Leila loves going for a ride in the new Razor. She loves the wind in her face. We don't go very fast, and when we stop she fusses that she want's to go faster. We have plenty of trails to ride on here in the desert, and enjoyed playing down by the water on Christmas Eve. 
We were away last Christmas when Leila was just a baby, so this year it was our turn to stay home. She was so excited when she woke up, and started jumping up and down in her crib. We woke up early and started making breakfast pancakes and cinnamon rolls. She started climbing on her little tykes bus from Santa, checked out the presents under the tree, and loved all her new toys, books, and puzzles. We missed seeing my side of the family, but are so fortunate to have my in laws, sister in law/brother in law's family here in Havasu. We had a wonderful lunch at their house. 
Such a great Christmas!
I love looking back on all our childhood pictures with Santa. My Mom displays them every Christmas, and it's fun to see the outfits we wore,(sorry Mom, the sweat outfits rocked) how we changed over the years, and all the different Santa's we visited. I am excited to start that same tradition with my own family.
We took Leila to sit on Santa's lap for the first time this weekend. She was all smiles when we arrived. He was a gentle Santa complete with a real beard, and a nice red coat. He even gave us a jolly, "HO HO HO". He was the real deal sent straight from the North Pole. When we sat her on his lap, she looked worried, but was trying to be so brave. We jumped around to try to make her smile, and the more we did, the more her lip started to quiver. Once Santa offered her a Candy Cane, she relaxed in his arms, started smiling, and made herself comfortable. There were no tears and we even got a smile. I can't wait for Christmas!
Crawl into a cupboard. It's way more fun!
Our little sweet Leila just isn't into toys. She has always loved the things we take away from her such as cords, wires, the laptop, camera, and cell phones. We have baskets of toys that she will sit for a minute and play with, read her board books for awhile, but would much rather have "adult" type toys. Christmas is coming soon...very soon, and although she doesn't need anything, I must get her something. As with most kids, she'd be happier with a box and some ribbon. SO, with all these toys she has, I find her playing in this cupboard. The one cupboard we allow her to take her tupperware in and out of, she has cleared out and now lays in it.
She is the perfect length, stretches out, puts her feet up, and stays in there for hours. She's such a happy, carefree kid. Gotta love her imagination!
We put up our tree this past weekend, and although I enjoy seeing it up for a whole month, it is going to be a long month of guiding Leila away from the tree. She was napping when we put it up and when she awoke, she was so amazed. You could see it in her eyes that she was plotting which ornament she would remove first. I love this time of year, and I can't wait for this Christmas, because Leila will begin to make memories as she opens presents, her stocking, hides in boxes, tears open wrapping paper, and leaves cookies and milk for Santa. I want her to have the Christmas's I remember as a child, and I will be sure to get it all on video tape!
We spent Thanksgiving at my sister Alison and brother-in-law Richard's house in Hemet. They are always such great hosts. It was a great meal, with many laughs, surrounded with loving family. Grandma Linda enjoyed spending time with her Grandbabies, and took Leila on a walk around the neighborhood.
Grandma Linda came out to visit mid-week and stayed through the weekend. We had a great time and always wish we lived closer to both sides of our family. Grandma and Daddy were teaching Leila how to juggle. Who knows, maybe someday we'll have a daughter who wants to join the circus.
Every year Havasu has a Halloween event downtown on main street. The businesses participate and hand out candy. It was very busy this year, but we managed to walk the street until Leila was ready for bed. She was a little Bumble Bee and loved wearing her little hat. She would sit in front of the mirror and make the antennas bounce around. Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! 
Now that it's cooler, it's been nice to play in the backyard insead of being couped up indoors. We recently got a little pad of grass so that Leila can play on something other than rocks. She loves to explore every inch of grass, every rock, plant, and bug in her path. She could probably stay out there for hours!
We took a trip to Santa Barbra this past weekend and had such a great time. It's never easy to travel with a little one who fusses in the car, but suprisingly Leila tolerated the 6 hour ride like a champ. She enjoyed playing with her Cousins and getting loves from her Aunt Kristin and Uncle Jon. The weather was a little rainy, but we still managed to walk to a little family pumpkin patch. We saw some animals, took a tractor ride, walked through the corn maze, and picked out a baby pumpkin. 
It was a great family weekend. I just wish Santa Barbra wasn't so far away so we could go there more often!
We love this cool weather. It's been in the mid 80's and so beautiful down by the water. I love this time of year. Leila loves her goldfish, and could probably sit and swing all day long. Nice thing is that she is now taking a second nap of the day! Win win for both of us!
It's funny how little kids learn how to do big people things just by watching us. Aunt Angie bought Leila a sparkly princess purse, and Leila immediately picked it up, looped her arm through the handle and started walking on her tip toes around the house. Just like that, all grown up! Now she'll need a purse to match her outfits! 
The weather is finally cooling off in the mornings and by cooling off, I mean it's not 95 degrees at 8:00, it's now 75 and beautiful! We've been out and about the last couple mornings hitting up a few different parks, attempting to find swings. We hiked uphill to a park by our house yesterday and was disappointed to find no swings. Leila was more interested in the adjacent dog park with all the barking canines. I think they wanted to eat her for breakfast. She thought they were funny. 
Not too sure of the slide
Today we found the swings down near the water at a nice little park. I think we will be going back there, but we had to share the swings and Leila didn't want to get off of them. She had fun rolling in the bark, and watching the big kids play. 
I love this time of year!
Leila turned ONE this weekend and her party was at the Pakes Ice Cream Parlor. We had such a great time preparing for her party. My sister, who is super creative had given me the idea for her party. She came a couple days early to help me get ready, and together we pulled off a great party.
