SANTA...I Know Him!

We made our annual trip to Bass Pro Shop last night to see the Santa Claus.  The kids have been talking about it for days.  I love this tradition.  I went with my brother and his kids when they were little and now I get to go with my own kids.  Last year we had a bit of a wait but we must have timed it just right this year because we walked right in line and waited maybe 10 minutes.

No tears this year.  I was shocked.  Last year was the first year Barrett didn't cry and AveryAnn didn't cry this year.  She was a little unsure when I sat her up there but Santa started talking to her and she was fine.

Barrett told him he wanted a "toy pet dinosaur".  All he's talked about is an RC car.  So when we asked him why he didn't ask for that he said, "I already told him that at school, I didn't want to tell him the same thing." ha ha!  He looks so old in these pictures.  

AveryAnn wants a Barbie and a pink house.  She saw the dollhouses at Hobby Lobby last week and I didn't think we were going to get to leave without one.  I told her she had to tell Santa so she's been saying all week, "I tell Santa I want pink house!".  It's been so sweet!

These two have been really good this year so hopefully Santa delivers all they're wishing for!

It's the Holiday Season

We made our annual pilgrimage to the Bass Pro Shops Wednesday night to get a visit with Jolly old St. Nick.  Barrett was 100% convinced we were at the North Pole and it was perfect.

In the past there have been horror stories of lines hours long but we didn't wait long at all.  Barrett was so excited.  He has cried every year but this year he kept telling us he was going to be a big boy and he definitely delivered.  AveryAnn cried last year so I felt like she'd do the same this year.  Boy was I right.  She put on a show.  I'm probably not a very good mom because these pictures are some of my favorites.

These with her hands up by her face are my favorites.

She was all smiles while we waited in line.  I want Barrett to stay this age forever.  It is so sweet.  We walked out of the store and he asked where the reindeer were.  He totally believes all the magic this year and it is so special.  Mr. Elf came back and he's all into that this year too.   It was a really fun family night.  We're really trying to enjoy the holiday season this year.  I want to make it special without overwhelming myself and also still focusing on the real reason for the season. 

Santa! I know him!

Last night we made our 2nd Annual trip to see Santa. (Last years trip is HERE.)  I was pretty confident that Barrett wasn't going to be a fan but he seemed so excited when we got there that I was hopeful.  All the way there we talked about Santa and this was his face when he saw him for the first time.

Priceless.

I had to hold him back from running up to him before it was our turn.  Then it was our turn.. 

He was not happy. 

Santa gave him some candy and he threw it down like a brat. 

I intended to get his outfit monogrammed but I'm glad I didn't waste my time because you wouldn't have seen it anyway.  Santa had the death grip on him because he was trying to escape.

I did manage to get a few not terrible ones.

I can't believe how much he's grown since last year.

Yes, that's my kid playing with the truck in the middle of the floor like he's the only one around.  He didn't like the table they had set up because he wasn't tall enough. So he just put the truck in the floor to play.   

I love his innocence.   

Then we decided to let him ride the carousel.  He liked it last year. 

This year, not so much. 

He cried and cried.  I guess I should have just gotten him off but I thought he would enjoy it once it got moving.

This cracks me up. 

I had no idea it would be torture for him to ride. 

 

He eventually quit crying bu the never loosened his death grip.  Later into the ride he pointed to the reindeer in front of us.  I asked him if he wanted to ride the deer and he said yes.  Of course he says yes to everything so who knows it that was really the problem.

He loved the fish.

He did not love the elevator ride.  He was in the buggy and when the doors closed he started shaking and crying.  It was the saddest thing.  Who is terrified of elevators?  He definitely convinced Patrick that we are still several years off from our first trip to Disney.

And just for fun...these two pictures crack me up.  Apparently our kid is a model and we can't keep our eyes open. 

All in all it was a wonderful family night out.  We've always loved Bass Pro Shops to visit Santa, my advice is if you go during the week try to get there before 5:30.  The line was very short when we arrived and was very long when we left.  One thing I noticed though and I'm not sure if it was just because the few kids I watched were young but Santa didn't ask them what they wanted.  If the kids didn't just pipe up with their list he didn't hear it. Other than that though it was a great set up.  I just love my little guy (and big guy) so much.  I love these little memories. I also apparently love that scarf that is on repeat this season, ha!.  I can't believe Barrett will be two in a week.  Time slow down.