The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ~ 19

There's no point in me telling you how un-stress-free my Christmas is this year, you can tell by the fact that I'm woefully behind on my blog posts. Even though they've been planned/written since early October. Going out of town for Thanksgiving has REALLY caused me stress.

Last night we took a break from the madness to go to Snow's first Christmas Program. She was adorable! She waved at us when she saw us and then proceeded to sing with confidence. I foresee a future in choir for her!

So glad she's in the front row so I can see her!

Look who was at the concert!

Santa attended last year's concert for Storm.

Guess he needs a break once in a while too.

Adam, Jessica, Storm, Snow

We love these cuties!

🎄A Few of My Favorite Things🎄

This year's crop of Santa photos: Enjoy!

Thunder (7), Snow (2), Blizzard (1), Santa, Skye (7), Summer (9), Storm (4)

December Sixteenth - Santa, Part 2

Remember my story about our visit to Santa? Here is the photo of Santa with Sunny and Thunder (once Thunder calmed down enough to see him).

December Sixth - Santa

I was so excited about the grandkids' visit to Santa this year. I literally spent weeks anticipating it. You see in October it occurred to me that since JD, Janel, and Blizzard would be here for Thanksgiving it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have all six grandkids in a photo with Santa! Yippee! I plotted and planned... Katie bought matching "Cousin Crew" pj's for them all to wear. I made a reservation to see Santa so we wouldn't have to wait in line.

The big day finally arrived. We drove to the mall in anticipation of the awesome Santa photos we would be getting.

Alas, it was not to be. For some reason as we approached the first photo station, Thunder decided that he did NOT want his photo with Santa. He started throwing a fit like a toddler (most unattractive in a six year old). We managed to get a shot of him in the first photo, but when we reached Santa he completed revolted.

I am bummed. But, on the bright side, I got a photo of five of the grandkids with Santa. I am focusing on the bright side. Really, I am. Yep, one of these days I'll be able to focus on the bright side.

So, here are the Santa photos, the much anticipated Santa photos...

Skye (6), Snow (1), Grammy, Blizzard (10 mos), 

Sunny (8), Storm (3), Gramps, Thunder (6)

Hmmm, wonder if I could insert a photo of Thunder in here?!

Storm is very into Christmas this year and was thrilled 

beyond words to see Santa!

Skye asked for an Appaloosa, but Santa explained that he 

doesn't bring live animals...

Blizzard's first meeting with Santa went very well!

The last time I had a photo of Sunny alone with Santa was in 2010, 

before Thunder was born

After we left the mall, Katie called me and said that Thunder had a change of heart and went back in to take a picture with Santa and Sunny. {{sigh}}

Christmas in July: Day Twenty-eight - Santa

I love Santa. I believe in Santa. That's why it's easy for me as my eight year old granddaughter is starting to question Santa's existence.

Sunny: Is Santa real?
Me; What do you think?
Sunny: Mia said it's our parents.
Me: Do you believe that?
Sunny: Do you believe in Santa, Grammy?
Me: Yes, I do.

She usually gives me a long look, but then is relieved that I still believe! haha

Today, let's enjoy some images of Santa.

This Santa has taken photos with my grandkids at the Arrowhead Towne Center Mall in Peoria Arizona for the past six years. He IS Santa!

December Sixth- The Santa Photos

We gathered all of the cousins up and went to visit Santa at the Mall the weekend before Thanksgiving. It's always a magical time and I love to see the kids' reaction to Santa from year to year. The really cool thing is that this Santa must be the real Santa because he's in every picture we've had for the last six years!

Skye

Thunder and Sunny

Thunder, Storm, Snow, Skye, Sunny

Snow and Storm

Skye, Grammy, Storm, Snow, Jessica, Katie, Thunder, Sunny

Christmas in July Day Twenty Eight: Santa

I am an adult who believes in Santa. Yes, there are a few of us around. I get some funny looks when I say this, but I don't care. Santa is the fun in Christmas. I enjoy hearing my grand kids get all excited about what Santa might bring them this year. I enjoy traveling to the Mall with them every year to watch as they sit on his lap. I encourage them to put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and water for the reindeer.

It's fun!

The image of Santa has evolved over the years. You can find Santa in a red suit or wearing blue or green. Santa is roly-poly or thin as a stick. I have a small collection of Santa's, but what I really appreciate is images of Santa. Especially the vintage images.

So today, as I write this post and it's in the 90s before 7 am, I'm going to cool down by sharing images of Santa.

Ho ho ho!

Christmas in July: Santa

Happy Independence Day!

I thought it would be fun to combine two of my favorite holidays today by featuring Santa Claus in a patriotic fashion.

I love vintage holiday images. They make life back in the day look simple, serene, and filled with beauty. Of course, I know that life back in the day was much harder in some ways than it is today. But it was also easier in some ways than it is today. For whatever reason, vintage images evoke a feeling of calm and optimism in me.

Although I have a small collection of Santas, it doesn't include any patriotic examples. Santa as an American patriot has been around for more than 100 years. The earliest reference I could find was a January 3, 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly in which Thomas Nast depicted Santa in a patriotic stars and stripes design in a political cartoon entitled "Santa Claus in Camp". (Image from http://www.santasuitexpress.com/santa-claus-history.html )

Over the years Santa has appeared as an American patriot in postcards, posters, Christmas cards, figurines, and Christmas stockings. I have a counted cross-stitch pattern of Santa decked out in red, white, & blue regalia delivering toys. I haven't stitched it yet, but I'm planning to; it is a gorgeous pattern.


Check out some of the vintage images of Patriotic Santa that I found. All images are courtesy of Pinterest unless otherwise indicated.

Christmas in July: Santa

Happy 4th of July! Today our country is celebrating its 237th birthday.

In honor of the USA, I thought we'd explore patriotism and Santa. As you know, Santa is much older than America. According to http://christmas.whipnet.net/santa/ Santa stopped counting his age at his 550th birthday! Here are some images that I came across that highlight Santa's USA patriotism. Of course, Santa is a citizen of the world, so his patriotism extends to all countries on the planet.


http://www.reasonstobelieve.com

http://www.reasonstobelieve.com



Pinterest


Pinterest


Pinterest


Pinterest


http://www.sundryshop.com


http://www.countryporch.com


Pinterest

Santa Claus!

Katie works for an organization that contracts with CPS to run 20 group homes here in the Valley of the Sun. Individuals, small groups, and businesses adopt the houses at Christmas to provide gifts for the kids. Yesterday, a business that adopted two houses brought Santa Claus in to hand out the gifts to the kids. Katie invited us to come so she could get photos of her kids with Santa.

I'll tell you the truth. I had tears in my eyes almost the whole time we were there. It was fun and the kids were thrilled with Santa and the gifts. But it was impossible for me to not think of what their lives have been like and the challenges they have faced. It just makes me want to gather them all up, take them home, and provide for them. I am so thankful for the men and women who parent these group homes. For the administrators who manage the homes. They LOVE these kids!

I'm not publishing the photos I took of the event. These kids need their privacy. But I can publish the photo of Sunny and Thunder on Santa's lap.

The Santas

I don't collect Santa decor, but since he is a part of Christmas, I do have several that I have acquired over the years. At our house, we believe that Santa knows the true reason for Christmas is the birth of Jesus our Savior. When the kids were little, my mom used to write them letters from Santa Claus. He always reminded them that we were really celebrating Jesus' birthday!

I made the x-stitch in 2003

I've purchased the ornaments in the last three years

Dan painted these little Santas

Dan painted the large Santa and the little ones

The rocking horse Santa plays "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

The Santa with reindeers candles were a gift from Dan's sister

Mr & Mrs Claus dance to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

I stitched "I Still Believe" in 2004

The Santa plate is crystal and is a treasure from the Goodwill store

More of Dan's artistic creations

Dan painted this Santa on a Polar Bear

Hallmark Christmas countdown ornament

My Santa night light