Thursday, December 9, 2010

'tis the Season

Storyboard school holiday performance 2010

'You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town!'

~Haven Gillespie

Santa green brush WEB
Well we are fully into the festive spirit of the season.
It started last Friday with Grace's school Holiday performance. (top pictures)
Storyboard elf santa

And on Monday I took Grace and Will to see Santa...for the first time!
Yes, I said the first time.
Both have been more than a bit reluctant to sit on Santa's lap in the past, so I didn't push it.

This year they asked if we could go.
Their visit and little conference went extremely well.
They spoke to him briefly and then Will had a couple of requests for the man in the red suit.
First, he asked him to say "Ho, Ho, Ho." (of course Santa did very loudly)
And second Will asked him to sing a song.
Santa sang Jingle Bells beautifully (and he had a wonderful singing voice).

I can pretty much guarantee we'll be back to visit next year,
as this year was a huge hit.
One of the best parts for me was we were first in line and I got to take as many pictures
as I desired! We obviously timed it right.

On Saturday Grace dances in her first performance.
Yesterday I was able to watch some of the rehearsal and got teary,
 so I can imagine how I'll be seeing her in costume in the show.
This mamma cries at the drop of a hat,
and especially when my daughter steps out of her comfort zone like this.
It's a benefit for a local charity.

Happy Holidays!

18 kind words:

Mei Mei s and Mayhem said...

Wow, what a great Santa!!! Dont know many that would do that, our last year Santa was very grumpy. He just took the picture and on to the next in line!!

Great shots and amazing lighting!! What great memories.

Unknown said...

That Santa looked just like the 'real' Santa ;) Love the photos! Great Christmas memories!

Gail said...

He was a very kind Santa. My kids loved him!!!

carolinagirl said...

My boys are refusing a Santa visit this year. Sigh!

Love your decorations!

j-chin said...

Everytime I looked at your pictures, I just simply stared in admiration. I admire your photo taking skill and the type of cameras you own, I admire your adorable children and their willingness to let you snap and snap pictures of them, I admire your beautifully decorated house and a home filled with warmth and love ... I can go on and on.

But most of all, I admire you, simply because of your overflowing LOVE, for God, for lives, for the world. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

Colleen said...

Ohhh I just LOVE Santa pictures!!!! These are wonderful! You know I can not find my "elf" from our move! I have the book but have been searching for him and having no luck. He seems to have run away! Can't make myself go out and buy another in hopes he'll show up!

Everything Beautiful Shay said...

Such beautiful children and a gorgeous Santa! Your images are breath taking as always. :) Merry Christmas to you all!!!
blessings!

Kayce said...

I just love that picture of the two of them on Santa's lap!!! I can only imagine the conversation going on between Will and Santa at that moment. Grace looks like she's thinking...LOOK at ME! I'm sitting on Santa's lap...holy cow! :) Love it!!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

oh Gail, how adorable! Will looks so taken with it all. Miss Grace is as beautiful as ever!

I love and cherish my JOY banner! Every time I look at it I think of you!

Can't wait to hear all about the dance recital. Enjoy it. You are such a sweet Mommy!

Lea
xo

Casey said...

How cute!! Liam is refusing to go to Santa anymore. weep.

They look adorable!

China Dreams said...

You're so lucky; our son's school has no holiday program, even though his older siblings (and I) had one at the same school every year.

Courtney said...

Great pictures with Santa. Love Will's request for Santa.

Kim said...

LOVE the photos..
as always Grace takes my breath away..
Will looking at Santa is priceless...
Have a great weekend.
Hugz..

Love Letters To China said...

Love these!!! I have yet to bring my kiddos to visit Santa. I'm just a bit creeped out by the whole sitting on Santa's lap thing. :-) Call me crazy, I know. Looks like your Santa was positioned in just the right spot for great lighting. These pictures look awesome.

Natalie and Liam are going to be performing next week in their school performances. I can't wait! It's always one of the highlights of the Christmas season for me. Looks like Grace had a wonderful time.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Ours is already packed tight with loads of things to do. I just want it to slow down for just a little bit. ;-)

Hugs,
Grace

Jboo said...

Sweet photos and activities! That recital would make me teary too! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Janet

Sharon said...

Gail, those shots couldn';t be more beautiful;!! And the posts below too, boy are you going to be loving those even more in 10 years!! Such pretty children too.

Anonymous said...

That has to be one the best Santa pictures I've seen! Perfect, perfect, perfect!!!!

3 Peanuts said...

These are BEAUTIFUL. I have to ask you Gail...how did you have so much light? Did you use your external flash for these? I might need one for Christmas.

 
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