Beauty of Being Human: Christmas in California

We were blessed to get to go to California for Christmas again this year. Due to a mix up with the company we got Luke's crib from, we ended up with an extra crib, which we were able to sell and fund our trip to both Atascadero and Napa to see both families.

We drove through the night so that Spud would sleep most of the way, which, thankfully, he did, and arrived in the beautiful central coast Saturday morning before Christmas. Literally, a breath of fresh air as we left behind smoggy, snowy Salt Lake. All but one sibling were home for Christmas so Luke got spoiled rotten by uncles, cousins, grandparents, neighbors and aunt Katie. Well, at least until he got fussy, then it was no fun to hold him anymore. His cousin, Hayley, was great with him! She and Luke would sing and rock and play endlessly. He loved every minute!

Drivin' the car

Mmmm, prunes

Dancing with grandma

Where's Frosty?

Snoozing with aunt Katie

Watching Gunner play fetch

The cousins

Some of the central coast activities included: sushi, Morro Bay, fish 'n chips, the melodrama, Christmas, lots of eating, manicures, playing with the goats and dogs (Luke LOVES animals!), Avila and just enjoying the family.

Petting the goats

At nana's with Obi, LOVING it

Morro Bay

Thursday afternoon, we headed up to Napa where more spoiling commenced. The first night we just hung out with nana and auntie Lexi and uncle Adam (cough, cough). The next day, we got to meet up with our good friends, the Thiels, then went over to papa's for a little post Christmas with him and great aunt Terri. Spud had a grand ol' time there with the See 'n Say he got from papa. He is quite the dancer!

This was followed by a high pitched, joyous squeal

Luke gets his dance moves from his mom

Terri's attempt at a selfie with Spud

Picture says it all

Hanging with papa

This was my favorite picture of the night

Saturday was spent with a little Buckhorn, pedicures, orange picking, turkey and goodbyes as we left that night to make the drive back to Utah.

The Thiels

Modeling his new hat

The look Dallin got the last hour of our trip up to Napa

As you may have noticed in all the pictures, Luke looks a little like he belongs in a Leper colony. Thank goodness that is not the case, but rather his poor "leprosy" is due to a reaction to amoxicillin. Takes after his daddy in that department! Poor kid.

We are glad that we went to California, a little sad that the week went by so quickly. We sure do miss our families and the sunny, clean air! But, alas, not everyone can be aunt Terri and go to Cabo after a week in California. Maybe someday...