The Cotters have traveled to Portland for Christmas since 2005, and many years prior to that, too. This year they wanted to wake up in their own beds and host the event...so we headed to Seattle for the holiday.
Cousins. We missed Mark, Claudine, Catie and Will...they stayed in Portland.
Lovely hostesses! Carrie was all fancy in her new red dress and shoes with heels. So her. So sassy.
Dinner on the first night. A tasty soup, salad, and yummy bread.
Santa did find us in Seattle...the boys were a little bit worried. I found this scene when I went to get some water in the night.
Dan and I don't exchange gifts...just an ornament for each other. However, I did have a present under the tree this year, as the boys bought a gift for me when they were out and about with a teacher friend. They kept this shiny red gnome a surprise. I was thrilled to open the hand twisted brown bag that he came in. I'll treasure it forever!
Susan went all out with the meals. On Christmas night, she served these amazing flank steaks that were stuffed with a mixture of arugula, white cheddar, garlic, etc. Then they were rolled into pinwheels. I think she was going for the Strengthstudio swirl look. :) Dinner was amazing!!
Movie time with the cousins at the end of Christmas day.
Ahh. Aunt Susie finally sitting after a busy day.
As we were getting ready to head back to Portland the next morning, Aunt Susie was predicting that we would forget something at their house. Sure enough, Nate left his most important possession...Big Raffi. This special giraffe still travels with us wherever we go for an overnight trip. This picture showed up on mine and Dan's phones as we were about an hour out of Seattle. Nate crumbled into tears when we showed him the picture and he saw what he had left behind. Raffi had tons of fun with the cousins! Luckily, he is back in our home now.
Thank you for the wonderful Christmas 2013, Cotters! xxoo
