Breakfast w/ Santa, and Getting the Tree

This weekend was a superb way to get into the holiday spirit -- Saturday was Breakfast With Santa at the church and after that, we headed up north to get our tree.

The boys got up nice and early on Saturday and while Katie headed out to the festivities early to volunteer, I made sure we all got ready on time. Scratch that -- I made sure we 'tried' to get ready on time, but Jackson didn't want to wear what Katie had set out for him, so we had a bit of a tug-o-war on that, until I just decided that close enough was good enough, and we compromised.

By the time we got to the party, things were in full swing. We decorated our stash bags first, then hit the breakfast line for some chocolate muffins, pancakes and breakfast tacos. This was the first time the boys had really eaten breakfast tacos, and they loved them! Porter ate two, and Jackson ate one, plus the rest of his pancakes. The boys didn't want to actually visit with Santa, but they kept standing up and looking over where he was, pointing, and talking about what they would do later in the week when they actually do visit with him.

After that, we went to all the craft stations -- we made Reindeer food; jingle bell necklaces; angel halo hats; and got an angel ornament kit to take home to do. The stations were crowded, but we all had a blast.

When we were finished there, Katie and I decided that since it might rain on Sunday, and since it was pretty nice weather (although overcast) we should head out to the Christmas Tree Farm on Saturday, so we did. We got up there right around noon and the boys wanted to head straight to the train ride for a few trips around the farm before picking out the tree. Once they were done, we hopped on the tractor-trailer for a hay ride out to where the trees were. The boys ran all around the field looking for yellow or orange tagged trees (the size we needed) and we finally found one that looked just right. Jackson and Porter helped me cut it down, and we had it pulled around to the front while we went through the barn and saw the ponies, rabbits, chickens, turkeys and goats.

All in all, it was a great time. They had even more things to do this year -- they added a nicer concession stand (we had some sausage on a stick) and an exotic animal petting zoo with camels, a zebra, monkeys and a kangaroo!

That afternoon we put the tree up and decorated it from top to bottom -- we have so many ornaments, we didn't need to (couldn't really) put any ribbons or bows on, and the tree looks fantastic. I think it is the nicest we've had in as long as I can remember --very pretty.

We took our family photo that afternoon, too, and I ordered enough for all the cards we're sending. They should come in sometime this week, and Katie has already addressed the cards, so we're good to go.

Sunday morning, we got up and I took the boys to the SJHR Motorcycle Club Toy Ride -- even though I didn't ride, I have always thought it important to take presents out for the kids at the boys/girls ranch. We talked to the boys about why we were taking presents, and they really understood what it means to share the good things we have in our life. We also got to see TONS of motorcycles! The boys loved it, and they're all ready to get their own motorcycles when they grow up! They also are ready for Dad to get the Speed Triple fixed and rideable again...

In all, a fantastic weekend -- just the thing to put me in the mood for the season. I had a great time with Katie and the boys the past few days, and it just drives home the point of how lucky I am.

This week: in the Houston office today for a bit, then off to Dallas through Thursday. Holiday office parties on Friday.