Santa Came to Town!

Every year Santa visits our house on a fire engine the week before Christmas. I get as excited as the kids. In fact, all the adults I know get as excited as the kids! We text one another when we see a glimpse or think they're nearing our street. We huddle up on the curb waiting and watching and analyzing.

The sound of the sirens in the distance for an hour, while we wait anxiously for them to come closer, gives us a thrill. This year I knew they were due to visit us around 4 p.m. but forgot and was saying goodbye to Lilly, Ella, and Andy as they headed off to gymnastics when we heard the familiar sirens. Lilly yelled, "Santa's coming!" and it dawned on me that indeed he was on his way.

Needless to say, we skipped gymnastics, bundled up, and readied ourselves for the long and exciting wait.
*I'm not sure why Andy looks so creepy here...

Ella was excited though she wasn't sure why! Last year she was traumatized and I wasn't sure how she'd handle the noise, lights, and Santa.

Luke even got in on the action. He waited until the truck was on our street and then he wailed. It was sooo loud.

Waiting!

Finally, the moment arrives. It's dramatic. It's pitch black out and the shimmering lights and deafening sirens come crawling down the street toward us.

The kids stand in awe and jump with excitement.

Ella was mesmorized.

Awe...

He's here!

Hi Santa!!!

A firefighter jumps off the truck and hands out candy canes to all the kids.

Ella was in her glory.

I love this picture. Lilly and Jonathan are pumped that they have their candy cane and Ella is still standing in awe and giving a half-wave.

Bye Santa! We'll see you soon!