We LOVE Santa!!!

Okay, I don't know how many of you know about the Santa at Northpark Mall in Dallas, but he really is the best!!! Just to give you an idea, we got our number to see him yesterday at 11:30 in the morning, and we actually got to see him last night at about 7:00. Now, I know that sounds crazy - well, it is, I guess - but we've seen this Santa every year since we've been in Texas, so it's totally tradition. Plus, Laney is really into spotting "fakes", and she knows if there really is a Santa, this has to be him. I mean, he does story time with the kids (I mean great stories), he looks JUST right, he's so great with the kids... Anyway, yesterday after we got our number, we actually ate lunch at the mall, did a little shopping, drove home (abt. 30 or 40 min.) to Rockwall, rested, drove back to the mall, shopped a little, saw Santa, ate dinner at the mall, and drove home. It was crazy - but totally worth it to see Laney and Miller's faces as they climbed onto Santa's lap. They both had their lists written out for him. Laney wrote hers and Miller dictated his to Laney for her to take down for him. We gave Hadley to Santa to hold after Lane and Mil were situated and they got their picture made. Then he handed Had back to us and visited with Lane and Mil. Laney went first reading her list very carefully to Santa as she wrapped her arm around his neck. So darling. And then big man was up. As you'll see in the last photo, he took his finger and guided it along the page slowly as he "read" his list, too. He stumbled a bit and mixed a few things up, but Santa chimed in to help him read. All the while, Laney is cracking up at how cute her brother is trying to read his list like she did. For a moment, there was brother/sister bliss - no arguing or yelling at one another, no aggravating or patronizing, no pushing or tripping... just peace, there on Santa's lap!