Doozy Days of December

Poor Santa, scaring the children all day long

Wow, are the holidays already over? How did they go so fast when they started so early? We had unseasonably warm weather here in Hermosa - we're talking beach days, lots and lots of beach days (it's 85 degrees now as I write). I guess that made up for what Nana, Papa, Grandpa and Kookie had to endure in Colorado this winter!

My toddler super-hero powers could destroy this tree in less than two minutes!

For John's birthday, we took Tyler to Las Vegas where we met up with Grandma and Cousin Katie. Tyler loved looking at all the lights and craziness, especially with it all decked out in holiday style. It's funny how the simple stuff can keep him entertained for so long, like running under the ropes at the reception counter or pulling the fake presents out from the tree at the Paris Hotel. Did you know that toddlers aren't allowed to gamble? Put them at a table or a slot machine and wham! within 2 seconds someone is there to wave their finger in the air at you. Tyler certainly got to partake of some of the sinful habits of Las Vegas, like eating french fries with practically every meal and even tasting his first doughnut (so sinful, so good). He loved playing with Cousin Katie because she's so silly. We almost made it through the trip without a problem until we were packing and T tripped over his own two feet and landed with his face right on the sharp edges of the coffee table. Needless to say, he became a little black-eyed raccoon for the rest of December and even today still has a little scar. John and I still haven't healed and are ordering him the helmet and padded suit that he will be wearing every day for the rest of his life.

Cousin Katie smiling because she wasn't on duty when the big trip happened
John, Tyler and Grandma outside the wild animals habitat at the Flamingo hotel (FYI, don't plan a safari to this wild animal reserve, you'll only see ducks and flamingos)


Yes Tyler, everything in Las Vegas is artificial. Everything.

Once we were back home, Tyler really got on a work kick. He loves to walk around the outside of the house with his bucket and broom with mom cracking the whip the entire time. He likes climbing foot ladders and all of our neighbor's steps. He's really starting to look like a little boy, which just totally floors me since it was just yesterday that he practically fit into my hand. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in 2007!

Come on, mom, let's go sweep up some rocks and sticks!

Tyler contemplates the slide and the monkey bars at Valley Park.
Dude, have your people call my people an we'll do snacks over a few sippy cups.