Santa 2018

We finally made it to see Santa this year - only FIVE days before Christmas! Cutting it a little close...

Thankfully I had some help! My parents kept the kids happy while we all waited in line. 

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Ryan asked Santa for Cozmo & a Wild Thing Power Wheel (which was the first time I had heard of this request).

Grayson asked Santa for a Cozmo & the Hot wheels Ultimate Garage

Hayden asked for My Little Ponies and a Bike

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Sweet little kiddos! All smiles this year! Hayden was still a little unsure of him but she followed her brothers leads and went with it. She even talked to him - although I am pretty sure Santa couldn't understand what she said. He seems to be pretty well trained in talking with kiddos! 

Santa 2016

We decided to visit Santa on Monday after Ryan got out of school. 

Of course we had to prep for such an event. The boys were easy - but Hayden was not so sure about the whole thing. My mom went and pulled a ticket for us at 9am - #70. When we arrived shortly after 3pm we were able to get right into the waiting line, which went pretty fast. I think we were in Santa's lap within 20 minutes.  Gigi met us up there which was so helpful since Ryan had to run to the bathroom and well, having three kids I can always use an extra set of hands. :)

Knocking on Santa's window...

I think seeing how excited the boys were helped - however when we turned the corner she was a little skeptical. I really thought that she was going to clutch on to me and want nothing to do with him, but she actually was OK sitting with him. I mean, she didn't move a muscle. She sat so still and so emotionless.  

Ryan and Grayson were so excited - they practiced speaking loud and clear so that Santa could hear them. Ryan told Santa he wanted Red Socket, which he assured us that Santa would know what it was, however I suggested he just add "it is a Robot" just incase. He also mentioned that he wanted Chip and that they wanted a big trampoline for all of them. Grayson told him that he wanted the Paw Patrol Jungle Terrain Vehicle. yup - it's quite a mouthful. And of course Hayden said nothing - so they boys said that she would like some play-doh. 

And the official picture

Maybe we will get three smiles next year! 

2015

I never blogged about Santa last year (water damaged computer)

This was the best one and Santa's eyes were closed! Gosh darn it!

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Santa 2013

Last week we headed to the mall for a visit with Santa. As we approached Santa, Ryan tensed up and wasn't so sure about the ol' man in the red suit.  However once Santa started talking to him he decided it wouldn't be a horrible idea to take a seat on his lap and have a little chat. 

On the other hand, Grayson wasn't a huge fan. I am pretty sure Santa wasn't a huge fan either (of the screaming). I think this is where he was telling me to come and get him but I couldn't hear him so I was just snapping some pics. Oh I am sure he just loves that. lol. 

 After I grabbed Grayson, Ryan stayed and had a nice little talk with santa. He told him what he wanted for Christmas - a helicopter with a hook on it and then santa told him to be good :) It was pretty adorable!

And here is the 'professional' shot....maybe next year they will both be happy :)

We have gone to this Santa every year (2010, 2011, 2012) ...and he doesn't appear to have actually aged!!!

Pictures with Santa

So proud that it is only December 4th and we have already gone to visit Santa!

Ryan wasn't a huge fan of him last year so I didn't have high hopes. That and the fact that it typically takes him about five minutes to warm up to anyone. I hyped Santa up all morning long and when we were on the way to the mall he was telling me how he was going to tell santa he wanted a choo choo train.

We sat Grayson down first and he was happy as a clam. Little G was even giving out smiles! He just looked so comfy up there will big ol Santa. I had Ryan in my arms and when he got up close he latched on to me hard...the photographer was like...when you set him down just get out of the way as fast as possible. So I did. And he screamed.

 And then Elmo came out.

And happiness was restored!

Grayson was smiling a lot but apparently not at the same time. For half the pics his shirt was covering his face...and then when Elmo came out he couldn't stop staring...you know that stare with big ol eyes and no blinking...that's that wide eyed face you see above! lol!

Heck Ryan started chatting up a storm and didn't really want to leave...perhaps next year he won't take so long to warm up to him!

Santa 2011

We finally made it! I have been seeing friends post pictures of their kids with Santa for the past couple weeks and couldn't wait to take Ryan. Last year we saw Santa at North Park and at Neiman's downtown. The Santa at Neiman's is great and there is no line, but there is something special about the Santa at North Park that I just love!

He's pretty darn popular - which obvious by the always existing line of children waiting to see him. Everyone loves him because he has a reputation for authenticity. The CBS Evening News once called him "one of the country's premier Santas," and years ago The Wall Street Journal labeled him the world's Santa expert. Now he even has a blog! Check it out here. 

Since I wanted to take him back to the Santa at North Park I knew I was going to need some help. Luckily my mom was in town AND Grandma was available too! Yia Yia headed to the mall at 8:30 to get a ticket for us to stand in line. We were #19 - wowzers! And that's standing in line 30 minutes before it even opens! A lot of people get their ticket early and then come back in the afternoon because then you basically just get put right in the front of the line. Since we were working around Ryan's nap time I wanted to go before noon. Santa came out at 11:15 and I think we saw him around 11:45ish.  But between myself, YiaYia and Grandma we had Ryan covered! He played in the toy store, walked around and ate some snacks - not a bad morning if you ask me!

I wondered how Ryan would react this year. I wasn't sure if he would cry - which seems to be the normal reaction for kiddos his age - but I wasn't quite sure what he would do. I was excited to find out. And this is what we got:

As I mentioned before, it was around 11:45 when we finally got to sit on his lap - which is basically nap time. He started tugging on his hair...which made it impossible to keep it nice and neat. He wasn't really scared of Santa but he also wasn't jumping for joy. I think we probably could have gotten a smile out of him if it hadn't been so close to naptime. Oh well! I love my little bug!

It's hard to believe that this was only a year ago...