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Thursday, December 10, 2020

Santa Visit 2020

Tuesday night we had a SURPRISE visitor show up at our house!



The kids knew a few friends from school and their cousins were coming over for cookie and cocoa but they didn't know that The Big Guy would be joining them (well... Luke knew but Mason and G didn't).

When we got home from school I got busy setting things up outside and told them that if they got dressed in "real pants" (not nike shorts) without whining they could have some iPad time on the couch (normally a privilege reserved for after homework so they were pumped!)

This next picture is TOO GOOD! Griffin's happy little half smile with Mason's SHOCK is cracking me up!


GO FROGS!!!



Y'all!!! Where did my BABY go?!?!?!


The outfit planning wasn't intentional but LOOK at what a difference 6 years makes!


She couldn't believe it!


Santa posed this one and I about died :)  THE BEST!


Even Rosie got to meet him!  #nicelist 


Santa told stories...


... told them all about the reindeer...


... talked about coal (and how if a person gets coal it doesn't mean they're bad... it means that just like coal they're made of something really special on the inside but just have to work hard to get to it)...


... and shared his Santa-tizer :)  



This kid should get an award for how well he helps keep the magic going for his siblings!






He showed the kids his nice list...



... and then a few of G's friends and their cousins started showing up!

Y'all.  LOOK AT ALL THOSE CUTE COUSINS!!!



A few of G's girlfriends from her class were able to come as well and the pure JOY that this sweet little group radiates is too much fun!  (One of their moms brought her camera and got these pics - so grateful!)




THE REAL DEAL!


Spoiler alert - all these girls were on the nice list!


At this point in the evening Santa brought out his map of the north pole... top secret stuff :) 


He unveiled it and the reactions were priceless!



We enjoyed some hot cocoa and cookies to decorate...





and all oohed and aaahed over the twins with Santa :) 


Davis walked right up to him - so sweet!


When it was time for him to go he asked Griffin to hold the door of Santa's Alternative Automotive Buggy (SAAB for short) and they exchanged snow flurries (like when you to knuckles and blow it up - hahaha) and he was off to the North Pole!


I can't even begin to talk about what a fun and special time this was.  I'm not sure how many more years we have of kids who "believe" so you better believe we're going to make the most of them while we do. 

Santa was seriously above and beyond anything I could have hoped for - he was so good with the kids, was incredibly entertaining and Luke said that "he might start believing again" ;) because he was so believable.  He fielded dozens of questions without missing a beat (did you know Santa has a KEY that lets him in the front doors of houses that don't have chimneys and keeps pets sleeping so they don't bark... in fact he had that key with him to show!) and even explained that not all kids have elves come and hang out during December because some parents don't request them and other elves are so good at hiding you'll never see them!   He had a secret map of the north pole, had photos of the reindeer, talked about how he got here from the North Pole and the list just goes on and on.  Seriously amazing.

If you ever get a chance to have Santa make a house call do it!

PS - I know that these kinds of posts can be difficult given how different things look in various parts of the country right now. We follow the guidelines as established and required by our local governance authority as well as by individual businesses (like Santa!).  

80 comments :

  1. I LOVE this SO much!!!! What a magical time!!! I would LOVE to do this with my three kiddos!!!! Where did you find Rosie's collar and the hot chocolate Snoopy cups?

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    1. Thank you! Rosie’s collar is by AMOR and I found the cups at Homegoods.

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  2. This is the best thing I’ve seen all season! Seriously brought tears to my eye to see the kids’ faces. ♥️ What a special memory for them! I have an 18 year old and a 10 year old so I know our days of believing are numbered here...enjoy every minute!
    And also, why does Luke look like a young man?! What a handsome kid he has become! Merry Christmas!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jen! I feel like he’s grown up A TON this year!

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  3. I hope Santa doesn’t get COVID before the big day.

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    1. Santa already had covid but I’m sure he appreciates your concern.

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    2. Wow. Just. Wow. I know someone Santa's age that had COVID back in March and again in October. He didn't make it the 2nd time. This post is completely tone deaf to what the majority of Americans are going through. I get that you can do what you want given that "We follow the guidelines as established and required by our local governance authority as well as by individual businesses (like Santa!)", but maybe don't post about it.

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    3. I love that the kids got experience this! It is truly wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!!

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    4. Thank you for sharing! And ignore the Bah Humbugs. Santa is old enough to make his own decisions about which children he'd like to visit.

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  4. Loved this! Wish we lived close, my 3 year old granddaughter would love this! You are so creative. Such a cute idea to have cookies and drinks. Side note, we are related to Erica. My husband is an uncle to Erica's biological dad. Don't think we have seen her though, since she and Tab married.

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  5. Love this so much! So sweet and so fun! Memories to treasure for sure!

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  6. These pictures are beautiful! I hope you frame some of them. Our sons are all grown now, ages 21,20 and twins that are 17- and those years that they believed in Santa were PURE MAGIC. I loved all the magic of Santa and though I do sometimes miss their childlike innocence, I also love where they all are right now in life. I cherish the memories that are old and have fun with them making memories that are new. I loved this post- when did Luke grow up so much?? I love the picture of him back to back with Santa. Happy Thursday!

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    1. I feel the same way! Some days I miss the “baby/toddler” days but they’re so much fun right now I wouldn’t trade it!

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  7. Did you have the talk with Luke and Mason about Santa or did they figure it out and you confirmed it.. love to hear thoughts on this when kids are on the cusp and ask questions.

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    1. We talked to luke about it a couple of years ago (if you google “momfessionals Santa talk” I did a whole post about it) and Mason still believes!

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  8. One simple comment...that is seriously the best looking Santa ever!!!��

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  9. Santa pictures make my heart so happy! Probably one of the things I look most forward to when I get to become a mom! And wow! Your kiddos have grown! Luke in that button down looks so so middle school 😉

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  10. WoW! That is one legit Santa! Super cool event!

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  11. Love this so much! And I sincerely hope people who want to judge about covid keep their negative comments to themselves. This is so special and magical and is such a precious memory for your kids in such a weird year. Good job mama! PS- do you just google to find a Santa who does house calls?

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    1. Yes!!! I want to know how you found Santa too! I agree.... people who don't agree with it, should keep the negativity to themselves!!!!

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  12. Mason really still believes? Wow good for you guys for keeping that afloat at his age!

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    1. He does! But lots of kids in his class do as well so that helps.

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  13. I love this so much! The magic in their eyes is priceless ♥️

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  14. Love that you share the holiday spirit! Love this post💕

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  15. Love that you share the holiday spirit! Love this post💕

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  16. Love that you share the holiday spirit! Love this post💕

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  17. Thank you so much for posting this!! Don't let some people's negativity stop you from sharing your joyful posts with the rest of us please!! This was such a magical day! Love your family!

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  18. I felt the Christmas spirit in these pictures! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  19. Love this!!! This is a wonderful, joy filled post...not tone deaf at all. Good for you for and Merry Christmas!!

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  20. Fabulous! Such great memories, and that Santa rocks! We did this with our girls and friends when the girls were little, and those are still among some of their favorite memories! The magic never dies!

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    1. I definitely think they’ll be talking about this for years!

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  21. Santa looks legit! The pictures you will have are treasures!

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  22. This is awesome and what a great memory for everyone. Thank you for sharing.

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  23. Where is your daughter's skirt from? I love the color.

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  24. I love this!! That is a very legit Santa and everything looked so magical! Thank you for sharing these special moments with us!

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  25. We can’t live in bubbles. Ignore the negativity.
    @MNMomma - Don’t share negativity. I hope you have a good day, and when you can’t have a good day - don’t ruin someone else’s!

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  26. We can’t live in bubbles. Ignore the negativity.
    @MNMomma - Don’t share negativity. I hope you have a good day, and when you can’t have a good day - don’t ruin someone else’s!

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  27. She is not tone deaf. We can not put our family in a bubble.
    MNMomma - I will never understand why some like to share an insane amount of negativity. Have a great day, and if you can’t have a good day then don’t ruin someone else’s.

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    1. See, this is where you lose me. You have [repeatedly] pointed out that my opinion and reaction to her response as negative and unwelcome. And I would 100% agree with you if this was her private family page and/or she didn’t monetize her family everyday via affiliate links and swipe ups. But she does do that, everyday. Her blog is a “business” and as a business owner, you should be open to feedback. I don’t know of any business owner who would/should speak to a client/customer/whatever, the way she snapped back at the original commenter. I responded to her less then tolerant comment with my own experience and truth. Two people can have two different views and they can both be the/their truth. Was my comment just as snarky as Andrea's? Probably. And two wrongs don’t definitely don't make a right, but my truth is that I was deeply offended by her snappy dismissal of a valid COVID concern. Did I tell her not to do it? Did I say she must live in a bubble? I absolutely did not as you can see in my comment. I just tried to point out how her some of there readers may be upset about her post and especially a dismissive comment like that. Some readers haven't been able to see or hug their parents since March. Many won't ever again. Can't help but feel as well that your [repeatedly] calling me negative and saying I am out to ruin someone's day is a bit ironic.

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    2. I didn’t snap back or dismiss anyone and my day definitely wasn’t ruined by anyone’s comment. I appreciate you both and hope y’all have a great rest of the week!

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  28. Beautiful post! That Santa is the best I have ever seen! The joy in the kids eyes is what it is all about. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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    1. I thought he was wonderful as well! Merry Christmas to you too, Denise!

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  29. What a sweet and special experience! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  30. I love this! How magical for your family!! We are an immune compromised house, so basically have done nothing since March. But my familys circumstances doesn't make me feel like your family shouldn't be able to do things like this. Thanks for sharing your familys memories so people like me can see them. Hoping next year will look more like this for our family too. Have a good day!

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    1. Ashley, thank you so much for your kind words. Praying for your family’s health and for a more “normal” Christmas season next year!

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  31. Great post! So glad all of these kids had such a magical experience!

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  32. I think this is the best Santa I have ever seen...what a special night and the magic in those sweet kiddos faces. Oh my word. So precious!

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  33. Love this so much! Thank you for sharing with your readers! What a magical evening!

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  34. Thank you for sharing joyful posts like these! We need them now more than ever. It inspires me to make unique memories for my family during the holidays, especially in the midst of these uncertain times. Merry Christmas!

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  35. It is fun to see the different experiences people have over the holidays. This definitely looked like a memory maker for sure. I live in Minnesota and things are just so different here right now. We are in a 4 week freeze. Meaning everything is closed down from schools to kid's activities to restaurants. It is just so hard over the holiday season. I think the negative comments from others come from a place of jealousy masked as concern. No one could ever say you would go against what is okay and safe in your community. Which means you are allowed to do these fun things, even if I and others cannot. Sadness, jealously, fear comes out for many as anger and sarcasm. Thank you for putting yourself out there and know that so many of us appreciate you.

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  36. That Santa is awesome! I loved the expressions on Griffin's face in several of the pictures. Such magic and awe. Thank you for sharing.

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  37. This is so sweet! That Santa looks awesome, and I love all the kids reactions. Priceless. And Luke, what a sweet older brother.

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  38. This is the best Santa experience I’ve ever seen, so magical!! Thank you for sharing!

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  39. That Santa is totally the real deal. So magical! Thanks for sharing!!

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  40. What a magical experience! That Santa is amazing!!

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  41. This post was awesome, just what we needed to see today :) The joy on G's face is priceless. My son is Luke's age and no longer believes, man that hurt when he told us he knows about Santa :( Thank you for making such wonderful, sweet memories for your kids and for us to enjoy also! I know putting yourself out there for the world to see is not always easy, and I appreciate it so much. Your blog is the first one I click on each morning. Starts my day out just right. Merry Christmas to your family :)

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