Alpin's first Christmas was quite a treat. All month long we found fun things to do with Alpin, starting with cutting down our Christmas Tree at Garlock Tree Farm in Occidental. Andy has been going there all his life. Then we happened upon the Christmas Village at Tilden and it was awesome. There was a whole lights display, and a 'reindeer' and about 25 decorated trees all inside the carousel building. Of course the big man himself was there but Alpin wasn't interested. Next year we'll try to get to the Train of Lights and Union Square. It was fun making new traditions while maintaining long family traditions.
We had friends over as usual to eat Christmas cookies with us, so our house was a cookie factory for about two weeks. We absolutely love Christmas cookies, too bad Alpin can't have any yet. We also went to the REI holiday party with him which was fun.
Christmas Eve was spent with Grandma Leta in Berkeley, she made us her famous jambalaya for dinner and it was so yummy. We walked around her neighborhood in North Berkeley were lighted candles are set up for blocks and blocks on the sidewalk. It is beautiful and all the neighbors were out walking and handing out homemade cookies. Many even had candlelight dinner outside all together in a long long line of tables. We also watched my favorite Christmas movie, Christmas Vacation. Davey and CC weren't with us, they were soaking in the sun on their honeymoon in Belize.
After coming home on Christmas Eve we decided it was time to pull the push car out of the giant box it was shipped in, to put under the tree. Unfortunately a smaller box was inside the giant box, of an unassembled push car. Yes, we are officially parents who have the badge of staying up putting together a toy on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning Leta came to our house and we opened presents together. Alpin immediately went for the push car under the tree and loves it. We also gave him a box full of balls of all sizes, which he loved. He is a very spoiled baby that's for sure. He received bath toys and clothes and toys and books. Lucky baby. He pooped out pretty soon after opening gifts, but it was a fun morning with Grandma.
Then we packed up and drove to Chico to have Christmas dinner with the Reids. Everyone came over to the house for Christmas dinner, 18 strong. Alpin was winning hearts as usual, and it was so fun to see everyone. Especially great grandma and grandpa.
The next morning we did another Christmas morning with grandma Becky and grandpa Dennis and auntie Leann. Alpin was even more spoiled. He loves his new set of musical intruments and we were amazed to see he knew exactly what to do with the xylophone. That kid sure does love music.
We were up in Chico for several days, so we caught up on much needed rest, saw family and went out to see a movie. On Saturday the DeVaults came from Sacramento for dinner and another Christmas celebration. Alpin was spoiled again with nice toys. We are so lucky to have been able to see so much family over our vacation, including all the grandparents and great grandparents.
Now the celebrations are over, but we sure did have a fun month with him. We definitely cannot wait for next year! Christmas is one of our favorite holidays (Andy's favorite to be sure) so it was such a joy to celebrate with Alpin.
Here's a compilation of a few Christmas videos of Alpin:
Highlight photos from December (can click the photo to scroll through):
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| Christmas Tree |
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| cutting the tree |
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| Santa |
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| dinner at Negri's as per tradition |
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| Amber, Carson and Hunter |
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| Carson & Alpin |
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| Tilden Christmas Village |
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| Tilden Tree |
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| Tilden Carousel |
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| Christmas Eve with Grandma Leta |
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| Christmas Eve Luminaria |
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| Assembling the santa gift - a push car |
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| gifts |
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| Christmas morning |
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| the box is just as fun as the push car! |
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| 1st stocking |
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| opening gifts |
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| bows and bows and baby |
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| score! |
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| Grandma and Papa |
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| fireplace |
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| Alpin and Jacob |
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| Aunt Teresa shares her phone, lucky santa baby |
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| Arris serenades baby boy |
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| Christmas Dinner |
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| 18 strong |
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| Alpin meets Arris |
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| Aunt Eunice and Uncle B |
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| playing with Grandpa |
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| Grandma & Grandpa |
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| the lineup |
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| baby bow |
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| opening gifts with Grandpa Dennis |
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| loving his new xylophone! |
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| meeting Santa on his terms |
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| puzzle from Aunt Ann |
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| knocked out |
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| passed out with Taz |
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| playing at Caper Acres |
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| fancy meeting a pretty lady like you in a place like this... |
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| swings with cousin Talia |
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| Darling Talia |
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| sweet Talia |
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| just like their parents played long ago |
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| Bidwell Park One Mile |
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| cuddling Grandpa |
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| playing the puppy piano |
