"Lola, the only dog I ever loved."

I ran across these photos of a pup we named Lola in the pet store about 4 years ago, and had a realization.

Sometimes being responsible stinks. 

Binx has been saying that she is going to ask Santa for a baby dog for Christmas. 

But at this point, a real one is not going to happen any time soon. 

We are just not in a position to be able to care responsibly for an animal and Santa knows it.

Sorry, Binx.

Sorry, Lola.

Sorry, puppy in the Santa hat.

Santa Claus Came to Town

This week (and the coming week) has been insane and with finals and an event every night (and for ten consecutive days), we've felt a little (or a lot) overwhelmed.

Because of all of the insanity, we missed the annual Santa Party. But, once again, my amazing mother-in-law stepped in and suggested that Adi Tango with Santa.

So, she did!

After having spoken to all the kids that were here, Jennifer handed the phone to Santa Claus and Adi got to smile and chat with him for a minute.

She was completely overjoyed with one of the most incredible ear-to-ear smiles I've ever seen!

She told Santa she loved him and got to blow kisses to him before he had to head back to the North Pole!

Here's to technology and being able to chat with Santa even if we couldn't make it to the party!

Dashing through the... Trees

After Santa pictures, we had about 20 minutes to wait for edits. So we hung around Thanksgiving Point to check things out.

There was an greenhouse.

And reindeer - Adi loved them.

And, best of all, a Christmas-tree lot. 

It didn't take long before she realized what these mini-forests are good for, and that's running.

This little one got a hug.

Santa!!!

Last year we gave FotoFly a try and did Santa pictures there. It beats the mall Santa pictures because the parent can dress up like Santa, which relieves a lot of anxiety for the kids. They also have a Santa on site, just in case you want Santa's face to show. And, it's cheaper or about the same price as the mall Santa (if you're into that kind of thing). 

Binx wasn't too sure about me dressed up like Santa last year, but this year she thought it was hilarious and wanted to dance with me because she was a princess. We compared the pictures from last year and this year - what a difference a year makes (especially in terms of hair)! 

There seems to be a default set of poses - our suggestion is to come prepared and assertive with the photographer if you want something different. Regardless, the pictures of the Binx were pretty cute.

 And I guess the poses allow for year-to-year comparisons, right?

So as Binx would say, "Santa Claus came to town!" 

And as Elf, a personal favorite, would say, "SANTA!!!"

Santa Party | 2011

Four years ago, when I became part of Ryan's family, I was privileged with the chance to sit on the real Santa's lap. In fact, I've been blessed to be able to sit on his lap every year; it has been a tradition in Ryan's family for over twenty-five years. 

Each year Santa comes to a Sunday-evening family Christmas party. It's been dubbed the "Santa Party" because Santa makes a special trip, with a special naughty and nice list. He invites each child (or in my case adult) to sit on his lap, asks specifics about school, life, jobs, etc, asks what we want for Christmas and when all is said and done hands out delicious cherry candy canes. (He even manages to bring a few extra for Brooke :) 

Last year, Adi met Santa for the first time. She did fairly well and this year she did even better. She must be her mama's child because although you can't quite tell in either of the videos, she loves Santa. (Again, I won't mention that I've been priming her since September.)

And do I love that she loves Santa? You bet.

Santa Party | Christmas 2011

Santa's Confessions

This guy and I had a conversation Christmas morning before Adi woke up. I was so excited for Adi to see what Santa had brought her, but also slightly overwhelmed at her Christmas surprises. 

Truth be told, Santa went a smidgen overboard. But reassured us that Adi had been an extra good girl this year.

Princesses anyone?

Binx is definitely obsessed at this point.

Secrets Secrets

Are so fun!

Only a few days until Christmas and I've got some secrets up my sleeve. I'm kind of excited about it.

I'm like a child waiting to get up Christmas morning, but even as an adult I still can't wait to get up Christmas morning.

Can't wait for the expressions of surprise!

Can't wait to see what Santa brought.

Can't wait to see the look on Adrielle's face as she opens her gifts.

Excited. So excited.

Shhh...

Featured!

A friend from back east has developed and runs a blog about parenting. I've seen it a few times, and have been duly impressed. Jasmine finds great parenting tips and tricks as well as health awareness and notices about child safety. She is fabulous.

Anyway, yesterday she asked if she could highlight our post about Adi's Santa pictures on her blog as part of their weekly highlights. It was fun to be featured, and I would encourage moms out there to check out her blog, it's quite informative and educational.

Believe

A few weeks ago, Ryan told me about FotoFly. I'm not sure where he learned about them, but after looking at the gallery, I was hooked. 

So, we scheduled our five-minute slot. Friday was the big day and we dressed Adi up to meet the jolly old elf himself. She was really excited when she saw Santa, although still apprehensive. (I won't mention that I've been priming her since September...) But, the nice thing about FotoFly is that the parents can dress up like Santa if you feel like your kids will do better.

So, Ryan donned the red suit, and voila! 

An almost-smile, she still wanted me. (And notice Ryan's awesome watch... :)

LOVE this. (Just wish the bow weren't covering her face so much.)

So sweet. 

Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Came a Little Early

To our surprise this week, Santa sent an early Christmas gift...

A special Christmas Elf and his very own book. 

Adi named him Buddy and I can tell they're going to be friends. (:

First Christmas!

Not a lot to write because Kenz already posted videos. But these were some of my favorite pictures of the baby girl on her first Christmas.

Her Christmas pj's cracked me up!

Adrielle Meets The Big Man For the First Time!

She's Makin' A List, and Checkin' It Twice...

Adi knows what she wants for Christmas...