Snow Squirrel: Christmas 2011

The week before Christmas found us kicking off the holidays by taking out a sailboat for the Newport Beach Boat Parade. It was freezing out, but we had a great time. The Sponge Bob themed boat was my favorite. On Christmas Eve, the entire family went to see White Christmas at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. It was a tremendous production, and having not seen the movie made it even more fun since I did not know the story. I did however know some of the songs they performed. It was set in the 1950's, one of my favorite eras. It was ironic that the setting of the play was set in a Vermont ski lodge with no snow, because the weather we experienced over the Christmas holiday this year was almost identical. The song's in the play definitely made me feel more 'festivous'. After the play, we all went to my family's house and enjoyed a great dinner, watched Elf, and played Things in a Box with the cousins. It was a great way to spend the night, and I am so glad we were all together, since it was the first Christmas without Grandpa. This was the first Noel for Kit and I. Although he had to fly out to Sedona later in the day, it was nice to spend the morning together. After waking up at the house, Kit and I went to my parents to open gifts. We drank Baileys and Coffees, ate cinnamon rolls, and opened gifts with Christmas Vacation playing in the background. (Another solid Pearson family tradition). Kit gave me a pair of Hunter boots, and although we were all shocked at the bright red color (he thought he ordered black) I decided I loved them. We got Kit an Kindle but forgot to give it to him! (I did not realize this until later that night). After dropping Kit off at the airport, we all went to the neighbors house for Brett and Danae's 3rd Annual neighborhood Christmas Day party. They had a bloody Mary and Mimosa bar set up, and it was fun to spend the afternoon playing with all the kids and enjoying the good company. We are fortunate to have such a fun block. It feels like an extended family and I look forward to growing our family someday.