Santa Claus is coming to town!

I've been wanting to get the boys pictures done with Santa Claus... knowing Logan & Grady's dendancies for not liking the paparrazi I knew it was risky business. But, sometimes the photos of a red faced, snot bubble blowing kid, who is freaking out about being placed on some strange, bearded man's lap are just to comical to pass up!

After some searching about town, trying to locate the jolly fellow I got a text from a friend who said Santa had heard about my plight and was willing to set up a private meeting for my boys! What? A private meeting with the big guy himself? No fighting crowds or wondering the caliber of magic a Santa can bring in the back of a Dollar Store?! We were in! We quickly dressed the boys up and drove over to Tero Estates Winery up on the hill over looking vineyards & orchards. We snuck up the stairs and sure enough, there he was perched on a bar stool in the corner!

He called Hunter right over & they sat on the winding staircase at the entry so Hunter could put in his order of toys for the holiday.

His list included mainly video games & hopes of a new xbox kinect ("for mommy"- of course)

Next it was Logan's turn on ol' St. Nick's lap. He was hesitant at first but as soon as he realized Santa's pockets were full of candy canes he was eager to oblige. He hopped up and whispered something in his ear.

Last up was Grady, he's usually pretty good about having his photo taken, but this was his first Santa encounter so he was a little on edge about it. Of course, Santa had some tricks up his sleeve & knew just what to do to calm the little guy down.

So he instructed Daddy to hold Grady facing out front & had Jared back up slowly towards Santa so he couldn't see him. I had the camera at the ready & before Jared knew what had happened he was perched on Santa's knee himself... ha ha ha

But, as you can see, Santa knew what he was talking about! A candy cane & a smile from little Grady!

I love this little sideways glance.

Santa gathered the boys around in a huddle & asked them if they knew how to tell Santa apart from the others. (He explained that sometimes he was just too busy to be everywhere at once, but you always knew the "real" Santa by asking him to show you his jingle bells.) The real Santa has a bag full of bells that have fallen off the reindeer sleigh and after he has visited at Christmas you should look for his bell, in case they fall off in route.

One last photo of the whole family together with Santa Claus.

Thanks, Santa for the special meeting!