Eastside Seattle Staycation

A few weeks ago my parents were in town to celebrate our daughter's birthday with us. We have started to try to get a night away as often as we can when they come to visit. Now that all children are weaned and older, getting 24 hours away on our own is life giving to our relationship. 

We usually stay pretty close to home here on the eastside. It is more about the time together then the destination. Plus we are close by if there is an emergency. And I really just like getting to know our city better. It is much easier to explore and eat at nicer restaurants when we don't have any kids with us!

We stayed at The Heathman in downtown Kirkland. We have stayed here once before (with baby girl with us) and love it. The hotel is lovely, the restaurant is amazing, and being in downtown Kirkland we can walk around without having to drive anywhere.

The restaurant at the hotel is Hearth and it is spectacular. We had dinner and brunch here (which we also did last time!) because the food is so good. Everything we have ordered each time is so flavorful and delicious. I am not sure I can say this about anywhere. It's so good! And of course, you can eat here even if you aren't staying at the hotel.

After dinner we took a little stroll downtown. It was brief because it was freezing!

It is a short walk down to Marina Park on the water and it is one of my favorite places. When I just had my two oldest we would come here almost every week in the summer to play in the water after picking up groceries.

Then back to our room for some TV, a bath, and some treats we picked up at Fred Meyer on the way in.

The next morning we woke up to snow! We have been waiting all winter for it to finally snow. So magical!

Across the street from the hotel is Kirkland Bakery which is also amazing. I always get their herb meat and cheese croissant. 

Then we head back to our room to relax a little more, watch TV, and pack up before heading to a late brunch. I literally just want to lay in bed all morning. Such a luxury after having kids!

My croissant with a matcha latte.

And of course I cannot pass up a Nespresso in the room. And then I talk Brent's ear off because I drank so much caffeine! 

Then back to Hearth for brunch. It is past noon but I still had to try their chai chia pudding! It was like dessert! Brent got a chicken sandwich and I had to have a few bites because it was also amazing.

We often go shopping when we get our day date away (another luxury without kids!). Especially with the snow and how cold it was, there wasn't a lot to do. So we decided to try out the new light rail that opened up in Redmond. They are working their way to get the light rail to go all the way across the water to Seattle. We are really excited for this. But for now we tried out the ride from Redmond to Bellevue to hit up the mall. And it was so much fun!

The place was empty on a Sunday afternoon but I imagine it is much busier during the week.

I love being in the city. Being able to walk and take public transportation was an activity all on its own! We will have to take the kids sometime - they would love it.

Views from the window.

Makes me miss our Washington DC days.

We got off and it was a quick and easy walk to the mall (much faster and easier than the GPS let on).

After riding back to Redmond we stopped for dinner.

And then braved the snow in downtown Redmond because I didn't want to go home! Make this day last longer please!

Then we stopped into Molly Moon's for their toasted marshmallow hot chocolate (amazing) and a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. The salted caramel is my absolute favorite. It is so salty that they make you sample it first if you have never tried it. I think it is delicious!

And then we hit up TJ-Maxx and HomeGoods on the way home to keep the night going just a little longer! Proof of a refreshing and reconnecting night away. I am so thankful for these moments with Brent and for my parents who so graciously encourage us to go while they watch our kids. All these years and kids later, it is always so wonderful to be together.