[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
♪ It's getting cold again
♪ I'm hoping that this year
we'll get a little snow ♪
♪ Hm, hm ♪
♪ We're taking out
the decorations ♪
♪ Hung up all the
lights and mistletoe ♪
♪ Hm, hm
♪ The counter's
full of cookies ♪
♪ And the living room's
got a big ole tree ♪
♪ Hm, hm ♪
♪ I'm trying to keep
up our traditions ♪
♪ Trying to live up
to our memories ♪
♪ Hm, hm ♪
♪ But I know come starry night ♪
♪ Sitting by that fire light ♪
♪ That there's no Christmas ♪
♪ Without you
[upbeat country music]
- [Carter] Mom, mom!
Mom!
We wrapped our
teacher's presents.
- Ah.
- And you need to judge
which one is best.
- We don't have time.
It's the last day of school
before Christmas break,
you don't want to be late.
- But the loser has to
make both of our beds.
- For a week.
- Oh wow, that's pretty serious.
Okay, well we have five
minutes before we have to leave
so let's do this.
Please place your
presents upon the table.
Very nice.
It's going to be very tough.
Carter, your use of
adhesives is prolific.
- What's prolific?
- Don't worry, it's really good.
- [Carter] All right, I win!
- And Peyton, the way you
seemingly use Christmas flare
as a metaphor for the
accesses of the holidays.
It's insightful.
- Oh yeah.
I'm insightful.
- But who wins?
- It's too difficult to
decide, I call it a tie.
- [Peyton] You
always call a tie.
- Don't forget this, it's
for your show and tell.
- What's up with Nanna's hair?
- [Erin] It was the
style back then.
- It wasn't very stylish.
- Yeah, it's pretty silly.
People liked big
hair in the 90's.
- Do we have one
of these albums?
- Hm, all y'all's
pictures are online.
I can print some out, but later.
We gotta go 'cause I have
an appointment with Tessa.
[phone ringing]
- Why do you never answer
the phone when Grandee calls?
- Okay, come on, we gotta go.
Let's go.
Grab your jackets,
quick, quick, quick.
[upbeat country music]
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- When am I ever gonna
need to stack quarters?
- Just pretend you're a bounty
pirate, stacking your gold.
- I'd like to make these
useless fingers walk the plank.
- Even when you aren't
successful, you're
and dexterity equals?
- Blessed independence.
- Oh, hold on.
I don't want to forget,
since this is our
last appointment
- Aw, you shouldn't have
to get me a present.
- I got all my patients a
gift, but yours is special
'cause don't tell anyone
you're my favorite.
- You can't help yourself.
I've got a magnetic personality.
- That's true.
Open it.
- Is this just another exercise?
- No, but good idea.
Oh my, did you do this?
- You like it?
- I love it.
- Good, I'm glad.
- What are you and your girls
doing for Christmas this year?
- We'll just spend
Christmas at my mom's.
- Is your father in the picture?
- My parents haven't been
together since I was nine,
so I don't see my dad very much.
He's a good guy and I
love him, it's just.
- Does he live far from Austin?
- A couple of hours.
- Why don't you
see him more often?
- Do you want to try
stacking the quarters
with these fingers now?
- Sometimes the holidays
can be a lot of pressure.
- Good job.
Great.
- [Nana] I never would have
guessed Phil's Christmas present
was a tropical holiday vacation.
- He knows how much
you hate the cold.
- Do you think I will
look good in this one?
- Hm, you look good
in everything mom.
- Oh, I just want
it to be perfect.
- Oh Erin, I think Phil
is going to propose.
- Really?
- Yeah!
- Aw.
- You know, I never thought
I wanted to be married again
after your dad, but Phil
has melted my heart.
- Mom, I'm so happy for you.
- [Nana] Thank you.
You know, maybe it's time that
you started thinking
about love again too.
- Well, I've got
work and the girls,
I'm thinking about
going back to school.
Where exactly do I
fit in the romance?
- It's been three
years now honey.
- And we're doing great, so
why upset the apple cart?
- You are a wonderful
mama to those girls.
There's nothing wrong with
having somebody to lean on.
- I don't need
anybody to lean on.
- Honey, are you sure
you're okay with this?
- Of course I am.
Mom, you deserve all the
good and wonderful times.
- So do you.
I love you.
- I love you too.
I better go get the girls.
I promised them we'd
make brownies after work.
Have fun packing.
- I am going on vacation.
- [Carter] It's officially
Christmas break.
- You know it's officially
a Christmas break
when we start
decorating the tree.
- Okay, wait until
they cool down.
Now your daddy taught me
how to make those brownies.
- 'Cause you can couldn't cook.
- She still doesn't
know how to cook.
- That is right.
We made a deal
when we got married
that I would make our lunches
because I'm a very
talented sandwich stacker
and daddy would make dinner,
but he taught me to make
the Christmas brownies
because he always used to say,
everyone should have one holiday
recipe they know by heart.
- I miss daddy
more at Christmas.
- Me too, sweetie.
But he's watching us
from heaven, right?
- Yeah, that's how he knows
you burned the first batch.
- Mom, the star's broken.
- Oh, it's not broken,
it's just been loved.
I think I have some tape in
the junk drawer upstairs.
[phone ringing]
- Oh, it's Grandee.
Hi Grandee.
- Peyton, hey.
What do you know what's good?
- We're decorating
our Christmas tree.
- Hi Grandee.
- Hi there, Teddy bear.
Where's your mama at?
- Oh, she's upstairs.
- She sure isn't easy to
get ahold of these days.
- She's really busy.
- Yeah, you know, me too.
We've got a whole mess of new
goats out here on the ranch.
- Really?
- Can you send us pictures?
- Farrah and I were hoping that
maybe you'd come out
Christmas for a visit
and you could see
it for yourself.
- [Carter] Yes!
- Hi dad.
- Can we go to
Grandee's for Christmas?
- To see the baby goats.
- [Dad] We'd love to see you.
Farrah's got the house
all done up for Christmas.
You'll have to be careful,
you come out here she
doesn't decorate you too.
- Oh, I don't know.
- Please.
- Please mom.
- [Grandee] We've never had
a Christmas with the girls.
- Please mom.
- Please.
- Well, I, I did take
the whole week off
since the girls
are out of school.
- [Grandee] Well then
come and spend it with us.
I mean, Farrah would just
about die of happiness
having a crowd to cook for.
- Please mom.
- I love goats so much.
- Okay.
We'll come dad.
- Yes!
- We'll get the rooms ready.
- Sure.
- I can't wait to see you.
- We'll talk to you later.
- Bye Grandee.
- Bye Grandee.
- Well, I guess we're
going to Grandee's.
- Yay!
- Yes!
[subtle country music]
♪ Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪
♪ Hey
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪
♪ Jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh what fun it is
to ride in a one ♪
- [Erin] Uh oh.
- [Carter] That's not the words.
- The presents.
- You gotta get them, mom.
- What am I gonna do?
Ugh, they're everywhere.
Oh, no, no, no, don't
run over the gifts.
Thank you so much for stopping.
Hi, sorry about this.
- Same thing happened
to me one time,
except there was a queen size
mattress on the interstate.
- [Erin] Oh wow,
looks like we could both
use a knot tying class.
- Hey!
Where are you ladies headed?
- Sorry, who were you?
- Mateo.
Need some help?
- Thanks Mateo, but I, I
think I can handle this.
- Well, I mean we can't
really go anywhere
until we're all picked
up, so I'll just help you.
- Farrah is expecting
us for dinner soon
and we're going to be late.
- Are you Gary's daughter?
- Yeah.
You know my dad?
- Yeah.
Him and Farrah come down to
my restaurant pretty regular.
He'd been bragging about
his grandkids coming to
visit him for Christmas.
- Hi, I'm Erin.
- Erin.
Well hey why don't I um,
why don't I load up the
truck with the presents
and I just follow you over?
- Oh, thank you but
I'm really okay.
I think I can handle this.
- All right, okay.
Let's you know what?
Let's, let's load up the truck.
I got a lot of space.
- Yes, thank you.
That would be great.
- Oh, Merry Christmas,
that's heavy.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Is that man a cowboy?
- Why did you let him
take our presents?
- He's just helping us
take then to Grandee's.
- Then he's the handsome cowboy
and we're the
damsels in distress.
- We are not
damsels in distress.
We are very capable women
who've just unexpectedly
changed our game plan.
He does look a
little like a cowboy.
- Cowboy.
- Here we go.
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
♪ Jingle all the way
[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
- There they are!
Hello you!
- Grandee!
- [Greg] Hey you wild cats,
come give Grandee a hug.
- Look at you girls!
Oh, look at you.
Come here you little munchkin,
duck underneath there.
- Hey, did you guys get
yourself a Santa Claus
to hand out your presents?
- She almost lost all
of them out on route 55.
- I tied them to
the top of the car.
- [Farrah] Mateo, you are
a Knight in shining armor.
- Thank you.
- Handsome gentlemen
and he's single.
- Ah.
- Oh you okay?
- Yeah, yeah.
It's just a bum shoulder.
High school football souvenir.
- Well, make sure you hold
it with your whole hand
and not just your fingers.
Keep it close to your body,
don't overextend your arms.
It'll put more
pressure on your back.
Sorry, I am an
occupational therapist
so it's force of habit.
- I don't mind a bit.
- Hey Gary.
- I'm so glad you're here, baby.
- Me too.
- You saved us from a
Christmas or nothing but rocks.
- Hey, the least I could do.
- You didn't bring
me tamales, did you?
- Ah, all out for today.
- Mateo here owns
the Verdosa Cocina.
Best tamales in town.
- Oh, you're the tamale king?
- Yeah, I, I didn't know they
were going to call me that
in the article.
- They ranked your
top tamale in Texas.
- Well um, hey you should come
on down to the restaurant.
We'll give you
the VIP treatment.
Here, this has
the address on it.
- Thanks.
Okay.
- Okay.
- [Mateo] Okay.
- Let me give you a hand with
the rest of those presents.
- All the presents were
safe and sound in the house,
but you know what?
I should probably
head back to work.
Dina's up to her
eyeballs in masa
so you folks have a
good night and uh,
it was really nice meeting you.
- Well, thank you again.
- Yeah.
- Good seeing you.
- Can I help you unload?
- I've got it.
[subtle country music]
- Where's those squirmy
grandkids of mine?
- Well, they were driving us
crazy begging to see the goats.
so Farrah took them out to find
pine cones for her projects.
- You know, I've been trying
to pull that tree
stump out of there
for a couple of weeks now.
- But you decided to do it now?
- Well Curtis lent me
his back hoe for the day.
- You promised them that they
get to feed the baby goats.
- And they will.
- Please don't
disappoint them, okay?
- I will take them.
I'm going to go wash up.
[subtle piano music]
- [Peyton] It's everywhere.
Mom doesn't let us have
glitter in the house.
- Oh, don't worry.
She and I made a
deal that it's okay
if all the glitter
stays at my house.
- [Carter] But how do the
baby goats know who they are
if they don't have names?
- Well, I guess they just know.
- But how?
- Well, I never really
thought about it.
- They have to have names
'cause what if they get lost
and we have to call them home?
- Hm, well you'll just
have to name them I guess.
- This one is Coco.
- And who's that?
- [Carter] And she's Marshmallow
'cause she's all white.
I think this one's Licorice.
- Are they all named after food?
- Of course.
- All right.
How'd you ladies like to help
me wash up the dinner dishes
for my loving bride?
- Okay Grandee.
- Okay, let's start,
come here you.
- Okay, y'all wash and I'll dry.
[subtle country music]
- Can I give Eggnog her bottle?
- You sure can.
- And can I give
her the next one?
- You bet.
- Shotgun!
- I called the next shotgun.
- Oh you didn't.
- Hey, you need to wrap up.
I don't want you getting
another sore throat.
- Thanks mom.
- You want to come with us?
- I was going to take a walk.
- Aw.
- Come on, you
can meet Licorice.
If you rub her belly,
she falls asleep.
- Please mom.
- Okay.
- Yay!
[upbeat country music]
[cheering]
- You got that bottle, Peyton?
- Uh huh.
- [Gary] Okay, I
bet she's hungry.
- Come on.
- There you go.
- Oh, hi.
Oh, it's okay.
Hi, oh she's so sweet.
- Yeah, they tend to get
a bit ornery sometimes.
But Farrah loves having
them little critters around
till they start
eating your begonias.
- What's this one's name?
- Oh, that one is either
Marshmallow or Whip Cream.
- Is that goat for put the
baby down and back away?
- Oh, that's old Luna Belle.
You guys best be
careful around her.
She has a tendency to
nibble at your back side
if you rub her the wrong way.
- Well, I prefer to keep
my backside in one piece.
- Aw, come on.
Where's your sense of adventure?
- Hiding behind my
aversion to pain.
- That was just goat kisses.
- Well, I'm going
to go for my walk.
Girls, listen to Grandee, okay?
- Okay.
- Hey girls, what do we got?
[laughter]
[upbeat country music]
- Hey.
- Oh, hey you.
I was just picking
up some pecans
for my Christmas fruitcake.
- Ah.
- Your daddy is so happy that
you and the girls are here.
- I'm glad.
- He'd love to see
them more often,
he talks about those
girls all the time.
- Things just get so crazy.
- But you made it
home for Christmas.
- Well, the girls
wouldn't let me say no.
I didn't mean it like that.
It just gets complicated
with me and my dad sometimes.
- Your daddy hasn't always
been the most available,
missing out on
spending time with you
has been his biggest regret.
- Well, he's really
good with the girls.
- Sometimes being a grandparent
is easier than being a parent.
All the perks, none
of the pressure.
- I guess that's true.
- Well, I better get these
back up to the house,
those fruit cakes
won't bake themselves.
- Okay.
♪ Deck the halls
with bells of holly ♪
♪ Fa la la la la
la la la la la ♪
- Okay, goofy girls.
Last call for the sleep train.
Come on, let's go.
- [Carter] We have
lots of energy
'cause Grandee gave
us candy canes.
Sugar, sugar!
- Sugar rush.
- Well, you're going to have
to take your sugar rush to bed.
Come on, I gotta go.
- We want Grandee
to read us a story.
- Please Grandee?
- Grandee's busy.
- I don't mind.
- They're wild tonight.
- I'll take it as a challenge.
- Okay.
- Yes.
- All right, let's do it.
Okay, now this is a story
about two little girls
who got stuck in Santa's sleigh
and ended up in the North Pole.
Now, that was more
than 700 years ago.
- Oh, going somewhere honey?
- Oh, just going to grab a
few things for some brownies.
- Oh, me pantry es sous pantry.
- I was actually going to
try to find a coffee place.
I don't have a
sitter very often,
so thought I'd take a
few minutes to myself.
- Oh, well I don't know
where you gonna find coffee
in Ellington this late.
[upbeat country music]
[bell rings]
[subtle country music]
♪ Stack your plates
with fresh tamales ♪
♪ Santa ate well
now he's jolly ♪
[giggling]
- How long have you been here?
- I didn't know those were
the words to that song.
- To be fair, I kind of
made up that last part.
- It was really
good, I'm impressed.
- Thank you.
I would love to make good on
my promise of a tamale feast,
but we just sold out and
the kitchen is closed.
- No problem.
You still got any coffee?
- That I can do.
Be right back.
- Hey, who are you
talking to out there?
- Customer.
- Pretty customer.
I guess that explains
the after hours service.
- That's Gary Burns's daughter.
- Oh she is.
- She read the article
in the Texas Traveler.
I told her to drop
by, try some tamales.
- You know what?
I just remembered, I
forgot to feed the dog.
- When did you get a dog?
- Just a teeny tiny dog.
I may not have mentioned it.
- What?
- Yeah.
You know, anyways
I'm sure that you've got
this all under control.
So you don't mind if I just
pop out and take care of that?
- You don't even like dogs.
- I really do now.
Especially the small ones,
they're just anyway have fun.
[whimsical music]
- Thanks for helping
out with those.
- Yeah.
Thanks for letting me hang
out here for a little while.
It's getting kind of
claustrophobic at the ranch.
- No worries.
- Christmas can be a lot, right?
- Yeah, busiest
time of year for us.
- Oh yeah, Christmas tamales.
- I usually don't see the
light of day until January 1st.
- So do you do this a lot?
- What, salt shakers?
- Invite women over
to your restaurant
and woo them with your
late night hospitality.
- If I'm not mistaken,
you've invited yourself
over at this hour
and as for the hospitality,
I don't tend to waste my
time usually with something,
unless I'm really interested.
- I see.
[upbeat country music]
♪ It's you
♪ Please let it be true ♪
♪ Out of my dreams
♪ You have come alive ♪
♪ I was down
♪ Eyes to the ground ♪
♪ Till you came around ♪
♪ Lifted me up high ♪
- It's getting late, I
should probably head out.
I wouldn't anyone
to worry about me.
- I still owe you
some tamales though.
- I'll hold you to it.
Um,
so I guess I'll see you soon.
- The sooner, the better.
- Bye.
♪ What will I do
♪ If I'm without you ♪
♪ Late in the night
♪ I'm off to say goodbye
- We were worried about you.
- Geez.
You nearly scared me to death.
- I didn't mean to startle you.
Where the heck did you go?
- I just went for a drive.
- You left your phone.
- I'm a grown woman dad.
- Yeah, but we didn't have
any way to get a hold of you.
- I'm home now daddy,
you can go to bed.
- Oh uh, don't forget
Farrah wants to take the
girls into town tomorrow
for the Christmas market.
- I won't.
- Goodnight.
- [Erin] Goodnight.
♪ What can I do ♪
♪ I kinda love you ♪
♪ Kinda love you
♪ What will I do
[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
- Let's go see the Santa.
- Oh yeah.
- We still have so
many presents to buy.
We used to have one
of those Santa's.
- Yeah, but Mom got rid of it
because she said
it was following her around
all the time.
- What?
It's like those
paintings with the eye
that follow you around the room.
- Well look who it is?
- Oh, hi Mateo.
- Hey.
Hey Erin.
- Hi.
- What you up to later on,
you want to help me fill
up the salt shakers again?
- Salt shakers?
- You gonna pay
me the same rate?
- Luke warm coffee,
you got a deal.
- So that's where
you were last night.
Ow.
- So, what are you up to?
- Oh, I just picked
up some presents
and now I'm headed uptown to
drop off these mail orders.
- [Farrah] You know Mateo,
your timing is perfect.
The girls and I need to
pick out a Christmas present
for their mama.
Maybe you could take
her to the post office
and get her out of our
hair for a few minutes.
- What's Erin gonna
do at the post office?
Ow.
You mind?
- No, not at all, not at all.
- I don't mind either.
- Didn't figure you would.
Come on gals, let's play Santa.
- Yay, let's go play Santa.
- See you later.
- Bye.
- Just, it's just this
way past the church booth.
- Can I carry one
of those for you?
- Yeah, sure thanks.
- Oh wow.
What a pretty nativity,
it's so detailed.
- First Church of Ellington
bought this nativity
75 years ago.
It's a big tradition
around here.
- Where's the baby Jesus?
- Oh, they don't put the
baby in until Christmas Eve.
They have this really
wonderful holiday service
down at the church, everybody
holds candles and sings.
- It sounds so beautiful.
- Yeah, it really is.
You gonna be here to see it?
- We're staying
through Christmas.
- Great.
- What time does the
post office close today?
- I forgot we were on a mission.
Follow me.
You better get that
last minute shopping in.
- Oh, did you get all
your parcels mailed?
- Yes ma'am, last
batch is on its way.
- Did the girls get
me something good?
- Maybe, it's a secret.
Gary and the girls are
waiting in the car.
We should probably go.
- Okay, well.
- I made my famous
Christmas fruit cake, Mateo.
Why don't you come over later
and celebrate with
a slice or three?
- I should really head
back to the restaurant.
- So around three o'clock then?
- Who am I to say no to
your famous fruit cake?
I'll be there.
- Best fruit cake you ever had.
- All right, see you then.
- See you then.
[upbeat country music]
- Hey.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Dee, what's the scoop?
- Hey, we are already sold
out of the adobo tamales
and we're low on
beans and cheese.
- Christmas rush has
officially started.
- Uh huh, I put some
husks in the sink to soak.
- All right, I'll clean them.
- No, you will not.
You were here half the night
prepping the mail orders.
I will do the husks, just
deal with the take out.
- Thanks, you are best.
Can you, can you hold down
the fort later this afternoon?
I have a thing.
- A thing?
You don't have things,
you practically live here.
What thing?
- It's just a thing.
- Oh, you have a thing
with Ms. Saltshaker.
- Okay, first of all, you
know her name is Erin.
Second of all,
Farrah invited me.
Third of all, we're
having fruitcake.
- Fruitcake, sounds serious.
- Look, if you can't do
it, I'll just tell them.
- Oh, no, no, no.
I can do it.
- Thank you.
- I will just be expecting
more details very soon.
- Got your order, sir.
- Hi.
[upbeat country music]
- Nice little winter
rain rainstorm.
- Ah, just pretend
it's melted snowflakes.
This looks like a good one.
- I haven't done this in ages.
- Well the difference is you
used to shimmy up the tree.
- Yeah, well I think my tree
shimmying days are over.
- I told Farrah I'd give her
500 feet of fake mistletoe
and spring it around the
whole house if she wanted.
She said nope, had
to be the real thing.
You got this?
- Yeah.
- Pretty good with this ladder.
Might have to get you
to prune my peach trees.
- Well, I've been
handling all the yard work
at the house now.
- Yeah, it can't be easy
raising those two
girls by yourself.
- We're doing okay.
- Well Farrah and I, we'd like
to pitch in if you let us.
- Just enjoy being
a fun grandpa.
- Well, I want to be
there for you too.
- Bombs away.
[doorbell rings]
- Hey you.
- Hi.
- Long time no see.
You look great.
- So do you.
I um, I got some pozole.
- Ah, this smells
amazing, thank you.
Mateo brought us pozole.
- Oh, bless you Mateo, saves
me from cooking dinner.
I swear these children insist
eating three meals a day.
- Thanks for having
me over, Farrah.
- Do you want to sit?
- Yeah, don't mind if I do.
- May I offer you a
piece of fruit cake?
- I would love a
piece of fruit cake.
- If you don't like the raisins,
you can just pick them out.
- Gotcha.
- [Peyton] Would you like some
nut mug with your egg nog?
- Don't you mean nutmeg?
- Isn't it nut mug?
'Cause you just
sprinkle it in your mug?
- That does make more
sense, doesn't it?
Yes, yes, I would
love some nut mug.
Thank you.
- Did you make this?
It tastes just like grandma's.
- Why thank you, darling.
I sure did.
- You and Grandee
have the same stars
on the top of your trees.
- That's nice that you
keep the tradition.
- Ah, the Christmas tree just
looks all wrong without it.
- What's the tradition?
- Well, when my mama
and daddy got married,
they didn't have any money to
by store bought decorations
on their first Christmas
and mama, she cut a star
out of a cereal box.
She wrapped in tin foil.
They kept that star for years.
- We've had ours
forever, right mama?
- I made ours when your
daddy and I got married.
- And even when it wore out,
instead of buying a
new fancy tree topper,
mama just made
another tinfoil star
and that's how the
tradition was born.
- I like having a tradition.
Someday, I'm going to
have a tinfoil star.
- Me too.
- Do you have any
family traditions?
- Yup, yup I do
because my mom was Filipino
and my dad's family
was from Mexico,
Mama wanted us to celebrate
both of our family's cultures.
Every Christmas we would
celebrate with fairlitos.
- What's fairlitos?
- Well they're paper bags,
it's a Filipino and
Mexican tradition.
You get to cut these
pretty designs in them
and then put a candle inside
and then place them
all along the walkway
leading up to your house.
For us, it was just a way to
celebrate both of our cultures.
- Can we make fairlitos?
- [Farrah] I think I have
some lunch bags in the pantry.
- Well, get ready to
see the master crafter
and her proteges in action.
[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
- It's beautiful.
- Isn't it?
Sorry to duck out.
I've got to head back to
work, give Dina a break,
but tonight was a lot of fun.
- Yeah, the kids love this.
Looks like we have a
new family tradition.
- I'm glad I got to share it.
I haven't made
fairlitos in years.
I'm always too busy
to even decorate.
- I understand that
kind of craziness.
When you have kids, there's
no taking Christmas off.
- I bet.
- Our first Christmas
after Jake died,
I was still kind of a mess.
- I heard about your
husband, I'm sorry Erin.
- Thank you.
Yeah, it was hard
but I knew I needed to get
it together for those girls
and there's something
about hanging lights
and writing letters
to Santa Claus
that doesn't let
you stay too sad.
- That's true.
- And I've learned to
be pretty independent.
- You like things that way?
- Yeah, mostly but sometimes
I think it would be nice
to share it all with someone.
I shouldn't keep you, I
know you have to go to work.
- Yeah.
Will I see you again though?
- Yeah.
- See you soon.
[subtle country music]
[phone ringing]
- Good morning Tessa,
is everything okay?
- [Tessa] Oh yes, I just
called the brag on myself.
- [Erin] What'd you do?
- I stacked 50 coins today.
- Good job.
- [Tessa] I also
called to check on you.
- What for?
- Well, I was just
thinking about
what you said about your daddy
and I think you should
call him for Christmas.
- Well, believe it or not
I'm staying here at
dad's with the girls.
- Well, how's it going?
- It's good, it's
a little weird.
He's really trying,
but it's hard for me.
- I know.
Sometimes you can be standing
right next to someone
and they still feel a
million miles apart.
If you could just push your
heart open even a tiny crack,
the light will
start creeping in.
- Yeah, I'm pushing, I promise.
- Well if I can stack
50 coins, you can do it.
- Merry Christmas Tessa.
- Merry Christmas sweetheart.
- Hey, what are you doing?
- We're making snowmen pancakes.
- With bacon scarves.
- Cool.
Do you want my help?
- Nope.
Just sit down and
put your feet up.
- Yeah, take a load off.
- Can I have some more?
I only grabbed two.
- Morning darling.
- I wanted to run
something by you, dad.
- What you thinking?
- Well, I've been considering
going back to school
to get my PhD in
occupational therapy.
- What about your job?
- I'd still be working, but
it will let me specialize,
maybe move into management,
or I could even start
teaching at some point,
but it's a lot of
time and so expensive.
- Oh, you need money for school?
- I wouldn't ask you for money
- Farrah and I could pitch in.
- Dad, I have the
money saved for school.
I just wanted to see
what you thought.
- Oh.
- [Peyton] Breakfast is served.
- Come on you two.
These pancakes aren't
going to eat themselves.
[subtle music]
Come on in here.
- Now, you can put
syrup but first
you have to make it snow.
- Dig in everybody.
- Grandee, do you
want some snow?
- I do.
You bet I do.
[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
- You're a little early
for the lunch rush.
- Oh, sorry.
I can come back.
- I'm just kidding, I'm Dina.
- Hi, I'm Erin.
- Well, nice to meet you.
Mateo's in the kitchen.
- I don't want to
get in his way.
- I don't think you have
to worry about that at all.
- Okay.
Oh, thanks for running
things yesterday
so Mateo could come over.
- Are you kidding?
Thank you for having him
think about something
other than tamales
for like an hour or two.
Go save him from himself.
- Okay, nice to meet you.
- You too.
- Dina, can you
pass me a poblano?
- Hi.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Where did you learn
to cook like that?
- My grandma, she
babysat me all the time.
She said that if I was going
to take up space in her kitchen
that I needed to work.
She started me off
stirring the beans
with his big old wooden spoon.
I loved it.
- I'm imagining you in
a tiny little chef hat.
- I never stopped
cooking after that,
Dina and I opened up a taco
truck right after high school.
We hustled and we hustled
and we saved up enough to
open up the storefront.
The rest is history.
- Wow, she's really nice.
- Yeah.
She's great, isn't she?
- Yeah, honestly.
Between the kids and work,
I feel like I spend most of
my time with little girls
and folks who could
be my grandparents.
So it's nice to actually have
a conversation with someone
who might've graduated high
school in the same decade as me.
Oh, your bad shoulder?
- Yeah, it only hits
me once in a while.
But when it does, it's
a, it's a whopper.
- Oh, here.
Lay your hand flat on this.
- Like that?
- Yeah.
- Are you gonna be cleaning?
- Don't be a sassy patient,
now slowly allow your
arm to move forward
bending at the waist.
- Oh, oh, all right.
I feel that.
- Yeah, it's a good stretch
for your rotator cuff,
helps with range of motion.
Do that everyday for a few
minutes and it should help.
- I think you fixed me.
You fixed me.
Thanks.
- Yeah.
You're gonna burn your peppers.
- What?
- Oh sh**t.
[laughter]
- I should probably head out,
but I actually came to ask you
if you would like to come
track reindeer with us today.
- Track reindeer, you're gonna
need to explain that to me.
- It's this thing my dad's
been doing since I was little.
He goes out and
makes reindeer tracks
and throws glitter around
and puts a tape recorder in
the woods of jingle bells,
stuff like that.
Of course we never find any,
but the looking part's fun.
- I have work.
- Yeah, right.
Of course.
- But I can, I can ask Dina
to handle things for me again
and we hire a couple of
helpers this time of year.
- Are you sure
she wouldn't mind?
- Yeah, she'd probably be
happy to get rid of me.
- Okay, well then I guess
I'll see you in a little bit.
- I'll be there.
- Okay, okay.
[upbeat country music]
- Do you think we will see one?
- I hope so, but I don't know.
- I hope they're hungry.
- Reindeer are always hungry.
They need lots of
calories to fly.
- Did you ever
find any reindeer?
- I never saw any, but I
heard their jingle bells.
Oh, I forgot my scarf.
Can you watch for
when Mateo gets here?
- Why do you think reindeer
like reindeer food so much?
- I don't know, maybe
'cause it's sparkly.
- I missed seeing you today.
- I was in and out.
- Erin, listen
about this morning.
- Dad, it's fine.
- No, it's not.
It's not fine.
You were upset.
- I wasn't upset.
I just wanted some advice.
- Oh, okay.
- Well, you went back to school
and you worked full time.
But I was little then,
so I just wanted to
know how you did it.
- Well, you were
with your mom a lot.
- Right, so you don't
think I can do it?
- Well, I think you can do it.
I think you can handle school.
It'll be hard, but you've
always accomplished
everything that you
set your mind to.
- Mateo's here, let's
go catch a reindeer.
- Okay then.
- [Mateo] Stick these
in your pockets.
Reindeer really like carrots.
- Thank you.
- Hi, I see you brought
some reindeer feed.
- Did my research.
- Yeah, oh yeah, yeah.
We best get going.
Farrah's' going to stay here
and keep an eye on the
reindeer scanner for me.
- Reindeer scanner?
- Now the first thing
you've got to know
about tracking reindeer,
is they love the
scent of cookies.
Go on, take one, go on.
Mom?
Rub that in real good,
rub it in your hands.
Get it in there really good.
Oh yeah, reindeer
can't resist that.
- It's tradition.
- Well, I ain't arguing
with tradition, so.
Let's go tracking.
- All right, y'all ready
to track some reindeer?
- Yeah.
- Let's go!
[subtle country music]
You hear that?
- Jingle bells.
- I can hear them too.
- [Carter] I heard something.
They might be in that bush.
- Yeah.
- Sprinkle a little
reindeer feed
and then we can hide
behind the trees
and see if any
reindeer come out.
- Yeah, but do it quietly.
- So will you spend
Christmas with your family?
- No, Mom and dad are both gone.
- I'm sorry.
- It's all right, they
gave me their house
so kind of feels like
they're still around.
And my brother is all
the way out in El Paso,
so usually I spent Christmas
over at Dina's house.
- Oh really?
- Yeah, she's got a huge family
of 10 brothers and sisters.
- Oh wow.
10.
I'm not used to big Christmases.
It's usually just me and
my mom and the girls.
- Do you ever consider
expanding that list?
- [Carter] Mateo!
You have to come hide or
the reindeer won't come.
- Yeah, come over here!
- Be right there.
[subtle country music]
[laughter]
- Oh here, let me help you.
- Thanks.
- Okay, go wash your
hands for dinner.
- Okay.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- I'll have it next time.
- [Carter] You better.
- Sorry we didn't
see any reindeer.
- Maybe next year.
- Is that an
official commitment?
- Now it is, yes.
- Oh, I have something for you.
- What's this?
- I made you something.
It's brownies, it's the only
thing I know how to cook
that doesn't come in a box.
- Wow, well I consider
myself honored.
Oh my God, these smell amazing.
- Don't ruin your dinner,
also please don't try
them in front of me
in case you don't like them
and that way I won't
die of embarrassment.
- Thank you.
You still have
some cookie crumb.
- Oh my gosh.
- All right, I got
it, or I smashed it.
- Thanks.
[phone chimes]
- Let me just.
- Duty calls?
- Yeah, tis the season.
See you soon?
- Yeah.
Keep dancing.
- Ha ha.
[upbeat country music]
[upbeat country music]
- So how was the
day with the girls?
- It was good,
we just picked up some firewood
for the bonfire tonight.
- Yeah, it's going
to be a nice night.
- You should call Mateo
and ask him to come.
- He's taken so much
time off already.
- Oh, come on.
Something tells me he won't
mind taking a little more.
Have you seen the
way he looks at you?
- No.
- I have known
that boy for years
and he's never come
over for fruitcake
and you know how good
my fruit cake is.
- That's a good point.
Maybe I'll just drive up there
and invite him in person.
- Now you're talking.
- Do you mind
watching the girls?
- Not a bit, there's
plenty we can do.
- Thanks.
Wish me luck.
- Good luck.
- And your fruitcake
is really good.
I don't even like fruitcake.
- Hm, I've really
out done myself.
[upbeat country music]
- How can I help you ma'am?
- Yeah, I'm looking
for some burnt peppers,
you got any of those?
- Only for my
special person list.
- We're having a bonfire
tonight, Farrah invited you.
- I wish you were the
one who was inviting me.
- Well then I am
officially asking you
to attend our family
holiday bonfire.
- And I'm officially accepting.
- I also realized I still
haven't tried your tamales.
- Right, we can remedy
that right away.
Meet me at our booth.
- Hey.
- Hey girl, how are you?
- Good, how are you?
- Awesome, thank you.
Oh, I did try your brownies.
It was a challenge to
get even a little piece
out of your Mateo's hand,
but he did let me try them
and they were delicious.
- Thank you.
- Nice to see you.
- You too.
- They were super delicious
and they're also all gone.
- What?
I just gave them
to you last night.
- [Mateo] What can I say?
I have a sweet tooth.
Now, if you don't like
this, we can not be friends.
- Okay.
We can definitely
still be friends.
What is this?
- Chicken [speaking
Spanish] tamale.
It's my specialty,
my mom's chicken and
[speaking Spanish] recipe
and my grandma's tamale.
- It's so good.
- You know, I bet your mom
would be really proud of you
still keeping both
your traditions alive.
- Yeah, well I hope to
pass them on someday.
- Dina doesn't mind
me distracting you
- Dina says that I don't
take enough breaks.
She thinks that I don't leave
myself enough mental space
to be creative and she's
been pretty philosophical
since starting yoga.
- Well, you do work a lot.
- That's what it takes
to build the business.
- Don't you have any hobbies
or places you wanna see?
- Yeah.
Once in a while I
like to go fishing
and whatever we catch,
we put it on the menu.
- There's gotta be
something you like
that isn't work related.
- I like you.
- I like you too.
- I also like two step.
How about you?
- Like every self
respecting Texas girl.
[upbeat country music]
[phone ringing]
- [Mom] You're
lucky you caught me.
Phil and I have been
in the pool all day.
- Any news?
- Well, he proposed last night
on the beach under the
stars, it was like a movie.
- Oh mom, I'm so happy for you.
- So I guess we will be
planning a spring wedding.
Will you be my maid of honor?
- Oh mom, of course I will.
- I am so excited.
Well we've been talking
about me this whole time.
What about you?
- Well, don't get too excited
but I think I may
have met someone.
- A man?
- No, a unicorn.
Yes, a man.
He owns a restaurant in
town and he's really nice.
He's come over a few times
and he's great with the girls.
- Aw, good for you honey.
Now I want details.
- Well, that's all the
details I have for now.
- Fine.
So how are things
going with your dad?
- Okay.
- Well that doesn't
sound very convincing.
- Can I ask you a question, mom?
- Yeah, anything.
- Do you ever still
get mad at dad?
- Honey, I haven't spoken
with your dad in years.
- Well, I don't mean like a
fight, I mean about the past.
- Well, if I were to let
myself think about it
I might feel hurt but
being mad about the past
is such a waste
of precious time.
Now, if you're feeling guilty
about spending Christmas
with your dad, don't.
- It's not that.
- Oh honey, Phil
is waving for me.
I gotta go.
- [Erin] I love you mom.
- Oh, I love you sweetheart.
Merry Christmas.
[subtle music]
[subtle music]
- Your daddy calls
this his love tree.
- I didn't know he did this.
- Oh yeah.
He says he carves the names
of all the people he
loves on this tree
because even if he
can't be with them
to watch them grow
up or grow old,
he can watch this tree
grow big and strong
and know that
everything will be okay.
- So sweet.
- He couldn't love you
or those girls more,
or be more proud of you.
Well, I better get
back up to the house.
I promised the girls
we'd bedazzle some
- Okay.
- Smells like it's
going to snow.
- We never get snow here.
What does snow smell like?
- I can't describe it, but
this nose is never wrong.
[subtle music]
- I'm up.
- I didn't mean to wake you.
- I can't sleep anyway.
Thinking about Erin.
- Just give her some time.
- I just, I feel like everything
I say is the wrong thing.
She barely even looks at me.
- Well, unfortunately there's
not an expiration date
on a broken heart.
You're just going to have to
be patient until Erin's ready.
- I just, it just feels like
I'm hanging myself out
there like a punching bag.
- Then let her punch it out.
Erin's babies adore you
and you have to do
everything you can
to stay in their
and Erin's life.
- What would I do without you?
- Starve and never
match your socks.
[subtle country music]
- Oh, can I have another one?
- You already had five.
- Two were s'mores and
two were for my stomach.
- Aren't they all
for your stomach?
- My stomach likes
to mix things up.
- Fair enough.
- Hand one of those
to your fella.
- Dad, seriously?
Here you go.
- Thanks.
- I'm telling you, sea
salt, dark chocolate,
perfect s'mores.
- Well far be it for me
to argue with the chef.
- You know Erin,
this is the best Christmas
that I've had in a long time.
- Me too.
[subtle guitar music]
♪ Silent night
♪ Holy night ♪
♪ All is calm
♪ All is bright ♪
♪ Round young virgin
mother and child ♪
♪ Holy infant
- Thanks for inviting
me over tonight,
I had a lot of fun.
Kinda, kinda felt like I
was a part of the family.
- Good.
- So uh, am I gonna
see you tomorrow
at the Christmas Eve service?
- Good.
- Mom, how many
lizards are leaping?
- Um, 10.
- I told you it was 10, Carter.
- I'd better go referee.
I have a feeling this could
turn to a controversy.
- Goodnight, see you tomorrow.
- Tomorrow.
[subtle music]
[knocking]
Girls, you can't come in,
I'm doing secret stuff.
- It's me.
- Okay, come in quick.
Do you like a challenge?
- Erin, I've been wanting to
talk to you about something.
I'm sorry I wasn't around much,
but I thought I was
doing the right thing
for you and your mom by
being a good provider.
I know the damage is done and
well, maybe it's too late.
- It's just hard for me,
especially to watch
you with the girls
because when I was their age,
you were always working and
then when you and mom split up,
I saw you even less.
- Yeah, I missed a lot
when you were little.
- But it's not just
when I was little, dad.
You missed my high
school graduation.
- Well, I had to go
to that conference
and I told you that,
you said you understood.
- I just said that because I
didn't know how to talk to you.
It felt like you
were a stranger.
- A stranger?
Erin, all I want is a
chance to start again.
- I know, but I've
got a cut so deep,
I don't think it's
ever going to heal.
- Do you want to heal, Erin?
- What?
- Do you want to heal it?
- I can't do this.
I thought I could handle
spending Christmas here but,
I can't.
- [Gary] Erin,
Erin,
Erin doll.
- This should be
colored, maybe pink.
- There's a little
change of plans, girls.
- What?
- Well, mommy needs to go home
so we're going to have
to leave Grandee's house.
- But it's Christmas
Eve, we can't go.
- And Farrah got
us special outfits
for the service tonight and
she said the pastor said
we could carry the baby
Jesus to the manger.
- [Carter] And I told
Santa we would be here
and he won't know where
to take our presents.
- Erin.
- Okay, we can stay.
But we need to leave first
thing tomorrow morning, okay?
- Okay, thank you.
- Farrah, do you mind
watching the girls?
I'm just going to
go for a drive.
- Of course.
- Thanks.
- Erin.
Erin, don't.
- Gary, just give
her some space.
- Your mom is just
going to go out
and do some last minute
Christmas shopping
while we get these
cinnamon rolls all ready.
[subtle country music]
- Go ahead.
- Everything okay?
Let's um, let's head
over to the booth.
- I'm so sorry, I know
you're really busy.
I just wanted to
let you know that
we're leaving tomorrow morning
right after the girls wake up.
- I thought you were
staying through Christmas.
You all right?
- It's my dad, he and I
don't communicate very well.
I came out here this Christmas
to see if I could fix that.
- And it can't be fixed?
- When I was little, my
dad worked all the time,
like all the time and I
see him now with my girls
and instead of appreciating
the granddad he's become,
it's like, I, like I'm jealous
that he wasn't that
kind of dad for me.
- Look, I'm not trying
to defend your dad,
but I can at least tell
you what it's like.
I've sacrificed a lot in
my life for this restaurant
and that's the reason why I
don't have a wife or a family.
- Oh, yeah I understand.
Yeah.
- Here.
- No, I'm really glad
that you told me now
rather than later.
- Wait, wait, hold on a second.
- Look, I don't want to be a
distraction from your work.
- That's not what
I meant at all.
- But it's what you said.
- Hey Erin, hey wait up.
- I got to go Dina, but it
was so nice meeting you.
- Look, sometimes that
strong silent type thing
that Mateo does comes
across like he doesn't care,
but he does.
- He's still inside, isn't he?
I mean, I'm leaving.
- Give him a chance.
- If there's one
thing that I learned
when I lost my husband,
it's how it's foolish to
waste a second of your time.
[subtle country music]
♪ Star of wonder
♪ Star of night ♪
♪ Star of warm,
beauty and bright ♪
- Where's mom?
- Is she going to miss us
putting the baby
Jesus in the nativity?
- Don't you worry about
your mama, she'll be here.
♪ Your perfect light ♪
♪ Your perfect light ♪
- What are you doing?
- Packing tamale orders.
- Go get Erin.
- She's upset with me.
- And so what?
- It's Christmas Eve.
We have a ton of tamale
orders to get out
and we're running low on
chicken [speaking Spanish]
- I can make the tamales.
- No, no, I can't
put that on you.
- You aren't putting it on me.
This is how it works.
We help each other so that we
don't make stupid mistakes.
And just a hint, if you don't
leave here to go get her
that might be the stupidest
mistake of your life.
So, go get her.
- You're right, you're right.
You're the best.
- You think I don't know that?
Now get out of here
before I change my mind.
♪ Star of wonder ♪
♪ Star of night ♪
♪ Star of warm,
beauty and bright ♪
♪ Westward leading
♪ Stare receding
♪ Guide us to your
perfect light ♪
♪ Your perfect light
[phone ringing]
- Hello?
- Mrs. Tessa?
- Is this Erin?
Merry Christmas.
- I'm so sorry to bother
you on Christmas Eve.
- Oh, you're no bother at all.
I'm just waiting for my son
to come pick me up for church.
- [Erin] Oh, that
sounds like fun.
- Alright, go ahead
and spit it out, honey.
I can hear your gears turning.
- How do you forgive someone
when you can't stop
being angry with them?
- Well, forgiveness,
forgiveness isn't amnesia.
It's like giving someone
the benefit of the doubt.
They can be better next time.
- I think I'm the one that
needs to be better next time.
- [Tessa] Oh sweetheart,
if you've gotten that far,
you've already won
half the battle.
[horn honking]
Oh my Jason's here, honey.
I hate to cut you off, but.
- No, no, go and have
a wonderful night
and thank you, Mrs. Tessa.
- You're welcome sweetheart.
Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
[subtle country music]
♪ Oh come let us adore
him Christ the Lord ♪
- You may be seated.
Please bow your heads
and join me in prayer.
- She's still not here.
- [Pastor] Lord, we thank you
for the blessing of Christmas
that you sent your son to
Earth, a tiny vulnerable baby,
and yet the King of Kings.
- Erin, I've been looking
everywhere for you.
- I'm fine.
I should really
get to the girls.
- I just need a minute.
What I said about not
having a wife and a family,
that's a choice that
I made in the past,
but now I want all that
and I want it with you.
- I just, I need you to be sure.
- I'm absolutely certain.
[subtle music]
- [Pastor] Through
that tiny baby,
we all may be
forgiven of our sins.
Thank you Lord for the
gift of forgiveness,
help us to remember that gift,
this and every other night.
Amen.
Now, if the children
would come forward
to line up and get the candles
and adults, please
line up behind them
for the Christmas vigil.
Thank you.
- We get to carry
the baby Jesus.
♪ Away in the manger
♪ No crib for a bed ♪
♪ The little Lord Jesus ♪
♪ Lay down his sweet head
♪ The stars in the sky ♪
- Dad, can I talk to you?
- Yeah.
♪ The little Lord Jesus
asleep on the hay ♪
- I want you in
the girls' lives.
I want you in my life.
- I guess it means
you're gonna stay?
- We're staying.
I love you daddy, I'm sorry.
- I love you too and I'm sorry.
♪ The little Lord Jesus asleep
- [Pastor] And that concludes
our Christmas Eve service.
May God bless you everyone.
- Oh, it's so cold.
- I know
[upbeat Christmas music]
- It's snowing!
[upbeat Christmas music]
- Yay!
- Oh, I think that
might be for you.
[upbeat country music]
- Happy Holidays.
- Merry Christmas.
- Got you some
Christmas tamales.
- Please tell me they're
chicken [speaking Spanish]
- Yeah, they're chicken
[speaking Spanish]
- Farrah's ham's not going to
be ready for a couple hours,
I'm gonna start losing
my winter patty.
- Well, I have
something for you.
- Oh, you didn't have
to get me anything.
- It's something I made.
It's the start of
a new tradition.
[subtle country music]
Let's go.
[upbeat country music]
♪ It's getting cold again
♪ I'm hoping that this year
we'll get a little snow ♪
♪ Hm, hm ♪
♪ Taking out the decorations
♪ Hung up all the
lights and mistletoe ♪
♪ Hm, hm ♪
♪ The counter's
full of cookies ♪
♪ And the living room
has got a big ole tree ♪
♪ Hm, hm
♪ I'm trying to keep
up our traditions ♪
♪ I'm trying to live
up to our memories ♪
♪ Hm, hm ♪
♪ But I know come starry night ♪
♪ Sitting by that fire light ♪
♪ That there's no Christmas ♪
♪ Without you
[subtle country music]
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Lonestar Christmas (2020)
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