Local Explorers.

With all the holiday fun behind us, Matt and I decided we needed to be more adventurous on our free weekends, exposing Luke to all the amazing resources we have so close to our own home. On January 10th (Sunday) we took a impromptu trip up to Cambria/San Simeon to check out the elephant seals and the beach. We had no idea that this was prime elephant seal watching time so it made the 45 minute drive well worth it.

Luke and Daddy checking out the massive mammals. Quite the sight.

Lots of mommies & babies.

We were surprised- we usually hear "all done ___" (whatever we're doing) but Luke was totally game.

Mommy pretending to know a thing or two about elephant seals (or possibly repeating info she heard from the docent moments earlier but willing to pass it off as her own).

It was loud and we were a-okay with being above the action. Those seals are huge and FAST.

Hard to really tell but the surf was huge that day as well.

Moonstone Beach tide pools. Matt's left foot was almost completely underwater about 5 seconds after this picture was taken.

Enjoying the sights.

Some good looking guys.

New Year's Eve '09

Last year, we spent New Year's Eve up at Stanford Hospital with Luke recovering from his shunt revision surgery. Blissfully, this year we spent it with a nice dinner out with Grandma Carole and Grandpa John, dessert at home and then a full evening of playing Beatles Rock Band- upgrade!!

Luke managed to hang with us until around 10pm and then it was all Beatles until right before midnight (we started playing WITH Luke at like 8pm- can you say addicting?!) Grandpa John played band photographer/manager (Luke) wrangler while we attempted to be hardcore rockers. Video of this event should have been taken because we probably could win major bucks on America's Funniest Home Videos. We were that "good"!

The Tremendous 3 making the Fab 4 proud. (Notice Luke on the floor with the Wii controller- we convinced him that holding it was "helping" us.)

Daddy was kind enough to let the kid play.

Hardcore.

Trying to make it to midnight but fading fast. I'm sure Luke is explaining the meaning of "I Am the Walrus" to Grandpa John here.

Grandma Carole & Luke celebrating 2010 on Luke-time.

Christmas Closure.

We got home from our Christmas travels on the 27th (Sunday) so Luke and I took full advantage of having a good, old fashioned lazy Monday the next day. Papa and Grandma Chrissy got Luke this driving simulator and he just adores it. He "needed" me to take pictures of him in it.

Notice that it is dark outside. That's not because it's bedtime but that it's 6pm and we never got out of our pajamas that day. Christmas is fun but EXHAUSTING. Dejected Lola with evil eyes is just an added extra bonus.

We laid low all week, not venturing out much. Luke got a big boy table from Uncle Chris and Aunt (to-be) Gina. I can't get over how grown up he looks when he sits there.

He's just a bit too short (he's got a box at his feet) but still such a big boy!

Luke with a mouth full of food instructing (demanding!) that I take a picture of "his doggies."

His Doggies- Lola & Rocco.

San Jose Christmas '09 (Part 2)

Since Christmas was on a Friday this year, Panda & Grandma Steph were kind enough to do Christmas at their house on the 26th to allow for us to have a less stressful Christmas day (driving for 2+ hours with a toddler can be a bit hectic). Luke LOVED having Christmas for 3 straight days and it was so nice to be able to take our time and enjoy ourselves and the rest of the family.

Now presenting- the whopping 2 pictures I took on that day.

Panda decided that Luke needed Giants gear. Luke looks THRILLED.

Luke and Uncle Nick.

San Jose Christmas '09 (Part 1)

We drove from Fresno to San Jose on Christmas morning and did gifts at Grandma Carole & Grandpa John's late that afternoon once we all assembled. Again, didn't take all that many pictures but we had a very nice time and enjoyed our traditional Chinese food fest immediately following the giving/opening festivities.

Ready to rock & roll, Santa-style.

Luke (with crazy, tired Christmas eyes) and Aunt Sarah.

Luke adores his kid-friendly digital camera. Uncle Brad adores trying to orally maneuver an orange slice into a beer bottle. Classy.

"Say 'CHEESE' Mommy!"

We Keep Santa Extra Busy.

Since we're Christmas time travelers, Santa was notified in advance that Luke would be one of three places. And because Santa is a very kind, generous man,he made sure to leave gifts for Luke in all three places- Papa & Grandma Chrissy's, Grandma Carole & Grandpa John's and our own home (we did Christmas at Panda & Grandma Steph's on the 26th).

Luke was very excited (or maybe that was more Mommy and Daddy...) to wake up on Christmas morning and immediately open a gift from Santa. And Santa hit the nail on the head with a very cool phone.

He's starting to get less timid with the ripping...

Always appreciates Daddy's help.

Thank you Santa Claus!

Fresno Christmas '09

I was TERRIBLE about taking pictures this year both in Fresno and San Jose during Christmas. I got a few cute ones but not near enough. I have failed as a mother.

Anyway, we were in Fresno from December 22nd until Christmas morning. We had a nice, relaxing time and it's always so much fun to see Luke interact with his cousins. They are so far apart in age (16,11,7,2) but they get along great and always seem to have a good time.

Uncle Dave, Kaylene, Brennen and Maggie (under the hair.)

Cousins (Maggie was being camera shy.)

All four of them almost have the exact same color hair. I LOVE this picture. It made it to a frame on our hallway wall before posting it here.

Righty was a big help in opening gifts. Luke was definitely starting to get into it...

Until he went after Uncle Brian's pile and I had to stop him. Mid-pout here.

Brennen made Luke into a Christmas ninja. He obviously took this duty very seriously.

Luke is ALL about taking pictures. And for some reason- that is his picture taking face.

Uncle Brian, Luke, Kaylene (in psychedelic Snuggie) and Maggie.

I promise that Papa, Grandma Chrissy, Aunt Julie, Daddy and I were, in fact, present but like I said, I was horrible at taking pictures. After the chaos of last year (Luke's shunt malfunction immediately following Christmas) I really just wanted to relax so I mostly just sat, opened my own gifts (thank you!) and watched. I hope Santa keeps me on the nice list for next year...

Christmas Train.

I forgot to post these pictures leading up to Christmas so I have to do it now. Matt and I decided it was time the Henard family had a Christmas tree train so we got a very nice Polar Express version from Lionel Trains. While Luke and I were in San Jose the beginning of December, Matt worked like crazy to get the train up around the tree for which he had to build the entire elevated track.

I was totally amazed when I got home (sometimes I forget how creative my husband is!) and Luke was... completely freaked out. We heard "Maybe we can be all done with the train" about 20 times that week because Matt kept trying to gently introduce it to him. I'm guessing he didn't like the noise and he's just not a fan of things he's not familiar with.

After that initial week, Luke warmed up. He liked being allowed to control it (go figure) so as long as he could start and stop it all will (with Daddy's supervision of course) he was totally into it.

The pictures don't do the track justice but believe me- Matt did a great job. He also made it completely in sections so it stored easily and will be a snap to put together next year. Nice job Daddy!

Luke had to lay on his stomach just like Daddy.

Trying to figure it out through the Christmas gift tunnel.