Hey, Santa

Hey, Santa, remember us?

We have only visited with you three or four times already this holiday season.

We are always happy to see you, but don't say or smile much once we are sitting upon your lap.

We mostly like you for the obligatory candy cane we receive after each session.

And then we may or may not try to steal another on our way out.

Either way we are pretty excited for what we hope will be your second visit.

Between mistaking cousins dressed in red and white as one of your many helpers, and the many times we make the little one say Ho, Ho, Ho I think we are officially ready for Christmas Day.

Yes, we love ourselves a little Santa time this year.

In fact, we still have one more visit with the jolly old fella lined up for tomorrow night.

Perhaps this time Stella will actually say a few words, but if she does I am guessing it will only be to ask for a candy cane.

I am pretty sure that is all she thinks Santa carries in that sack of his and she couldn't be happier about it.

Santa was kind enough to make an early visit to Columbus last week.

Stella and Eliza awoke to find a Christmas note from Old St. Nick himself.

It explained how he heard they would be out of town visiting their grandmas for Christmas so he thought he would stop by a little bit early this year.

He reminded them to be good girls and to obey their parents, and that if they did he might just be able to find them again on Christmas morning.

We shall see...

Stella loves her new kitchen and we had fun watching her open the few gifts we gave the girl's this year.

The rest of the day was spent getting ready for three weeks out west with a freshly vaccinated 6 week old and a feverish toddler.

It was a slightly hectic day, but Stella made sure we were well fed and ready for the journey ahead.

Since we arrived in Utah and Idaho we have been keeping plenty busy with lots of family fun.

By far the most entertaining portion of the trip as of yet was attempting a Christmas photo shoot with a two year old, one year old, and a newborn as our models.

As you might guess, chaos quickly ensued.

We finally resorted to grandma and grandpa doing their best to hold the children in place while the rest of us made fools of ourselves trying to get them all to look at just one of the many cameras.

Oh, and I gave my child a chocolate candy as a bribe.

I would say it was a mildly successful effort.

Time has also been spent staying warm inside the Cabin in Bear Lake.

Eliza was introduced to so many people who love her, and there was always someone ready and willing to play with Stella or rock a crying baby.

It wouldn't be Christmas at the cabin without a few gifts and some friendly competition.

The annual gift exchange was again a success, and Ryan and I walked away with some of the nights most coveted items.

Always great to be a winner.

Mini ballet slippers, fire fighter rain jackets (for a little boy who might one day become a third generation fireman), and homemade mittens tied up with string were definitly a few of my favorite things.

Even Stella knows the cabin is the perfect spot for a long winter nap; ballet slippers and all.

When we are home we do things for fun like taking baths in grandma's sink, doing our part to organize Nana's jewlery, and, of course, playing with, fighting with, and bossing around Mr. Dodger.

Just a few more days until we see if Santa makes a return visit!

Until then we will continue to enjoy our curious two year old who loves to talk about baby Jesus and the moments we get to spend rocking a sweet baby to the sounds of Silent Night sung by the light of the Christmas tree.

It really is a very merry Christmas.