As I sit here reflecting on the adventures of this past Saturday it occurs to me that I don’t really remember ever going out with my family to visit Santa as a kid. At least not in a Christmas Story sort of way. He would usually visit one of our many family or ward parties so there was never much need to venture out to locate him at the local mall. I don’t remember it being a big deal to me, but it just wasn’t a priority for our family. However, I do vividly remember one particular year when he stopped by the Haymond family party. We were at my great grandpa Creed’s house (this Creed Haymond) involved in our party activities when a noise on the roof halted all partying. My cousins and I all looked to the ceiling in unison as we actually heard him land his sleigh on the roof. I was probably only 5 or 6 at the time, but I remember hearing the hooves clatter across the the roof as my cousins and I all grew increasingly excited. That’s all I really remember about the event, but it kinda makes me wish that there was a way to maintain some of that youthful innocence. The excitement of a magical moment like that is difficult to reproduce at age 30.

Anyway, in an effort to provide the girls with an opportunity to share their Christmas desires with the man in red, we visited Fashion Place Mall Saturday afternoon. Truth be told, the location we picked was only because there was a store I needed to visit there, but it all worked out. As we headed over to get in the “Santa line”, it became apparent that Santa has modernized along with the rest of society. Instead of having to stand in an impossibly long line full of cranky kids, Emily was handed a restaurant pager and was told that she would be “buzzed” when Santa was ready for us. It actually worked out quite well. Once we were buzzed, Santa was very accommodating and let us get a nice picture with all 4 kids. After that, Hailey and Mallory both proceeded to tell Santa everything that they expected to be delivered Christmas night. I guess we’ll have to see if he comes through.

A few weeks ago Hailey was awarded with the Principal Pride Award at school and I’m just finally getting around to posting about it now. This is an award given to kids at her school who are extra good or helpful and as you can see from the pics below, Hailey received hers for “always being cheerful and willing to help wherever she is needed”. We’re super proud of her and we just hope she keeps it up.

Good job Hailey!!

Hailey finally lost her last front tooth on Thursday of this week making the classic Christmas song a bit insufficient. She now needs two times the amount of front teeth specified by the song. She doesn’t mind though. Each tooth represents another visit from the tooth fairy and more change for her piggy bank. Unfortunately though, the tooth fairy didn’t make it Thursday night. Emily and I both fell asleep expecting that she would arrive, but when Emily went in to get Hailey up Friday morning for school she quickly discovered that the tooth fairy hadn’t come by. We tried to explain that she had probably been delayed, but Hailey wasn’t very comforted. Luckily though, the tooth fairy did come by Friday night and left a note to explain her absence the previous evening. She was apparently home in bed with the “fairy flu” and she left Hailey a little extra prize to make up for the delay. Hailey was quite excited about receiving the note and the prize so everything was better after that. Thank goodness.

I got home from work today and Emily immediately wanted to show me the twins new trick. I wasn’t sure what this new trick was going to be, but I agreed to watch. So Emily proceeded to lay out a blanket on the floor and lay the twins down on their tummies. Up to now this would have resulted in two very cranky babies, but I guess today was the day that they figured out that they can hold their heads up. Well… Jack at least. Annie was still a bit ticked off about the whole thing which is why she didn’t get her picture taken (she was too busy crying after having smashed her nose on the floor).

We’re getting in the holiday spirit around our house. Especially the kids…

Check em out here!