One family party down...and guess who stopped by?!?

Yesterday was our Christmas celebration with my dad's side of the family, and guess who made a stop to see the kids?! Santa, of course!! They couldn't believe it...it was THE REAL SANTA! (Abbie told me this atleast 6 times while he was there!) I couldn't help but get a little emotional watching the kids as they heard Santa's bells and his "Ho! Ho! Ho!" as he came down the stairs into the room...their eyes were wide with wonder and their hearts were pounding with excitement...they weren't quite sure what to do, afterall...it was SANTA!

These are some of their faces when they saw Santa walk into the room :)
Taylor wasn't so sure of Santa at first...

Holly wasn't either, but she warmed right up to him!
Peter was star struck!Abbie couldn't wait to whisper in his ear :)
Taylor got excited watching the other kids sit on Santa's lap, and she danced a little jig in the middle of the room!
Jake knew what he wanted for Christmas and he made sure to tell Santa!
Kendyl loved Santa...how sweet is she?!
Her sister Karli wasn't quite as enthused by him :)
We talked Taylor into sitting on his lap too...
...but she certainly wasn't very impressed...even after he gave her a present!
Kaz, Kristin (my cousin), Kendyl, Kyle and Karli
Chad, Karena (and baby!) and Jake
Grandma took some coaxing, but I think she looks pretty cozy there on Santa's lap!
Grandma, all her grandkids and great-grandkids
My mom and dad with their grandkids :)
The outlaws! {the married-ins :)}
Merry Christmas! :)

*The kids were also wondering why Santa departed in a minivan instead of his sleigh... Because reindeer can only fly on Christmas Eve of course! "Oh, yah!!" :)