Oh Honey: Seattle Christmas

It was different, but in a good way. This year we left behind our Southern California family and headed to cooler temperatures to spend Christmas with our Pacific Northwest family.

Two things I recommend when traveling with three children. Fly Jet Blue and always bring Aunt Kelsey.

TV's, unlimited snacks and a 1:1 child to adult ratio.

{"I'm flying, this is amazing!"}

Rather than intruding on family the first night we stayed in the city. Making time to eat at our favorite oyster bar and play tourists.

{hotel shenanigans}

{Best espresso place ever. Ever.}

On Christmas Eve we headed to Grandmom and Grandad's house in Camano Island. At the risk of sounding dramatic it felt like the kind of magic that Christmas movies evoke. A fire, a ham, a home packed to the gills with family young and old and laughter, lots of laughter.

After too much pumpkin pie and See's candy we loaded up and went to stay the night with Drake's cousin Julie. Her and her family are always gracious hosts to our family when we are in Washington. We spent a lazy Christmas day in pj's drinking multiple pots of coffee while the kids disappeared to play. The smoked turkey we had for dinner that night was so good that second helpings were mandatory and the lingering after dinner conversation was icing on the cake.

Yes, this year was different. We didn't eat oyster stew with my family, we didn't open presents on Christmas morning, there were no cinnamon rolls with Grammy and no driving around on Christmas Eve to look at lights. However, we also didn't run all over the place in our best attempt to give both sides of our family's equal holiday time. We stayed inside all day and slowly transitioned from drinking coffee to wine without changing out of our pajamas. It was nice and refreshing. I did miss seeing my family, but I did not miss the meltdowns and overstimulation. Moving forward I hope to tone down next Christmas a bit. Keep the spirit alive, but implement the low-key lazy vibe here at home.

After all, it's not about the gifts and the lights, it's about the birth Christ and being with the people you love most. And oh how I love these people most.