Christmas Traditions

Growing up, my dad had established a Christmas Tradition where each year my sister and I would have our picture taken with Santa. To this day, my dad possesses this special, doberman-guarded photo album which preciously holds 31 years of priceless moments in time on Santa's lap. The album is truly special. Some pictures are breathtakingly cute- Kasey and I, ages 2 and 4, dressed in matching dresses with matching tights and hair bows, bubbling with excitement to be able to meet and slobber all over Santa. While some are painfully awkward -the teenage years- bucked teeth (sorry, Kasey) braces, puffy bangs, perms, leg warmers, ill-fitting Esprit outfits, worn out Reebok high tops, the two of us puberty stricken girls spilling off Santa's delicate knees with Santa not knowing where to place his hands on us in fear of having a child molestation suit slapped on him by my parents, etc.

The point is this, I love this tradition and always thought as a young gal that when I had children of my own, I would keep the tradition alive and have a delightful album with my beautiful offspring.

It sounds so great in theory, but so far, this is my reality.

Year #1: 2005

From left to right:
1. Kasey looks 20 times the size she is in real life and is bigger than Santa.
2. Riley looks, well, you be the judge.
3. Although you cannot tell from the photo, Ryan is Kasey's husband, not mine.
4. It looks as though my hair is permed and my baby is a plastic, fake one that I bought at a garage sale.
5. Jackson looks as though he knows no one in the picture and is scarred to death.
6. I'm sure there was a more flattering way Kasey and I could have placed our hands to showcase our babies.
7. I am not comfortable with Santa's creepy hand placement on Jackson's leg and his overly rosy-flushed cheeks.

"Maybe next year the kids will be older and the picture will be better."

Year #2: 2006

Olive was screaming and crying at first glance of this gentle giant in red. Although not yet mobile, she couldn't get off his lap fast enough. In fact, this is the first time she crawled/jumped/pooped her pants from fear.

"Maybe next year Olive will be older and the picture will be better."

Year #3: 2007


"Maybe next year Olive will be older and the picture will be better."