Santa Baby

The visit to Santa is always a highlight of the Christmas season. Don't worry...we will get to that in just a minute. We were driving home from SLC a few weeks ago and passed the light display at Willard Bay. Garrett said, "I wish we could go to that North Pole with Brian and Sher." I thought it was sweet, so I texted and told them what he had said. I didn't expect us all to really go, but Brian is a great uncle and planned an outing for us to visit the North Pole together. My parents rented a big van so we could all enjoy the night together and it was a huge hit! 

We met at the Pizza Plus in Brigham before making the journey to the North Pole. My cousin, Jan, came with us and uses this little scooter thing because she just had foot surgery. The kids loved playing on it and made a few laps around the game room. 

 Somebody took pity on the kids and gave them money for the rides. I've never seen a Tonka truck ride like this. Needless to say, Garrett was in heaven and could not get enough.

 We finished our pizza and made it to the North Pole just in time to see Santa. The kids were all so excited and no tears were even shed this year.

We got to babysit Owen for a few days while Eric and Gini looked for a new house in Sweden. After I agreed to babysit, I realized I had made a huge mistake and told Gini I didn't want to do anything to encourage this move, but she wouldn't let me out of it. ;) Owen is an angel baby and we loved having him here. It makes me so sad to think he is going to be Garrett's age when they get back, but we are trying to be excited for them and the fun opportunity this will be for their family. We took advantage of having a baby around and had a lovely little reenactment of the Nativity for Family Home Evening. Does it get any better than this picture?

The kids were so mesmerized from their Santa visit they decided to "play" Santa Claus. They put a chair at the top of the stairs and gathered a basket full of trinkets and treats. They took turns being Santa, the elf, and the kid who got to visit and choose a prize. It was so funny!

Owen couldn't leave the stairs alone and we had to dig out our old gate. This played nicely into the Santa game and Garrett even made a sign that said, "Get in line here for Santa." (Or something like that.) They loved opening and closing the gate and letting the "customers" in to visit Santa.

It just so happens Santa himself was visiting the town library, so we got to see the Jolly Old Elf again. Two times in less than a week! The kids were thrilled to see him and I was overjoyed that Garrett still wants a pirate ship and a Jack in the Box and Abby wants a princess castle. Phew! The elves have already made and wrapped their presents and we are hoping for no last-minute change orders.