Happy Birthday, Alyson!

Happy 9th birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Alyson.

This photo of Alyson and Korinna was taken at Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity on December 3, 2011. The girls sang at the festival as part of the Children's Christmas Choir.

Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity

As some of you may know, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm not trying to convert anyone, but I would like to show how the Tacoma Stake keeps Christ in Christmas every year.

They were hoping for one thousand, but the last count revealed 962. That's right. On December 3, 2011, nine hundred and sixty-two Nativities were displayed at the fourth annual Festival of the Nativity at the Tacoma Stake Center in Tacoma, Washington. You don't have to be a Mormon to attend or participate in the festival. Anyone who had a Nativity that he or she wanted to display was invited to bring his/her set to the church several days in advance.

The Nativities came from all parts of the world, including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Italy and the Philippines. Miniature replicas of Celtic stone carvings represented Ireland. A crystal set came from the Czech Republic.

The Children's Christmas Choir sang Christmas caroles. After the performance, church leaders put on a scavenger hunt in which the children had to answer questions about individual Nativities among the hundreds that filled the church. Can you identify who played Baby Jesus in the Nativity featuring Charlie Brown and Peanuts?

There were many hand-crafted Nativities. Tiny Nativity figures were carved into a small gourd. A set was made from wooden spoons. Another was made of marshmallows. One lady from the church made a quilt adorned with the holy family and the animals in the manger.

There was also a live Nativity scene.

Toward the end of the festival, families were invited to dress up as the characters from the Nativity. A photographer took photos of them in a manger scene. Here's a photo of my daughter, Kate, portraying the Virgin Mary. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, dressed up as angels.

Happy holidays to all!

P.S. Woodstock played Baby Jesus in the Peanuts Nativity.

All Aboard the Santa Train

During the holiday season, the Northwest Railroad Museum transforms its historic train to the Santa Train. Evergreen wreaths, Christmas lights and stockings make this a wonderful train ride for children of all ages. I took my daughters and my grandchildren. We had a great time.

Passengers board at the North Bend Depot for a 3.5 mile ride to Snoqualmie to meet Santa Claus. At the Snoqualmie Depot, families can have their photos taken with Santa. Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies baked in the kitchen car's coal stoves.

Guests can shop in the museum's gift shop, view historic train cars and explore a small town seeping with railroad history. I recommend visiting the Candy Factory, a candy store and soda fountain that makes its own salt water taffy, nut brittles and fudge. Ninety minutes after arrival, passengers board for the return trip to North Bend.

The Northwest Railroad Museum tells a fascinating tale of the rivalry between old Seattle and Tacoma. In 1870, the Northwest Pacific Railroad began building a route from Minnesota to the Pacific Coast. Seattle's residents were outraged in 1873 when the railroad announced that the route was complete and ended in Tacoma. Seattle and King County had been completely left out!

Determined to build their own transcontinental route, Seattle's citizens created the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad. The North Bend Depot was built in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley in 1890. Shortly thereafter, the SLS & E Railroad ran out of money and construction of its route ended. In 1901, the Northwest Pacific Railroad bought the failing SLS & E Railroad. By that time, Seattle was included in Northwest Pacific's route.

A Washington tradition since 1969, the Santa Train only runs 8 days each year. Tickets cost $20.00 per person and may be purchased at www.trainmuseum.org or by telephoning (425)888-2206. You can buy tickets in person at the Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA. Buy your tickets in advance because the Santa Train sells out every year.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Happy Turkey Day!

Tom turkeys are so beautiful. It's a shame the turkey is not our national bird. The tom and hen in this photo were raised locally in Steilacoom, Washington. The photo was taken at Steilacoom's Apple Squeeze last October.

Happy 15th birthday to my beautiful daughter, Kate!