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December 21, 2015
T'was the week before Christmas...
This week was filled with Holiday parties and performances.
My mom made #2 son a Teddy Bear costume for the school Beary Merry Christmas song and dance performance. They all put in an amazing effort.
Kat's Christmas party was in the office this year, they provided a margarita machine.
My mom has left for Christmas with my sister in Nebraska, we had our first round of gifts on the eve of her departure, just after watching Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens. She once gain received an orange fox cookie jar, and she was able to keep it this time.
2015 will surely go down in history as the Star Wars Christmas.
#2 son is in love with his multi-tool.
Kylo Ren went to Dim Sum at Chinatown with us, he took all the chicken feet.
December 13, 2015
Seemless backdrop day...
It's the time of year we gather to make a Christmas card picture. It's not easy getting everybody in the shot, especially when we're using the self timer function. But while I was adjusting the lighting, they just get to be themselves. Sometimes that's really the best picture.
Quiet Company Holiday Party 2015
We hosted the Quiet Company Christmas party for the fourth year. We didn't urge friends to buy tickets this year. We found that some friends were confused by the event. Some people figured we had a party, and charged them to attend... This party is all about Quiet Company and their fans. We just let them gather in our home. It was a good event and fun was had by all. A few drinks were spilled, some people enjoyed beverages but brought few or none. Subsequently some were disappointed when they found what they'd brought had been shared up by others. I felt bad when a girl asked me what happened to all the beer she'd left on the counter (it wasn't me, I didn't drink much this year). But in whole, everybody was well behaved with no real complaints.
The party has also become more of a family event. The band is comfortable bringing their kids and family along. We've all been doing this long enough it's almost like an extended family party.
It was a house full of people and plenty of food was shared this year.
Another Ugly Sweater/Festive attire contest
There was the white elephant gift exchange. This was the first year #2 son was home for the party, my mom was here as well.
The key to winning at White Elephant is in the stealing. We made a deal with #2 son that he'd not cry if somebody stole his gift. He did good, but he refused to steal from anybody else.
Cute fox, but it was stolen away from her after I took this photo. That's how it goes...
The highlight of the evening, Quiet Company played a mixture of songs from their catalog with some holiday standards fused into the middle. It was big fun and they sounded great. The audience joined in with kazoos... really.
December 07, 2015
Lost Maples State Park late fall colors
We enjoyed a quick cold weather camping trip to Lost Maples.
Santa, if you read this blog... the daughter could use some real hiking shoes/boots this year.
...She needs proper footwear Santa.
We came home and quickly washed a couple days of dirt off and ran to PHP for some of those $3 afternoon pints and to try their pizza.
I know, you've seen enough pictures of my beers... but a golden light came in and lit it just so perfectly. Thank you universe for showing me the light, and I'll gladly share it with you.
Star Student Award
#1 son was happy to receive his Star Student Award
Hotel Granduca Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
We have a new Hotel in the neighborhood, the Granduca. They invited us to a tree lighting ceremony.
Santa was there and #2 son had plenty to tell him.
The hotel was valet parking only, it costs $16. You can get complimentary valet if you make a bar or restaurant purchase. That glass of cab was $15 but my valet was free (still winning).
Baloon artist led to epic sword battles.
Jimmie Vaughn and family were there to light the tree.
ILLUMINATED!