Santa Photo -- Photo Blog

Part of the fun of Christmas time with children is going to a local mall or department store to have them sit on Santa's knee and tell him just what they're wishing for.

This being Monster's first Christmas, visiting Santa was crucial. Not so much for the candy cane or for Monster to whisper his wish list in Mr. Claus' ear but for the amazing photo op. I didn't go all out and dress Monster in his finest clothes because in all honesty, I prefer his normal clothes. I mean, I am the one who picked most of them.

Our first meeting with Santa was last Friday. We plunked Monster down on his knee and backed away so the photographer had enough room to shoot the photos. We were kind of expecting a HUGE Monster-like smile, but we were also prepared for tears at the same time. No offense Santa but to an unsuspecting infant you're a creepy guy in a bright red suit.

Much to our surprise we got neither reaction. Even after we served up our best comedy acts! Monster sat on Santa's knee staring at him with cautious wonder. No smiles. No tears. We weren't disappointed with the photo but we decided to try again.

4 days later we went to our 2nd Santa at the other mall for another try. Exact same reaction; no smile, no tears. Well, can't say we didn't try! This isn't the official photo, just one I quickly snapped with my phone, but you get the gist. ;)







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Family Traditions - The Christmas Tree 2010 - With Photos

Setting up the Christmas Tree each year is a family affair.

Everyone piles into the truck and drives down to pick out the best tree. Up until this year, by everyone I mean "Hubbs and I". The most important factor when picking out at family Christmas Tree, is that it is REAL. The tree has to be tall enough to be able to touch the ceiling once the star is on top, and has to be full, glorious, but spacey enough to display each ornament in a perfect green hole.

There is never a theme when it comes to colors and ornaments. Actually, the theme is "Christmas Past" as every year we proudly display ornaments as old or older then we are. Plus some we've collected each Christmas since we've been together. Each different, crazy ornament has it's own story and it's own special place with us at Christmas.






This year is Monster's first Christmas so a new ornament was most definitely in order. A babies first Christmas ornament that I will keep safe and cherish until he is grown and has his own Christmas tree. This ornament was picked out by his grandma (my mom) and is a baby boy teddy bear on a carousel horse.






I presume my mother will pick up with the Christmas tradition my grandmother started with her grandchildren. Each year she purchased a new Christmas Tree ornament until we (her grandchildren) were 16, at which time she got us all tree toppers. The idea was so that we when were grown and moved out of the house we'd have something to work with on our very first Christmas alone. I still have almost every single ornament on my tree even after all these years.