Photo Review of Christmas and New Year's

Where has the time gone? Middle of January and I still haven't put up the pictures from our Christmas trip to Las Vegas. As always, I've posted entirely too many pictures, but what can I say...our kid is cute.

Family pic before Christmas Eve mass

After mass, Bill prepared a seafood feast for us (a Cherkauskas family tradition on Christmas Eve) that was DELICIOUS. Then we had just enough time before bed to...

Decorate gingerbread cookies for Santa

Open just one present (new Christmas PJs)

And cuddle up to read the Polar Express.

My parents' Christmas tree shining bright on Christmas Eve

Drew showing off a new fire truck (that came with a fire station too!) from Santa

Drew with Aunt Katie & Uncle Johnny yelling "SANTA!" on Christmas morning

Drew carefully placing napkins at the breakfast table on Christmas morning.

Family shot Christmas morning

After presents were opened Drew set about playing with each and every one of them right away. Here he is flying his new Trio building set helicopter around the living room.

The morning after Christmas we went to lunch at "The Top of the World" restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere hotel (or, as Drew refers to it the very tall building with towers). Here's Drew with the view from our lunch table.

Family shot at the indoor observation deck

John, Mom, and Katie at the indoor observation deck

Sibling shot at the outdoor observation deck, which was (if it's not obvious) quite chilly and windy

Drew with Grandma and Grandpa at the top of the Stratosphere

That same night Bill and I had a date night down on the Strip, enjoying a wonderful dinner at the Monte Carlo's steakhouse, a little dueling piano bar at New York New York, and then the Zumanity Cirque du Soleil show. Thanks to the grandparents, Katie, and John for keeping Drew entertained.

One of Drew's presents from us was a 540 piece globe puzzle. We spent the better part of one morning putting this together, as I sorted the thankfully numbered pieces and Bill put them together. Here's Drew with a 2/3 completed globe on his head.

What's one difference between Christmas in Vegas and Christmas in Northern New York? That it's warm enough to go outside and play with BUBBLES! Grandma and Grandpa gave Drew this bubble gun that entertained him for a good half hour one brisk morning.

We brought our Nintendo Wii with us and had some regular Calnon Rock Band concerts. Here's Drew rocking out on the drums.

To fill an otherwise empty afternoon, Bill, John and I brought Drew down to the Circus Circus Adventuredome.

Here's Drew on an airplane ride

Drew & Dad on a ride I never would have taken him on, but Daddy is far more adventurous than I am.

Drew & Dad on their first of three trips to the Bumper Cars

Family pic inside the Bellagio Conservatory

Grandma, Grandpa, Drew and a polar bear made of carnations in the conservatory

Drew & Uncle Johnny watching a little TV in their nearly matching shirts

After a breakfast buffet at the Santa Fe (closest casino to my parents' house) we decided to check out the hotel's bowling alley.

My mother hadn't bowled since the 70s (so she claimed) yet stepped up and hit a strike in her first frame. Here's Drew congratulating her. It was all down hill from there, so we're pretty sure she was telling the truth.

Uncle Johnny helps Drew count the number of pins he knocked down

Katie celebrating a spare on her last frame

Stellar bowlers we are not...

Grandma, Grandpa and Drew before New Year's Eve dinner

Family pic

Drew trying to get away from the picture with Aunt Katie and Uncle Johnny

Aunt Katie and Drew at NYE dinner

We had a great trip and a wonderful time with my family. In the middle of New Year's Eve dinner it hit me that Bill will be missing all of this next year, and while it produced some tears at the moment, it also just made me treasure each memory of this year's holidays that much more.