Morrison Family: The San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker

I am pretty sure that I was more excited about taking Lilana to the Nutcracker than she was about going. It was a beautiful day in San Francisco and on the drive over the bridge I got a little teary about taking my big girl to the Nutcracker in the city for the first time. She was dressed up and looked beautiful and I was proud of her and felt so lucky to be able to start another holiday tradition with her.
We went to meet with the Tollacks and to have hot chocolate and champagne at the Fairmont with Adam and Maverick before the show. Layla and Liliana were so excited to see each other and they had a blast running through the life sized gingerbread house and drinking their hot cocoas with their fancy "pinkies up". After drinks we said goodbye to the boys and headed to dinner in Hayes Valley where we could walk to the Opera House afterward.
The Civic Center was lit up with red and green lights, the Symphony Hall across the street looked beautiful with a Christmas tree in every window and the Opera House was lit up and had "snow" falling outside its doors to greet everyone. It was a truly magical holiday sight. They gave each guest a special teddy bear as they entered. Between the lights, snow, and new toy the girls were SO excited.
We had really good seats for the show and the girls watched quietly and intently throughout the whole thing. During intermission they had a blast in "Candy Land" where they got to fill their own candy containers with whatever sweets they chose from the many colorful candy bins.
I asked Liliana what her favorite part of the show was and she said, "EVERY PART!"
I can't wait to take her again next year...

Photos at the Fairmont. The life-sized gingerbread house was pretty cool...