I Still Want a Hula Hoop

After a few run ins with some odd-looking Santa stand-ins, we were fortunate that the real deal came for Christmas:

I can assure you that this year mommy wasn't kissing Santa Claus.

As we got to the gifting, the excitement at the Curtis residence was palpable:

Just hope that someday your kids get this excited over a book.

Topher was a lot more animated than last Christmas.

Santa apparently learned that if it has wheels, Topher will love it.

The day wasn't without an incident or two. First there was a monkey attack:

Fortunately, a monkey Pillow-Pet attack is a relatively harmless event.

And then a zombie showed up:

A present or two was all it took to neutralize this threat.

At the Huffs, Topher was warmed up and in fine present opening form.

Santa's onslaught of wheeled items continued:

This one played music, which in our family we refer to as a double whammy.

Overall it was a good Christmas and we'd like to thank all the Santa's out there (Cotton ball bearded ones included).

Ramping up for the Holidays

As I mentioned in the last post, after our early Christmas it was time for us to set out for Christmas vacation in Utah.

I'm not sure where we are at this point, but the landscape looks about as varied as Nebraska.

Topher did great on the flight. He slept quite a bit and ate for the rest of the time.

This smile brought to you by Honey Grahams.

Once we got a little sleep it was time to get right to work. Visiting Santa was early on the agenda.

Topher was a little weirded out that Santa showed up in his pajamas.

As was visiting the lights at Temple Square.

Topher actually slept through most of our visit there. Not bad for it being freezing and windy. He is his father's son.

But, even with all of the things to do, we have had some moments of down-time.

He hasn't learned to stick it in his mouth afterwards, fortunately.

We spent the last two nights at family Christmas parties.

Topher didn't get the popcorn popper as a gift. He actually stole it from another kid.

The parties have been good practice with opening presents as well as making a mess of the wrapping paper.

Nothing like wallowing in wrapping paper to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Topher has enjoyed all the attention he is receiving. He's been showing off his dancing and stand-up routines, as well as learning some new tricks:

Here is a link if the video doesn't work.

Christmas in (Early) December

Because we are getting better at learning from our mistakes, we decided this year that we would rather not lug all of our gifts to Utah and then bring them right back. Instead, we decided to drop a line for Santa and let him know that we'd be having an early Christmas.

Topher was pretty pleased with the idea.

So, the Sunday before we left for Utah we started doling out the gifts.

"I'll take the bow, you can keep the rest."

Topher seemed a little less enthusiastic about the books than we had hoped.

"This is bogus."

But he quickly cheered up once the basketball hoop (Thanks Grandma!) and Speed Racer Hot Wheels track (Thanks Toys R' Us!) came out.

This is how they used to help John Stockton dunk it, too.

Topher didn't get to have all the fun though. I got more merchandise from my personal hero:

If this is your first time reading the blog, that means Ringo Starr.

As did Megan:

And if you know Megan, you no doubt know that that means Chuck Norris.

After opening presents, all we had to do was to pack up and get ready to go to Utah.

That pack of cards should serve him well during the flight.

We'll bring you coverage of the flight and our adventures in Utah in coming posts. In the meantime, enjoy this picture of Topher watching March of the Emperor Penguins:

Join your friends, little penguin!

Quick Update

Hi All,

Don't miss my other post from today below, but I wanted to make a note or two. Apparently the youtube videos didn't work properly on my "Glimpse of the Future" post from two weeks ago. Here are the links, I'm sure you'll enjoy them:

Ringo

Banana

Barf

The other big news comes thanks to a visitor from India. Apparently we are the top hit when you search for "fatter little boy" on google. This can't be good for the old self-esteem.

Thanksgiving and the Aftermath

What could possibly make Topher stare so intently into the stove?

Assuming, of course, that he is not just giving his reflection a smooch.

There is only one correct answer:

This year's turkey looks a little weird. Some of the spices we put on it ended up burning on the surface. It was still delicious.

Unfortunately, Megan and Topher have been under the weather (if by weather you mean the flu) all week, so we couldn't go to Thanksgiving with our friends like we'd planned. Fortunately, we make sure to keep a backup turkey nearby for just such a contingency.

He really is sick. Stuffing just makes him that happy.

After the food, it was time to get down to business.

We don't think he can read yet, but we are not sure.

Toph and I got to work setting up our decorations. Where we're only going to be in Connecticut for a couple more weeks, we wanted to get them up as soon as possible.

Topher is a whiz at untangling beads.

And here is the end result:

We hope someday to not have to keep our tree on the table. Sometimes it feels like that day is pretty far off.

Unfortunately, Topher's prowess at untangling beads did not translate to tinsel.

Fortunately for us, the tinsel was enough of a distraction that he left the Santa hat on for a few seconds so we could snap a picture.

Christmas is coming soon, and Topher is ready:

Glimpse of the Future

I think it's in the basic makeup of parents to wonder what their children will become. Today we wanted to let you all in on some of our current hypotheses.

First off, we gave Topher (and daddy) a haircut yesterday. This was his first full haircut. We had trimmed his bangs and over his ears before, but this was the first time with the clippers and everything. He handled it like a pro, but all of the sudden he looked much more like a little boy than a baby.

Topher would also like to congratulate his Huskies for their triumphal victory over Notre Dame last night. He would also like to rub said triumphal victory in his Uncle Jarom's face, again.

In unfulfilled parental dreams news, it looks like Topher is on the fast track to becoming the next Ringo Starr (his and my favorite Beatle), or, based on the second half of the video, the next Animal (a good muppet [though no Swedish Chef]):

Topher has also been working his way towards talking (and back talking). Though "Knock" has the honor of being Topher's first word (Thanks to Mr. Brown Can Moo!), "Banana" came in as a close second. Please pay no mind to the pile of laundry behind him.

Now, you might be saying, "Scott, it only took you 'til your second video to break from your theme of Topher's future." I humbly apologize for this and now offer some talking that is much more on topic. It may not be his first or second word, but I think it is a pretty clear indication of the path he's on.

That's my boy.

Hi Peeps!

I wanted to get some pictures up from my recent trip to Utah before I'm back in Utah for Christmas (four weeks from today!!!). There's almost 40 of them, so good luck! What can I say, I love my family :).

Aunt Becca cooking with Toph.

If that's not excitement, I'm not sure what is!!

Matchy green, matchy, matchy green :)

Cute aunts (and baby of course!).

Thank you Hannah! Hahahahaha!

I wish I could say that this is the craziest picture I got of Libby, but you'll see... :)

Katy and Jenny looking a bit more normal than Hannah :)

Thankfully, Grandma Huff taught Toph to knit while we were in Utah. The fact that they were using chopsticks didn't
seem to hinder them :),

They both seem happy, don't they? :)

Bean Museum fun.

Amy and Toph boding over drink :).

I love my grandma's face in the background. Hahahahahaha!!

Abby just chillin'. Didi a bit of that myself :).

Here it is...crazy face!!!

Toph learned what we've all known for years: It's easy and fun
to beat up Libby :).

Toph and I went to Cabelas for the first time. It was a success I'd have to say!

Grandpa Curtis showing Toph the fish.

It was nice to have so many people help with Toph!!

Eating a chocolate cookie that my dad gave him. Gotta love grandparents!! I know Toph appreciates the sugar!!

Amy and Toph played peekaboo underneath the wood stove for hours!

And Toph jumped on the trampoline for the first time too!

Not surprisingly, he loved it!! It was a fabulous trip!

Toph and I miss everyone and we can't wait to hang out with you guys again in just a few weeks! This time we'll let Scott come too :).