Local Christmas Tree Farms

I remember the good ole' family tradition of going out to the Christmas tree farm in Arlington and cutting down our family Christmas tree. We would ride the tractor out to find the perfect tree and run around asking "Is this the one?" to every tree in our path. Then as my mom and dad were paying for the tree we would sip down hot apple cider that would burn our mouth and we would stuff our pockets with miniature candy canes.

If any of this sounds familiar and you are looking for that perfect tree...try one of these tree farms in the area. Information has been taken from Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association. (http://www.nwtrees.com/choose_and_cutframe.htm)

ALAN ACRES TREE FARM 2
7314 36th Ave. N.W. Stanwood, WA 98292 alanacrestrees@yahoo.com
Location: Take freeway exit 212 from I-5, west toward Stanwood, 1-3/4 miles, turn right on 36th Ave. N.W. for 1/2 mile.
Species Available: Noble, Douglas-fir, Grand, Fraser, Alpine spruce.
Services: Saws, Wreaths, Coffee/Beverage, Gift shop, Restrooms, Trees baled, Holly.

FARMER BROWN’S TREE FARM
12017 109th Ave. NE Arlington, WA 98223-www.brownxtree.com
Location: Take I–5 Exit 199 (Marysville) 528 east, Hwy 9 north to 84th St. NE, east to 99th Ave. NE, north to 124th St NE. Follow Signs. Or east of Hwy 9 at 132nd St. NE, 6 miles south of Arlington.
Species Available: Noble, Douglas-fir, Grand, Fraser, Norway spruce, Colorado blue spruce. Services: Saws, Wreaths, Coffee/Beverage, Cutting assistance, Flocking, Gift shop, Restrooms, Trees baled, Tree stands, Bonfire, Food vendors.
Features: Large tree sizes: Up to 9’ all species

LOCHSLOY ACRES
5511 SR 92 Lake Stevens, WA 98258 - treefarm@lochsloyacres.com - www.lochsloyacres.com
Location: From I-5 in Everett go east on Hwy 2. Turn left on SR 204 at end of trussel. Turn left on Hwy 9. Turn right on SR 92. Go 3.9 miles, farm on right.
Species Available: Douglas-fir, Grand, Fraser.
Services: Saws, Wreaths, Coffee/Beverage, Cutting assistance, Restrooms, Trees baled, Fresh cut trees, Tree stands.
Features: Enclosed historic barn to get out of the weather and free candy canes.

PATERSON’S LAZY ACRES TREE FARM
1315-188th St. Arlington, WA 98223 - lpaterson@worldnet.att.net
Location: I-5 north of Everett Exit 206. Go west one mile, turn right on 19th. Do not cross railroad track. Turn left on 188th St NE. Farm is 1/4 mile on right.
Species Available: Noble, Douglas-fir, Grand, Fraser, Norway spruce.
Services: Saws, Wreaths, Hot cider, Restrooms, Trees baled.

PILCHUCK SECRET VALLEY CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
9533 Mose Rd. Arlington, WA 98223 www.pilchuckxmastrees.com
Location: Just north of Arlington. Take I-5 exit 208, go to Arlington. Take left onto Hwy 9 at light. Go 1 mile on Hwy 9, take right Armstrong Rd. Follow signs.
Species Available: Noble, Douglas-fir, Grand, Fraser, Nordmann, Concolor.
Services: Saws, Wreaths, Coffee/Beverage, Cutting assistance, Gift shop, Restrooms, Trees baled, Holly.
Features: Candy canes for kids, Hot dogs, Snacks, Coffee, Cider. Kid’s trees: Balsam fir, Cannan fir. Large tree sizes: 12-18’ Noble.

Reade Christmas Tree Ranch
7724 – 171st Ave. SE Snohomish, WA 98290
Location: Hwy 2- between Snohomish/Monroe east on Westwick Rd. for 2 miles, north on 171st Ave. SE for 1 mile. Turn under Bonneville power lines.
Species Available: Noble, Douglas-fir, Grand, Nordmann, Norway spruce.
Services: Saws, Wreaths, Coffee/Beverage, Cutting assistance, Restrooms, Trees baled, Fresh cut trees.
Features: U-Cut, Fresh cut, Shelter, Trees baled/netted, Hot beverage, Weekday senior discount.

ST. NICK’S TREES
Woods Creek Rd. & 74th Place SE Monroe, WA 98272 - (360) 794-5647
Location: Take U.S. #2 east to Monroe, go to Taco Time, turn left on Woods Creek Road. Follow signs 7 miles to farm. Species
Available: Noble, Fraser, Grand.
Services: Saws, Wreaths, Coffee/Beverage, Cutting assistance, Restrooms, Hay/Wagon/Trailer rides, Trees baled, Fresh cut trees.
Features: Free Christmas coloring book for the children.

Holiday Ships and Santa Cruises

I have heard about 2 local holiday events that are "water" based for people who are looking for something like this to experience this holiday season.

In Everett, the Christmas Lighted Boat Parade is on December 12 and 13th from 5pm - 8pm. This parade features boats of all sizes that are beautifully decorated and in our backyard. For more information on an exact location, call 425-259-8178.

Downtown, Argosy Cruises offers an array of holiday sails in the month of December until the 23rd. Cruises featured are the Santa Brunches and family dinner cruises. A complete list can be located at http://www.argosycruises.com/themecruises/xmasSchedule.cfm#schedule. This list also provides information on the choirs that will be caroling during that sail. Reduced priced sales are listed as value nights and can provide a savings if you are flexible on when you can go.

Check it out and set sail this holiday season.

Email Santa...

Have your children waited too long to mail Santa their wish list?

If so, they can email Santa at http://www.busymommy.us/santa and he will write them back with confirmation of receiving it. He has a special message and his email up and running ready to take wish lists online this year.

A message from one of Santa's elves.

Snowball Express and other Holiday Trains

I saw in a magazine an ad for the Snowball Express and for any of you with Thomas the Train lovers, this might be the holiday experience for you.

The train travels on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and departs from Mineral, WA. Information is available at http://www.mrsr.com/ or call 1-888-STEAM-11.

The train has a Santa car, with the "real thing" waiting to meet all passengers. The Santa car is decorated and there is hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies to munch on. Sing songs on the train and parents can enjoy the scenery. It sounds like a relaxing afternoon to me. The Snowball Express rides the rails 4 times per day every Saturday and Sunday until December 21st when Santa needs to make his way back to the North Pole.

Northwest Railway Museum's Santa Train boards in North Bend and idles along the track for 20 minutes to the Snoqualmie Train Depot. Santa is there to greet kids and parents, too. Trains board on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 3pm until December 20th. More info is available by calling 425-888-2206 or at http://www.trainmuseum.org/.

Lake Whatcom Railway Santa Train for train riders north in Acme. Contact 360-595-2218 for more info or go to http://www.lakewhatcomrailway.com/.

Santa Breakfasts - Downtown

Here is information on the traditional Santa Breakfast in downtown Seattle. I have heard from several friends that this is a tradition to add to every families event list. Many of them have been attending this breakfast since they were kids and now their children are going every year.

Description: A holiday brunch with a special guest

Dates: December 13, 14, 20 and 21

Times: 9:30am and 11:00am

Location: Sheraton Hotel and Towers, 1400 6th Avenue, downtown Seattle

Contact: 206-547-1290 is the Santa hotline to make reservations

The proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation Pac NW Chapter and is presented by Proliance Surgeons. (Our ENT surgeon that has done 2 of Katelyn's ear tube surgeries is with Proliance Surgeons in Bellevue - a great group of surgeons.)

Macy's Santa Holiday Show

There is a new cowboy in town, Grumpy Gus and he is here to take the fun out of Christmas for everyone. He learns about the Spirit of Christmas in this fun performance at the Downtown Macy's. This is a new production that Macy's is offering in conjunction with Caberet Productions. What a fun, holiday event to add to a day downtown...

Show times:
December 13, 14, 15, and 21 at 11:15am

Location:
Macy's, Downtown Seattle
Third Floor, Stewart Street Room

Ticket Prices:
Children 11 and under $10
12 and older $12

Each ticket receives a Macy gift card for $5 and and kids receive an additional free gift.

Call 206-506-4-Fun for tickets.

Velveteen Rabbit - 12/13

The traditional Velveteen Rabbit is playing at the Village Theatre in Everett on Saturday, December 13th. There are two performances that day at 2:00pm and 4:00pm at the Everett Performing Arts Center (2710 Wetmore Aveue).

The Velveteen Rabbit was a favorite storybook of mine growing up and I remember my mom reading it to me over and over again. This play is based on the original book and is full of puppets.

The Village Theatre Pied Piper focuses on theatre that is based on children's literature and catered towards younger audiences. Call the box office for ticket availability: 425-257-8600 or go to http://www.villagetheatre.org/piedpiper_0809_public.shtml.

Night of the Elves - 12/20

How about a night out for you and night out for them, too?

The Imagine Children's Museum in Everett is hosting a Night of the Elves on Saturday December 2oth. It is jam packed with exciting activities for kids ages 4 -12 and is available only by reservation, so if you are interested I would sign up early. Treat yourself to a night out to finish up your Christmas list, enjoy a dinner out or go see the movie Four Christmas's (I loved this movie -absolutely hilarious!).

Here is the scoop:

Dinner with the Elves - Deck the Halls Pizza, Rudolph's Reindeer Carrots, Fa la la Fruit and Jingle Juice

Santa's Workshop

Mrs. Kringle's Kitchen

Frosty Games - Penguin Race, Icicle Hunt, etc.


Member Price - $40 first child, $20 for each sibling

Non-Member Price - $50 first child, $25 for each sibling



They say they sell out so book now and enjoy some time for yourself, even if it used for wrapping gifts!

Polar City at Imagine Children's Museum-12/22

It is always a good time at Imagine Children's Museum in Everett. The museum is a wonderland of discovery for children off all ages, through out the year. Right now there are holiday festivities that are coming up that are sure to be a good time.

Monday, December 22nd
Polar Party
-Carpet skating and polar sox making (sounds great and not sure what it is!). Special story time as well.

This activity is free with museum admission.

Gingerbread Village-Imagine Children's Museum 12/13 and 12/14

It is always a good time at Imagine Children's Museum in Everett. The museum is a wonderland of discovery for children off all ages, through out the year. Right now there are holiday festivities that are coming up that are sure to be a good time.

Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th

Gingerbread Village

-Make a gingerbread brick and decorate it for a gingerbread house at the museum. Special story time as well.

This activity is free with museum admission.

The Nutcracker Performance - Everett 12/18 - 12/21

The Nutcracker is a traditional event that many part take in during the holiday season. Here is a local version of the popular play that is performed by the Alderwood Dance Spectrum company at the Snohomish County PUD auditorium (2320 California Street). Tickets must be reserved through Alderwood Dance Spectrum and the prices are $15 for adults and $12 for children/seniors/military.

Performances:
Thursday, December 18 at 9:45am and 12:15pm
Friday, December 19 at 7:00pm
Saturday, December20 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, December21 at 2:00pm

Location:
Snohomish County PUD Auditorium
2320 California Street

Tickets and Sales, Contact:
Alderwood Dance Spectrum
425-771-2994
http://www.alderwooddancespectrum.com/

Please note that I have not attended this but plan to this year with my 4 1/2 year old. Check it out for local holiday fun!

Make Holiday Tree Ornaments - 12/15

Are you looking for a festive way to get your kid's excited about the holidays? I know that one that thing that is always a big hit is craft projects. On December 15th, the Everett Public Library is having a workshop in the Main Library Children's Room from 3pm - 5pm where kids can decorate ornaments.

All supplies are included and it is free to who ever shows up.

Everett Public Library - 2702 Hoyt Ave, Everett - 425-257-8030

(Also on December 11th from 3pm - 5pm at the Evergreen Branch in the Meeting Room)

Holiday Puppet Show - Jingle Bell Rock (12/13 at 2pm)

Last Wednesday, my two children and I attended the first performance of the Jingle Bell Rock Puppet Show at the Everett Public Library. The puppet show was fantastic and my children loved it. The first showing was the Evergreen Branch and it was too large of a crowd for the meeting room that it was in.

But the next showing is on December 13th at the Main Library in Everett (2702 Hoyt Ave/425-257-8030) in the auditorium at 2:oo pm. This space will have a lot more room to accommodate a larger crowd. The puppet show is festive, funny and complimentary. My daughter received a color postcard to take home that had a photo of the characters on it.

A great outing that is short, sweet and free. You can't beat that.

McGruff Safe Kids Total ID

This is not an activity, per se, but it is something that was offered at my daycare center for my children recently. When I was growing up, I remember having things like a "Helping Hand" in our window or a "McGruff Crime Dog" sign as a signal to neighborhood kids and friends that our house was a safe house. If someone was being chased or lost, then they would see the sign and know that they could come there and we would call the police or their parents.

So a month ago, our daycare (Early Connections Learning Center/Gingerbread House) in Everett has this service come on site for the afternoon. For $15, my children received 2 ID cards with their thumbprints, name, photo, and descriptive info that my husband and I can show if ever needed. We also received a larger card to keep at home with all of their fingerprints and a larger photo. There are other packages that had more options, but this one was the most reasonable and provided us with what we need. The best part about this is that it was available while they were at daycare during the day. I did not have to wait in line at the mall and hope that my children were able to be patient.

This is an extremely helpful service that I wanted to share. More information about this service is at http://mcgruff-tid.com/streetwise/

The owner of this northwest branch is Kathie Street and she can also be contacted at 360-224-2756. Check it out and protect your children for the unknown or ask your daycare to look into bringing a service like this one in. It is so important in case you ever need it even though hopefully you never will.