Monday - Back to Sacramento with Drew and Erin

​Drew and Erin have such a fun neighborhood during Christmas because there are lots of lights. Hoops are a big decoration. Love walking around and oooing and aaahhing!  

While Erin worked at home, Drew and I drove to UC Davis. I walked their Arboretum while Drew had an appointment. 

There wasn’t much blooming but some trees had some colorful leaves. 

Lunch was at Burma. Delicious mango chicken and tea leaf salad. 

On the way back to their house, we stopped at the Garden for a beer and a salad so Drew could do a little more work. 

For dinner we went to another favorite restaurant, Journey to the Dumpling. We ordered several different dishes so we could all sample each one. 

Another fun and memorable day. 

Sunday - Hanging Around, Erin and Drew Come up

​Arlo and I read some of his favorite books and played with some toys before Mommy and Daddy woke up. This is one of my favorite times  

Drew and Erin are driving up this morning so Shan and Erin can go to an exercise class. 

Arlo and I are watching Penn State and Lehigh wrestle. The weather is sooo nice, we are able to watch the match outside. 

Nathan wrestled a great match against Mirasola from Penn State. He won 7-2!!  So happy he’s back and able to wrestle after his injury at the 2024 Journeyman tournament.

In the afternoon, we went to Nevada City’s Victorian Christmas. 

Lots of vendors and things to see. 

Dinner at BrewBilt Brewery. Thankful we could all be together (except for Carl who had to work). 

One day left in California. It’s been a wonderful whirlwind of memories to cherish. 

Saturday - Arlo's First time at a Movie Theater

​Another busy day. First we went to Grass Valley to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the historic Del Oro Theater. This was Arlo's first movie in a theater. It was Maeve and Ellie's birthday party. Arlo enjoyed the popcorn and the movie. He sat through the whole movie and laughed a lot. 

Arlo gave Maeve and Ellie his present … dress up dresses. They loved them. Here's Matt's attempt at corralling all the kids for a picture. That's as good as it gets. 

On the way home we stopped at a kid's craft fair. Arlo got all the supplies to make a gnome home. 

Friday - Cornish Christmas

​A little more tree decorating. 

A walk around the neighborhood before nap time. 

Then it was time for Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley. 

A sit on Santa's lap to tell him Arlo's wish list. 

Arlo and I had a date after Cornish Christmas to watch a movie. Mommy and Daddy attended a Christmas program so I had Arlo to myself. 

Thursday - More Decorating and Special Surprise for Me

​Some new decorations 

I didn’t have to walk far to see deer. They were in the yard munching away. 

Arlo got a new light up necklace that Jax has to wear. 

It was time for my surprise. Shan and Erin took me to a Sip and Paint at Moonraker in Auburn. On our way down the hill was a colorful sunset. 

So much fun painting a gnome.

The best part was it actually looked really good. 

Thanks Shan and Erin for a fun, memorable night. 

Wednesday - Decorate the house, Tinsel Town for drinks and food, Foundry for Caroling

​Sunrise again to start our day.

Arlo has been watching his “dinosaur” hatch. 

Next was decorating the tree. Fun helping Shan decorate their new house. The tree is perfect. 

Shan and Donna treated me to a night out at Tinsel Town for drinks and food at the Holbrook Hotel. Then to the Miners Foundry for Christmas sing along. 

Donna really gets into the singing.