Over the summer, my team started discussing the possibility of getting together for a week of working in the same place – and some meetings and workshops to take advantage of the opportunity. It was a great idea, and I was super into it, but when the dates were announced it happened to fall over my birthday week. Rather than ring in a new year alone in a hotel room, I brought my celebration crew with me to Seattle. (It’s nice to work for the coolest team leader in the company.) My meetings started on Monday, but we flew in early on Saturday morning to enjoy a weekend of Seattle sightseeing together. First stop – the Seattle library.

Most of the library was still closed off to casual visitors due to COVID, but we were able to take in the massive windows – too, too cool.

The kids needed some down time, so our next stop was the spectacular children’s section.

They loved wandering the stacks, and they both picked out a few books to crash with on the comfy couches.

They probably spent a good hour – or more – reading their way through their piles, and then they asked if they could check books out. Sorry, kids, we don’t live in Seattle. (I need to take them to the library back at home. One of these days.)

Still looking for indoor activities (it was COLD, and wet) we hit upon the Seattle Art Museum and its “Monet at Etretat” exhibition. I love all things Monet and a curated exhibit was enticing.

Gorgeous! The colors and the play of light on canvas – I can never get enough.

After slowly working our way through the Monet exhibit, we wandered the rest of the gallery, taking in the eclectic mix of art from several centuries.

Beautiful! We loved the Seattle Art Museum – even the kids enjoyed themselves (and it was rather a lot to ask after a day of travel).

Next week: day two of our family weekend in Seattle, and we get quite a skyline view.