Las Vegas, Christmas, and Monkey Bread #2

On the plate:  Monkey bread for Christmas morning, Lou Malnati's stuffed pizza, Eli's cheesecake (can you tell that we used to live in the suburbs of Chicago?), In And Out Burger (why can't they open some on the East coast....plllleeeeease???), and turkey dinner with all of the fixings.  We eat very decadent meals at the Waples household - heavenly, delicious, decadent meals.  Yummmmm. :)

Soundtrack to cook to:  Holiday music-a-plenty!

After our great visit to Indiana, we continued our Holiday Tour 2011 to Las Vegas to visit my family and celebrate Christmas with them.  My family is big on traditions during this time, and here are a few that I captured on camera:

My parent's beautifully decorated tree, creepy hand-made life-size Santa,
and tower o'presents.

Grandpa Waples - we're fortunate enough that he lives right
next door to my parents!

Kristen playing around - bullying- gramps.  He loves it!

We brought a couple of Hanukkah books with us and read them
over and over and over to Alexander because he liked them so much.
That kid has GOT to be a pro about Hanukkah by now.

Our little family

Every Christmas Eve, we have a tradition of opening
one present each.  (That was primarily started because
in the past, Kristen and I were DYING with anticipation of ripping
open all of the presents, so my parents satiated our need
for tearing them open by allowing us to open one before Christmas day.)
Here's Kristen delivering the presents to everyone.

Alexander sitting in Joseph's lap - Alexander perked up when
Kristen came over with the gifts in her arms.

Christmas Eve 2011 :)

Pete disappeared and I reappeared!

Ooh!  What'd you get?

Kristen, Mom, and Dad smiling for the camera while opening gifts.

Gramps getting into the festivities as well.

Alexander only enjoyed ripping off little piece by little piece
of the wrapping paper.  After he pulled off each piece, he would run
over to one of us and give us the piece of wrapping paper.  This
proved to be quite tedious, so we ended up helping him out instead.

New Thomas the Tank Engine PJs in a Size 4T!  Perfect to grow into!
He was so excited about them that he tried to put them on.

After opening presents, Dad always reads O'Henry's short story Gift of the Magi while we all sit and listen.  It's such a great story to read during this time of year about a young, modest couple named Jim and Della who struggle to purchase one another a Christmas present.  I won't spoil the ending for you, but if you have the time, you should read it - it truly is heartwarming.  I have fond memories of Kristen and I curled up in our pajamas on the couch and listening to my father read this to all of us with the glow of the Christmas lights on in the background.

Normally after the reading, my mom, sister, and I head to bed to take a quick nap before we go to midnight mass.  However, our church offered "midnight mass" at 4 p.m. this year, so we had already gone to mass.  Instead, we had a few drinks, watched a movie, and went to bed.

I prepped this delicious goody the night before, and then popped it
into the oven while everyone was still getting up.

Grandpa, Dad, and Kristen excited to dig into the monkey bread.

Alexander decided to entertain everyone with
his maraca skills.  (Indiana people - do you like his
Harry's shirt?  Joseph and I couldn't resist.  Lol)

Alexander checking out what Santa brought him
in this gigantic bag.

"TOTTI!!!!" (Thomas the tank engine).  After
Hanukkah and Christmas, our home is now
overflowing with diesels, steamies, and playsets.
Oh MY! :)

Gramps digging in as well.

There goes Alexander again, ripping off tiny pieces of paper and preparing
to hand them to the nearest person so that he can go back for more.

Pete and Alexander ripping away at the paper, while Mom continues
to deliver gifts to everybody.  

Gramps and Joseph taking a breather from all of the gift unwrapping.

Alexander checking out one of his Thomas travel playsets.  It's so funny
that after all of the gifts were unwrapped, Alexander was completely
silent while he was playing for the rest of the day.
This is a very unnatural occurrence.

Kristen modeling her new pajamas - yep,
that's the Waples in her - and yep, she's a grown adult.  

Christmas morning deconstructed.  We're actually pretty neat about
all of the wrapping paper and make sure to put it in a recycling bag
after each present is unwrapped.  We're neatniks.

Mom got Dad a gag gift of The Christmas Story's famous leg lamp.
Everyone said, "It's a major award!"  Alexander instinctively went
up to the leg and felt it up - just like the boy in the movie.  As you
can see, my parents thought that was quite entertaining.

Mom sharing a picture album and a cookie with Alexander.

After all of the unwrapping of gifts, we had a pretty laid back day and finished it off with my mom's turkey dinner with all of the fixings.  It was a great day where we got to spend quality time with one another and continued our traditions as we do each year.  It's really nice that Alexander was able to participate in these traditions this year.  Until next time...

Love and kisses,

Nikki