Christmas Eve included appetizer supper, putting the star on the top of the Christmas tree advent calendar, and watching Mr Bean in new jammies.

So much excitement!

Christmas board game gift from Mary and Will

It’s the fifth year of our traditional Nutcracker outing. Houston Ballet is performing out of a bunch of different venues right now since their theatre was flooded in Hurricane Harvey (15 feet of water!). So no fancy tree for a photo this year, and we got drenched in a downpour getting from the car to the theatre, but we had a great time.

Colin had an idea for JUST what Daddy would want for Christmas. I won’t spoil the surprise, but he had fun making it.

This is this second year that a Christmas Elf has sent Colin a box of yummy pears to enjoy. One of the pears comes wrapped in gold foil. Colin is happy to share the rest of the pears, but the golden pear is all his.

MacDougall was determined to be a part of it. Lucky for him, Cliff’s hip was sore and he just wanted to sit on the couch. It still might have been easier not to have a dog directly on top of him.

It would appear MacDougall does not appreciate the alto recorder.

The family holiday party was held at my workplace Thursday night. Both kids were excited to get face painting. Laura chose a Nutcracker design:

And Colin requested a festive holiday snake. The artist was slightly befuddled, but did an excellent job fulfilling Colin’s request.