Aloha, Hawaii!

We recently went to Hawaii and had just the best time. Luke loved paradise as well. He got to play in the black sand beaches and run around like a maniac all over the place! They had this wristband he could wear that was an alarm so if he got it wet (i.e. fell in the pool), the alarm in the house would sound. It was pretty neat and something anyone with a toddler and a pool should invest in! We had wonderful meals cooked for us and sightseeing galore! Luke didn't go on the helicopter tour of Kauai or the ziplining, but he participated in everything he could!

Throwing lava rocks on the black sand beach in Kona

Riding in the airplane...this is his new "Whoa!" face.

Hitching a ride

Saying "bye-bye" to the lobster before we eat him...and, "Please don't get that thing near me."

Lounging

Where Oh Where Did My Big Boy Go?

Luke and I were in the back bedroom folding laundry, which is where his swing also happens to be stored. He usually just ignores it or pushes it...but he decided to climb right up into it the other day and go for a swing! He finally took my pleading to stop growing up so fast and stay my little baby boy...although his feet hang off the end and it creaks straining with the weight. But, he was so cute doing it!

Climbing in like the monkey he is.

Oh, Little Gym has taught him so many things!

"Swing me, Mom!"

Look at those big feet!

Using a spoon!

Luke is getting better every day at using his utensils. We practice and get messy and he loves it. He's eating his applesauce here and using his spoon very well!

Jabber Jabber Jabber

This started a while ago, but we finally got it on video. Luke has his own little language with gestures and "Don't you understand me?" looks. It's the most hilarious thing to listen to and to think that he knows exactly what he's saying!

Picture with Santa

We took Luke to see Santa on Sunday. When we got there Santa was on a break and wouldn't be back for an hour so we walked around and when we got back it was time to stand in line and then he had a minor meltdown because he was tired of sitting in the stroller and just wanted to get out and run around. We finally made it to Santa and Luke's face said it all....slightly terrified. We got a decent picture, but what he really wanted to do was cry (which he didn't), so he gave us deer in the headlights instead.

Since we were in the picture taking mode with Luke, we decided to go ahead and take the family Christmas photo. Again...deer in the headlights for Luke. He must freeze up for the camera. But, what a cute little deer he is!!

Half of a Tree

We got the Christmas tree decorated but it's only halfway done....ha! This is our solution to keeping a one year old from tearing down all the decorations while still being able to enjoy a tree! Luke tries to reach up and grab the ornaments but he can't quite get to them, so he just leans against the tree. He thinks it's fun that it can hold him up (hopefully this is the case and we won't have a toppling Christmas tree with a toddler inside). So, the ornaments are still in place, but the limbs are always a little flat!

This is the first year that we've ever put up Christmas lights on our house. We take Luke out every night to look at them and he seems to like them. I think they look great and I'm excited we actually have lights up!

Putting up the Christmas Tree

We got the Christmas tree up and Luke had fun helping us put it up. He helped Daddy on the ladder and then helped decorate with pillows and building blocks and other micellaneous toys he thought should go on there. They didn't make the final cut, but at least he tried!

He had to be right on Justin's heels at every move.

What tree couldn't use a pillow on it? He's just using his innovative interior design skills.