Downtown Adventure

Saturday we went on our annual Christmas trek downtown. We ride the monorail from the City Center, where the Space Needle lives, to downtown to ride the Holiday Carousel, only a 1 mile stretch that takes about 3 minutes. Laine was so serious when we put her on her horse but she started smiling as the ride started. There are several giant nutcrackers spread around the city, all painted differently. We spot as many as we can on our walk to Pacific Place shopping center where they have fancy gingerbread "houses" to view. My favorite one was a mini Pike's Place Market. Then we go back to eat at the food court in the mall near the monorail stop. Eric commented that this year seemed so much easier than last year. Last year he had Laine on his back in the baby backpack most of the time. Also last year he had a spectacular fall, with Laine in tow. He didn't see a short post in the sidewalk and tripped over it, fell forward and the backpack almost flipped off his back. Luckily he caught himself well enough and Laine was a little scared but didn't get hurt. This year Laine was the one to keep up with, she is so eager to run everywhere. Cannon fell into a hidden mudpit while running across the grass near the space needle. He caught himself in time to avoid a faceplant. Luckily that was at the end of our journey. We do have some traditions after all!