One thing I find funny about the Christmas Village (besides it's inevitable growth each year, it now takes two tables to set up the entire thing) is the little details most people seemt to miss, like the graveyard and the velociraptor in the church entrance.
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But that all goes with the general theme of mixing Christmas with ... other stuff. We went out and purchased our tree (Claude) right after Thanksgiving and set up the rest of the decorations over the weekend. Dobie the cat was not helpful. Presents slowly appeared under the tree for the next few weeks without regard for the need to haul them all the way across Massachusetts; fortunately, Noah rented a full sized SUV and between it, the Highlander, and a lot of cramming, we managed to fit everyone and everything in.
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Maddy and Brenna flew in a few days early and we went to see the Boston Ballet Nutcracker on Friday in Boston, which happened to be the date of the only snowstorm Massachusetts has seen to date thanks to global warming. Despite the awkward travelling weather, it was well worth it and really brought home the feeling of the holidays with it's ornate theater and sets, and of course, the dancing. I was suprised to learn that Boston Ballet is in the top 25 ballet troops in the world.
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Afterwards, we went out for dinner and enjoyed the weather and lights in the Boston Common.
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Then, Saturday, it was off for the Playhouse. It's a historical building that was, in fact, originally a Playhouse, renovated into a 7000 square foot mansion that could easily host a dinner party for a hundred people between the fully stocked kitchen and the giant open area for entertaining. That meant it was barely large enough to contain the constant movement of the two grandchildren who delighted in the wide open space and the undivided attention of grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles.
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Alison had a surprise for everyone, matching pajamas that became de rigueur morning wear for everyone in the house. Unlike our prior family get togethers in places like Hawaii and Mammoth Mountain, this trip was more about spending time together as it's a little hard to get out much with two one year olds. But there was something just as special about having dinner together and the communal unwrapping of presents Christmas morning that was just as fun.
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We also celebrated Little Dave and Cora's birthdays, since they were born around the same time. Good, messy fun for all (but mostly for the two of them).
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We did get out for a few hikes to a local farm, a little shopping and eating in quaint Lenox, and visiting the Berkshires Museum, which was much larger that we expected.
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And, finally, we did the Winter Lights festival at Naumkeag, which was also much more extensive than we expected, and was the perfect way to cap off the week.
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ON TO 2025!