You've come a Long way, baby

It is very nice for Mommy and Daddy that Larkin believes in Santa Claus. As far as she is concerned, he's the one who brings the presents on Christmas morning, and she had better be good to get a Santa visit.

Especially the few days leading up to Christmas, she was an angel - she listened, held my hand when we were walking to the car and all around followed directions and behaved herself.

She also instructed Layne to do the same: "Be nice, Layne! So Santa will come."

If only the promise of Santa worked year-round.

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Christmas was such a nice time with Sadie and Poppi and other family.

We opened gifts with Aunt Lala, Uncle Brian and James on Christmas Eve.  





Then on Christmas afternoon Matt's aunts and uncles Mary Martha, Bill, John and Paula came over for a wonderful lunch.

When Sadie was setting the table, Larkin insisted she have a place set (although we thought she'd already have eaten and would be napping at lunchtime) and sure enough, she enjoyed lunch with her family.

The sweetest moment was when we were all sitting at the table, and she looked around and said, "We're all sitting here together!"

She was so happy!

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Sadie and Poppi's house is beautifully decorated for the holidays, and Sara has special dishes and other kitchenware just for Christmastime.

Larkin was looking at the matching ceramic Santa salt-and-pepper shakers.

Sadie was tickled when Larkin asked her to move Santa's beard so she could see his mouth.

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Layne was a little fearful of the Santas on the fireplace, particularly the one that moved and walked and rang a bell.



She warmed up though.





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On Christmas morning, Matt and I were awakened by Larkin and Sadie in our room and Larkin's sweet voice saying, "Santa come, Mommy?" Layne woke up, too, and we all went into the living room.

Santa had come, indeed.

I think this was a great Daddy moment for Matt, a former Santa super-believer.









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Larkin left cookies and milk for Santa, and she was very excited when she saw that he drank all the milk and took a bite out of the cookie.

When I was putting her to bed that night, her head on my shoulder, singing her to sleep as part of our normal routine, she lifted her head and whispered, "Santa took bite cookie" and put her head back down.





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Merry Christmas from Larkin and Layne!