we got a tree + a new holiday tradition

my take on traditions is that they are activities you did in the past, probably on a sentimental day, that turned out really well. so well, or so racked with guilt, you do it again, and again... year after year. sometimes it catches on, like celebrating christmas and birthdays. since the arrival of our kids, josh and i have made our own family traditions like crazy. we do chinese take-out on new year's eve... visit the canals in venice on new year's day (ed. note: that's venice, california. they have canals too. we're not THAT fancy.)... and always get our christamas tree at mr. jingle's tree lot the sunday after thanksgiving.

the buying of the tree is one of my favorites and this year we added breakfast at the 101 coffee shop first and thought it would be a great tradition... diner then tree. right? so we did just that. on our way there we realized wow, this was our first breakfast out as a family. i guess we're just more social in the afternoon. anyway. it was sooo fun. despite its uber cool factor the 101 is really kid friendly. it is loud and full of holiday decorations. and with only a 10 minute wait on a sunday during brunch hours? can i just say THANK YOU.

a few photos from our day...

so like i said, it was about a ten minute wait. not a long time but with two toddlers in tow, well it doesn't exactly fly by. luckily, the joint is loud and didn't seem to mind a moderate amount of horseplay and messing with the jukebox while we waited.

now i don't know about you and your meal partners, but with mine, i get about 5 minutes of freedom before i have to start dancing for my dinner so-to-speak. i usually check out the menu beforehand so i can order immediately, thus avoiding anymore wait. but i just plain old forgot this time. so we played peek-a-boo (knox's favorite game right now and it's the cutest thing ever to witness), took lots of selfies and rearranged the sugar packets until the food came.

this was the first time i didn't order their famous veggie chili and got the no-huevos rancheros + soyrizo. it was better than mom's, mom being me! we ordered the basic breakfast for the boys who ate some of the eggs, dismembered the pancakes, glared at the bacon and drank the maple syrup. so next time i'll just order eggs with a side of syrup. got it. josh got the french toast, which he loved and was happy to eat all by himself. i am not a fan of le french toast.

time to hunt for our tree! and walk the red carpet? sure, why the heck not!

chasing them around this place was equal parts fun + terrifying. all i'm gonna say.

yay! candy cane's are back in season! do any of you like the non-peppermint ones? i'm not sold. i like the old-school mint. ugh and not cinnamon. not ever!

and there she is.

welcome home.

happy holidays + friday sunshines!