Christmas 2011 in Napa!

We had a GREAT Christmas! 

This year cousins Phoebe and Daniel, and Uncle Chris, visited from Southern California. This is the first Christmas we have spent together in Napa. 

Our youngest, Ava, is 11 now, so opening presents with a 5 year old boy on Christmas morning was a blast!  Danny loves anything to do with trains or trucks. And like any other 5 year old, he LOVES opening presents. 

 Annabelle and Dad in Vacaville at the Huffmans on Christmas Eve . I love his pink shirt!

Ava wears her "Christmas" outfit -- found at Macys for only $20!

 Aunt Shelli with a photo of Opa Ralph in Japan in the 50s. He was in the military during the Korean war....

 Allie LOVES to have her picture taken. Not.

 The girls at our house, Christmas morning...

 Danny gets ready for PRESENTS at Grandma Sue's house later that morning...

 A TRUCK! Thanks Uncle Jimmy!

 Uncle Chris and Don...

 Allie loves shoes so Grandma Sue gave her this book about the history of shoes...

Phoebe gets "Cat in a Can" from Uncle Chris, via Archie McPhee. Love that website!

Napa on Ice!

I love, love, LOVE that Napa has a seasonal ice rink in downtown!

This week we went to the rink for a spin....

 

 Cousin Phoebe and Ava hit the ice...

 Allie gets her "ice" legs...

 Cousin Danny watches...

 Then decides to try it out...

 His sister helps him out...

My niece Phoebe, my brother Chris, and Grandma Sue.

 The girl cousins...

A tour of a Napa landmark...

Grandma Sue and I got invited to an open house at this amazing home in Napa. 

Originally built in 1850, it is located next to the library and is known as the Captain Andrew Sampson house.

There are two giant sequoia trees in the front yard estimated at 150 years old. According to one website, when the house was being renovated, 70 bottles of wine were found in the basement wrapped in Prohibition-dated newspaper.

Today it is a private home but also serves as an office for a local financial planner. 

Grandma Sue outside the home...I love how every window has a wreath and light!

 The perfect place for a train!

 The office (inside a former dining room). The screensaver on these two monitors is another exterior shot of the home.

 Modern kitchen!

Etch a Sketch by Annabelle

I love this Etch a Sketch piece by Annabelle!

I told her I wanted to take it to work to put on display but then she hid it from me in her room somewhere. Sheesh!

 

 

Feliz Navidad

Aunt Shelli turned her collection of "Mexicana" into this super cute display at Grandma Tootie's house. 

Many of the items are from the Vasquez family, including the sombreros and antique dolls....

My favorites are the Day of the Dead ornament, guitar ornaments and hammered tin heart.