Toasting you in the new year!
The PipToads have really enjoyed a fabulous holiday season and NYE is right around the corner. Not getting on a plane really reduced the street level, and with two 4 day weekends back-to-back, it really felt like we could relax.
It started with a spontaneous lunch with one of my most dear college friends, Bob Lasher. We got a same day reservation and stole away to the Water Bar and had a glorious time catching up over a festive array of seafood and top shelf Champagne.
A grinning, debonair Bob Lasher!
Next was all the fun of preparing for the Christmas holiday itself! We bought our tree at Long’s Drugs this year (so much cheaper) and decorated it early in the month. Clara Mae loved playing with the ornaments. She is also infatuated with all things Nutcracker, after seeing a very polished, over-the-top performance by the Houston Ballet with Doug and his mother. And no, she is not a Santa but she does LOVE to play dress up as one.
Clara Mae's 3rd Santa suit so far....
Bob McMillan and Anna Dow invited us over for Christmas Eve at their amazing flat in North Beach. This is becoming a lovely tradition when we are in town. This year, we attended Christmas Mass at the Saints Peter and Paul Church, the giant place right in the middle of Washington Square Park. GiGi performed in the liturgy, so we were excited to dress up and go see her and sing hymns and feel reverent in a gorgeous old building. It was VERY San Francisco. The pastor was Asian, the parishoners a TOTAL mix of tribes and cultures, and then there was us. The children were invited to the front of the church to hear a lesson, lured by candy ring pops. Of course, Clara Mae was motivated to go up there alone.
Clara Mae and GiGi, evil and good
The next day was full of presents for Clara Mae. We decided to skimp on each other and shower her with a few big presents. All she really wanted was a “Barbie Family”. She got that, a new bicycle, the classic Candy Land and Operation board games, tons of clothes, new charms for her bracelet, and more costume and toy boxes. The girl is lucky and so blessed by generous grandparents!
Holiday Sparkle Barbie-- that is all they had left at Target
Biking in the house
