Tulum

By the time we got to Tulum the heat was almost unbearable.  Luckily, there was a man selling popsicles at the entrance.  They were probably the best popsicles I had ever eaten.  Not sure if it was because of popsicles themselves or just the fact that I was beyond hot and miserable.  

The stroller was a bit of a problem at Tulum so we didn't get the full picture of it.  We had to skip parts of it and take different routes that were stroller appropriate.  However, it was beautiful.  The setting of Tulum is gorgeous.   It is amazing how it sits right on the cliff overlooking a perfect beach.  The breeze from the ocean was heaven sent!  

Luke loved all of the iguanas roaming the grounds.  We saw too many to count.  I loved this one iguana...it was like he was posing for my picture!  

Coba

One day we decided to venture out of the resort and go on an excursion.  It wasn't easy deciding on an excursion with a group this big, but we finally made up our minds and went.  Our first stop of the day was Coba.  It's a Mayan ruin that was about thirty minutes from our resort.  Luke and Emerson got a little bored listening to our tour guide.  Luckily, they entertained each other!  Lukers wanted to get climbing, that was what he was most excited about.  Poor Brody was so hot and uncomfortable.  He liked getting out of his stroller though and riding on Daddy's shoulders.

Luke had fun climbing the smaller temples and steps.  He wanted to know all about the indians, as he referred to them.  Luke was sure he wanted to climb the big temple and was super pumped until we got there and he realized how tall it was.  He was even more crushed when he asked me to carry him to the top and I said no.  Even I was a little nervous at first, I've never climbed anything that high up before.  I was glad that I did it though, because the view at the top was amazing.  Standing at the top looking out over the canopy was surreal.  

After we were done at the temple we went to a nearby restaurant for lunch.  I don't know if it was because were so hot and hungry, but the lunch was amazing and probably the best meal of trip.  Mark was feeding a very tired and hungry Brody off of his plate.  Brody had eaten almost everything and all that was left was Mark's pico.  He decided to give Brody just a tomato from the dip, not knowing how spicy it really was.  Poor Brody screamed like never before.  I quickly scooped it out of his mouth and got him a drink and that still didn't calm him.  Luckily, the waiter brought us over a mango flan and that satisfied his burning mouth.  Poor baby boy wasn't ready for such a spicy lunch.    

Are We Builders or Wreckers?!?!

Luke could spend everyday of his life on the beach digging in the sand.  He always asks for helpers but then regrets it after he finds out how intense his helpers are.  Luke likes to build mounds instead of castles and he wants to have fun while doing it.  His helpers, on the other hand, take it very serious and want to do their best.  Daddy, Uncle Max, and Grandma Tracy were constantly asking Luke, "Are you a builder or a wrecker?"  They didn't want to see their hard work destroyed and Luke wanted to climb the mound or walk in the moat.  

Despite the differing views Luke always had a blast and was so proud of the finished project!  He was always excited to come out the next day and see if his mound had survived the night.  Luke would then roundup his workers and tell them they had work to do! 

One day, to mix things up, Maddie buried Luke in the sand and turned him into a mermaid.  He thought this was pretty cool, but he didn't stay in it for long.  We were able to talk him into a couple pics and then he was out of there!  

Luke's Turtle

I guess Playa Del Carmen is allowed to have a cloudy day here or there.  Unfortunately, one of those days occurred on our trip.  Luckily for Luke, the resort had an art project that was right up his alley.  He was able to pick out a piece of pottery, paint it, and then have it cured in a kiln.  My little Luke loves a good art project and he takes them very seriously.  I love how meticulous and focused he is.  He made sure to get every color available on his little turtle box.  

The only downside of this project was Lukers had to wait two full days for his turtle to be ready.  It was agonizing for him and you can only imagine his elation when he saw the pottery was open and his turtle was ready.  He wanted to carry his turtle everywhere for the remainder of the trip and we are lucky the turtle made it home in one piece.     

Brody Meets the Beach

After Christmas we were lucky enough to go to Playa Del Carmen with Mark's family!  Sadly, this year only Tracy's family was able to go.  It was weird not having everyone there since we hardly get to see the Nuttall side of the family.  In the past, we have gone on a cruise but this year we went for an all inclusive resort.  It was ten times easier with kids which was perfect since we had two munchkins this year instead of one.

Having Brody on this trip was a thrill.  It was so fun to watch him enjoy everything and be with family.  His first time in the sand was pure enjoyment.  He wasn't so sure at first and touched the sand a few times before he finally dug in.  After playing with it in his hands for a few moments the next obvious step was eating it.  Brody's expression was very unsure of the taste of sand.  However, that didn't stop him.  He was curious enough to keep test tasting!  His favorite was to find little pieces of wood or sea shells and try to get those in his tiny mouth.  As you can only imagine he was highly offended when he was denied this opportunity.  

Brods was not one big opposed to crawling on the sand and he would crawl right out to the ocean.  Whenever you took Brody into the water on this trip he instantly calmed down.  He loved being in the ocean...until a wave gave him a mouthful of salt water.  Then he got mad.  Sometimes he would be so happy that he would start to slap the water.  However, this only led to saltwater in the face and then he was mad again.  We always get a lot of grief from people that we take our kids on a tropical vacation, but enjoying this little moments with them is priceless.  Are the trips very relaxing...no, but they are a lot of fun and full of memories!  I figure we have the rest of our lives to relax! 

Christmas Morning

Luke was up a little late on Christmas Eve so luckily he didn't wake up too early on Christmas morning.  He woke up around 7:30 and was beyond excited.  Luke was so anxious he had a hard time posing for a quick before picture.  I was amazed how quickly he tore through all of his presents.  They were unwrapped and ready to be played with in no time.  

My little baby was so tired from the night before that he slept through the entire thing.  Brody didn't join us until 9:00.  Luke was so happy when Brody woke up and couldn't wait to help him open presents.  It was so fun to see Brody in awe of everything and completely overwhelmed but excited at the same time!

Luke's finally received his horse trailer and truck.  Santa did a great job picking them out and Luke totally approved.  He named his horses Roxy and Smokey after Uncle Mitch's and Papa's horses.  Brody wasn't sure what he should play with, but he was pretty excited about his basketball hoop.  One thing is for sure though...it's much more difficult to get a picture of Mr. Brody now!  It was such a nice and relaxing Christmas morning.  I am so grateful for my boys and Mark and that I can spend Christmas with them!

Christmas Eve

 

For Christmas Eve we always go to the Waite's house.  The dinner was amazing as usual.  The crown pork looked too pretty to eat.  Brody even sat in his highchair like a big boy and ate rolls and potatoes.  Luke didn't eat any dinner, he was too hyper to even sit at the table.  

After dinner, we played a new game I found...Family Feud Christmas Edition.  It was a lot of fun! Next, was our traditional right-left game.  Luke was highly offended that he couldn't play this game and wanted to get on with the opening of presents.  Mark received a blanket and I received a cute keychain from the game.  

It was not easy trying to get a picture of these cute cousins in their matching pajamas from Papa and Grammy.  I don't think it will be easier in the years to come as we get more wiggly bodies.  

When we got home Luke was so excited to get out Santa's cookies and milk.  However, he told us this year that he thought we should only leave Santa one cookie because he was getting pretty fat.  He quickly changed his mind when Daddy told him the more cookies he gives Santa the more presents he leaves!  Luke also decided that Santa would like Coke better than milk...such a smart boy!!!

It didn't take the kids long to fall asleep that night.  Mark and I cuddled up on the couch and watch Christmas Vacation.  I know I always say this, but every year I can't wait for Christmas to come and then I'm sad it's going to be over.  However, this Christmas has been a favorite.  Luke has been too much fun getting caught up in the magic!  I can't wait for more Christmases to come!