Levi's 1st Christmas

Christmas was a blast this year! We got to spend two whole weeks up North with our families so we had plenty of quality time. We started in Atwater with the Lockridges and our cranky Levi who was just getting over a little head cold. He wasn't sleeping very well but he was still his cute-as-ever self during the day for Grandma and Grandpa. We took lots of walks, ate lots of cookies and even opened a few presents early!

Christmas (Eve) Morning at the Lockridges

Dave helping Levi open his presents

Of course, Levi was more interested in the paper

 We even got a date night because Grandma and Grandpa Lockridge watched Levi one night! Dave and I drove into Fresno to see Charlie and Christina and so Dave and Charlie could put their new hockey gear to good use at the open stick night. Before the boys got their hockey on, Dave and I had a nice dinner at Tahoe Joe's and neither of us had to get up at walk around the restaurant or bounce our legs continuously. It was so nice! Then we met up with the newlyweds at the ice skating rink and the boys got to show off their hockey skills. They looked super cute in all the gear and Christina and I got to watch from inside the warm waiting room.

The Lockridge brothers getting ready to take the ice

 On Christmas morning we woke up and drove to Modesto to my Grandma's house. We always do a big breakfast with all of my cousins but the breakfasts have just gotten bigger with spouses and three kids running (or in Levi's case sitting/rolling) around. Then we headed to my parents house for Christmas with the Hardens and our big Christmas dinner.

Christmas morning at Great- Grandma's house

Checking out cousin Jack's toys

We also went to Del Osso Family Farms to go on their new sledding attraction. It was a really neat place with a ropes course, train ride, zip line, and snow sledding. We probably could have spent more time there but with 22 people in your group it can make things a little more complicated. So we sledded for a couple of hours and then went to dinner and the nearby Bass Pro Shop.

Getting ready to go sledding at Del Osso Farms

My look alike boys

He's ready for the cold weather!

Dave and I were also able to go up to the mountains for a couple of days with Joey & Julie and the kids. Dave and Joey got to ski and Julie and I stayed back in the warm cabin and played with the kiddos. Bryan and Alison were able to come up too so we had a couple of extra pairs of hands. It snowed all day long so we were able to sneak outside and play in it for a while. Then the boys came back from skiing and took us out sledding down the middle of the street. Levi still really enjoys being outside and didn't seem to mind the cold at all.

Levi's 1st trip to the snow

Bryan and Alison

Auntie Julie, Jack & Ashley

Sledding down the street in front of the cabin

Then we got in another date night as Grammy and Grandpa Harden took over baby duty on New Years Eve! Dave and I got to be young and fun and ring in the New Year with Crista and Mike. We met some awesome people that night, played a couple of games (Dave won one!) and then I kicked some butt playing the new Michael Jackson game on the Wii. :) We had so much fun!

New Years Eve with my best friend Crista. We've been besties for almost 19 years now!

Dave, Me, Crista & Mike
New Years Eve 

Then Crista and Mike came over the next day so we could both see the little boys together. They played and entertained us all and just as I thought to take a picture- my camera died. Boo!

The only picture I have of Jackson and Levi together before my camera died. I need to work on this next time!

Then as we headed home on Saturday we realized that the Grapevine had been shut down due to snow! So we stopped off in Bakersfield with our good friends Jon & Jen and they let us crash at their house overnight. We got to introduce them to Levi, had a great dinner, played some games and then got up waited for the Grapevine to reopen. We got a phone call from our good friend who is a CHP and he called and said, "It's open! GO! GO! Go!" So we hopped in the car, dismissed all the signs that said it was still closed, and we were one of the first cars back over Monday morning.

Snow on the Grapevine

It was a great trip home and it ended with Levi sleeping 10+ hours at night for the next five nights! We must have worn him out! We're hoping this new trend continues. Thanks to everyone for making Levi's 1st Christmas so special for us and especially to the Grandmas and Grandpas for some much needed date nights! We love you all!