in Seattle, that’s a big deal.

Of course the kids wanted to go sledding, so we turned our usual Saturday morning walk into a snowy adventure. The sledding combined with all the other activities we smashed into our schedule amounted to a pretty fantastic day.

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February 16, 2021

Exploring Seattle’s Neighborhoods: Field Trip to Kerry Park Viewpoint

With this year of homeschool, I’ve noticed that some of the routines I had when the kids were much younger (and home more often) are back! One of those routines? Built-in Adventures.

Built-in Adventures are when we incorporate something fun and enjoyable, usually outdoors, into an errand (post office, grocery shopping, etc). We feel good about being productive, but also satisfy our fun, adventurous spirits.

Just as a few snow flurries were starting to fly late last week, I decided it was time for a car wash. Whether or not getting a car wash before a snowstorm was a good decision is debatable. However, my car did need a good wash. Plus, the coupon I had for a free wash was burning a hole in my pocket!

A car wash for my kids is an adventure in and of it self! As I thought it over though, I also realized that this outing could be even more than a fun urban hike in a nearby neighborhood. Some aspects of the kids homeschool studies/assignments could be incorporated in the adventure! Win-win-win.

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