Seattle family

Kamik #freeyourplay campaign helping kids have more free play outdoors with warm winter boots

Time to put a little more free play into our days thanks to warm Kamik boots

October 19, 2018

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kamik and as always the thoughts and opinions in this expressed are my own. My 89-year old grandma came to visit us from Canada recently.  She bravely made the nearly 4 hour drive from her home to our cabin in the mountains where she […]

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What is the 12 status program from Delta Airlines and the Seattle Seahawks

Things you should know about in Seattle if you are one of the 12’s

October 18, 2018

The other day, I got a huge surprise in the mail that reminded me I need to get my Seattle Seahawks spirit glowing a little brighter now that we are well into the routine of being back at school.  It’s all Seahawks all the time in our house right now (when it’s not all Sounders […]

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mini kitchens at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville BC makes mornings easy for families and multi-generational travelers

Revisiting Tigh Na Mara and Coombs Market in Parksville BC with friends

September 24, 2018

Are you the type of traveler who revisits the same place over and over again?  Or do you like to forge new paths every time you go on an adventure?  For my family, even though we try not to visit the same place too often there are still a few places we’ve revisited over the […]

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An officially licensed NFL cake from a local bakery for a party in Seattle

Upping my quick and easy Seahawks party game plan for #Kickoff2018

September 6, 2018

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Decopac and as always the thoughts and opinions in this expressed are my own. When fall routines start up it’s hard to predict exactly what we’re going to be doing on any given day.  We have soccer and biking and all the events that […]

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Follain is a store for clean beauty at Uvillage in Seattle they also have refillable soap

A vending machine you need to know about at Uvillage Seattle along with a few fun new stores

August 30, 2018

I love Uvillage. It’s been my favorite Seattle shopping area since we moved here about 15 years ago and I still can’t help but get swept up in the excitement of all the new stores and fun shopping experiences that keep arriving! New stores and restaurants at Uvillage in Seattle seem geared to shoppers who […]

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The Estates Wine Room in Seattle's Pioneer Square has a wine club that includes Double Canyon wines

A visit to Estates Wine Room and a wine club you might want to know about

August 27, 2018

A few weeks ago the hubby and I were invited to a wine club dinner at the Estates Wine Room.  A chef from a Seattle restaurant we love called “the Tillikum Place Cafe” was creating a meal to pair with some wines from Double Canyon and the winemaker Kate Michaud would be there as well. […]

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Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon BC is a great road trip by Tesla from Seattle for an outdoor family vacation

I’m already making my summer plans for next year thanks to Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon

August 16, 2018

Summers are for the Pacific Northwest and we do our best to explore this area as much as possible from June until the days get darker and the snow starts falling in the mountains. When there is a good chance of sunshine, there is so much nature here to see!  And from Seattle, if we’re not […]

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kids learn to cook while you shop at Uvillage in Seattle at Froglegs Culinary Academy

An awesome way to shop at UVillage while your kids learn to cook at Frog Legs Culinary Academy

August 6, 2018

“Auntie Tee, remember what we made with Mrs. Froglegs?” my 3-year-old nephew asked me the day after we took an evening cooking class at FrogLegs Culinary Academy at Uvillage.  “Yes, homemade Tortillas.  And salsa.  Did you have a fun time?”  And yes, he did.  We all did when we made and ate some yummy food […]

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Howler's Peak is a hit with kids-make sure to check your height and wear closed toe shoes

Let’s Talk a Little on Why you might want to go to Great Wolf Lodge sooner than I did

July 30, 2018

My kids have bugged me for years to go to Great Wolf Lodge and for years and years I have ignored them and made other plans. Our family tends to like outdoor things and nature-ish things and Great Wolf Lodge seemed like it would be the kind of chaotic, kid-filled place I would surely need […]

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Perfect beach front paradise in Pacific City Oregon at the new Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa a fantastic Oregon Coast getaway for families seeking the perfect pacific northwest weekend trip

Can we talk about all the windows at Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa in Pacific City Oregon?

July 2, 2018

A few weeks ago, my family had an incredible opportunity to stay at the Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa in Pacific City Oregon.  I have to admit when I first read about the hotel, I thought it was in Cannon Beach, another city we love to visit with our kids on the Oregon Coast, because […]

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Trying out the Penelope Signature Facial and Cryotherapy Coolift treatment at Penelope and the Beauty Bar in Seattle

On trying a Coolift Cryo-facial Treatment at Penelope and the Beauty Bar in Seattle

June 22, 2018

Some days in Seattle my life seems like its only about picking up all the laundry, cleaning up last nights’ dinner dishes and researching how to get the ugly carpet out of my basement.  Then some days magically end up Cinderella wonderful and I get to try fancy things.  I love when the universe lines […]

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this pic is taken behind Ivars on the waterfront and this post has tips on where to find out what to do today in Seattle with kids

How to find out what to do in Seattle today with kids

June 1, 2018

My kids are starting to grow up a bit and the need for me to find a kid-friendly restaurant ASAP or a play area that’s not too crowded before nap-time is not dire anymore, but I get asked a lot from friends and family who are traveling with kids what they can do in Seattle. […]

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A trip alone with my two nine year old boys to Legoland California

It is not impossible to take two boys to Legoland California on your own and be a STEM learning champion too!

April 26, 2018

With avid Lego fans in the house it is a no-brainer that Legoland would be one of my guys’ favorite places in the world. On a recent trip to Carlsbad I was excited when Legoland gave me tickets for the boys and I to go while the hubby was at a conference. I was a […]

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If you need to get a passport in 24 hours in Seattle

Always check your passport expiration before you book an international trip

April 22, 2018

Better yet, why not go and check your passport expiration now and put a little reminder maybe 6 months before it in your calendar to make sure you review it in time.  Even if you’re always responsible and always do these types of things.  Even if you never forget.  Because we were the people who […]

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Papaya and granola topped Açaí bowl in Kauai at Kalalea Juice Hale in Anohola

Eight Tips for Seven Days in Kauai with kids in tow

April 11, 2018

If traveling to Kauai with your family is on your radar then you need to start thinking about accommodations soon-especially if your holidays happen during President’s Day or Spring Break.  Here are eight tips we have from booking a recent trip we took for seven days in Kauai with kids in tow: Sign up for […]

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Chuoa Chocolates quote at the chocolate factory in Carlsbad near Legoland and the flower fields

A chocolate factory in Carlsbad I didn’t know I wanted to tour until it was too late! (Chuoa chocolates, California)

April 7, 2018

If you’re a Seattleite and shop at Metropolitan Market, you might notice the enormous selection of chocolates right by the checkout stand. It’s nearly impossible to miss, especially if you love chocolate like I do and the last time we visited Met Market there was even a sample stand to tempt us with delicious treats! […]

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Using Nest or Arlo Video Alarm monitoring systems in Seattle for your house to prevent robberies

Why you might need a Nest Doorbell Or Arlo Camera or other Video Alarm Monitoring in Seattle

April 2, 2018

In the next couple weeks I have a feeling my family and I will be buying all the video alarm monitoring things for our houses in bulk.  We live in a quiet Seattle neighborhood with not a lot of happenings, but lately we’ve seen more and more suspicious activity in the area and what happened […]

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review of Osh Kosh spring clothes style on a trip from Seattle to vancouver with 9 year old boys

Spring Clothes from Osh Kosh that can transition from Park to Party and Bring the Fun

March 27, 2018

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  There are two things we look for in clothes for my family-are they comfortable and can we wear them for multiple events?  It’s even better if the clothing we buy travels well too because […]

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Eating in with kids at Plaza Garibaldi but you can also order delivery using Amazon Restaurants

My favorite take out food delivery apps for Seattle (and when you travel)

March 25, 2018

PS it’s 2024 now and while I love using my smartphone for pretty much everything, lately in Seattle, it’s felt really expensive to get delivery through food delivery apps.  I haven’t had anything delivered in months now but just the other day I had a late meeting and my husband was out of town and […]

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How to take Instagram photos on your phone - tips from An Emerald City Life

Iphone Photography tips for Instagram

March 2, 2018

How much do you love the Instagram App?  I remember when I first saw the app I was so skeptical-I asked my bestie who gets me into all things social media-people really just want to see pics?  Isn’t it just Twitter in picture version?  But yes.  WE WANT ALL THE PICTURES! And suddenly Instagram is […]

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