Here Comes Santa Clause

We had our annual branch Christmas party tonight. Santa Clause was there and we

followed our Russell family tradition - atleast one Russell cried! I know I've posted a lot of pictures but I liked them all!

First is Anna Elise - she has always cried or refused to sit on his lap but this year she surprised everyone and at the last minute decided to sit on his lap! She even responded to him when he asked her name! She is growing up! She wasn't real happy about being on his lap but did cooperate very well and loved her present. (She had a pretty ponytail with a ribbon in her hair and it kept falling out - I just wanted everyone to know that I did fix her hair!)

Calvin has never had a problem with Santa or with anyone for that matter. He climbed right up on his lap and talked to him and posed for his picture.

Then there is Madeline. You have to laugh at the procession of pictures.

At home before we left

in line waiting for Santa Clause

and then it hits her,

going to Santa

trying to get away from Santa

and then trying to find Daddy to save her
She did manage to say goodbye to Santa through her tears and seemed confused by the present. So classic for her age!

After the branch party we made a quick detour to drive by the 'Christmas house'. Every year these people put up 100's of inflatable Christmas decorations. They are in their yard, on their roof, on their shed, in the trees, everywhere. It's crazy. The kids LOVE it. There are several crazy houses that we go look at, but this house is their favorite and really close to our neighborhood. This is part of their back yard and most of the side yard. You can't see the other half of the backyard or their front yard. They have a huge corner lot and it's stuffed full of these things.