A List for Santa

This was the first year that Charlotte really made a list for Santa.  So I thought that I would like to remember what her list included each year.  I found a DIY ornament from MPix that I created a template for and put the picture of Charlotte and Santa on it along with her list.  I hope to make one of these for each of the kids each year (once James can make a list, of course)!  I love that it includes a picture of them with Santa as well as what they wanted.

Since I put together a template I thought I'd share it with you in case you want to make one of these yourself.  But I can't figure out how to link the photoshop file so that you can download it.  So, if you're interested in the .psd file, send me an email at talesofapeanut (at) gmail dot com and I'll email it to you.  If you just want the .jpg file, feel free to download it below.  And, if anyone knows how to offer free downloads, please clue me in!  I've got some fun things that I want to share and want to know how to do them correctly!

Download Template with Year 2012

Download Template without Year

North Pole Bound

Yet another family tradition is our trip to see Santa every year.  There is a great display in North Alabama that includes an entire village and Charlotte has been talking about going to Santa's Village for months!  The night that we planned on going it ended up sprinkling but the temperature was mild so it turned out perfect.  It poured while we waited (inside) to see Santa and there was next to no one there!

As soon as we got in Charlotte wanted to see the reindeer.  She was a little disappointed when we told her before we got there that Rudolph wouldn't be there, but she decided that his friends Dasher and Dancer were there and told them to tell Rudolph hi for her.

James saw Char Char for the first time while we were waiting to see Santa and as soon as he saw him he started reaching for him!

Jason, Charlotte, and I ran up to see Santa's bedroom.  Charlotte thought it was pretty neat to see his bed and room!

We weren't sure how Charlotte was going to do with Santa but she had been talking about meeting him for weeks so we were hopeful that she would at least talk to him.  On our way out the door she made us go back and get her white gloves so that she could have gloves like Santa's.  Thank goodness he still on his white gloves even though he was in his "warm weather" Santa suit!  Charlotte immediately showed Santa how their gloves matched and Santa was quite impressed!

Then, the next thing I knew, she was hopping up on the big guy's lap!  She didn't hesitate at all and told him all about what she wants for Christmas!

 Of course, the visit wouldn't be complete without tears of some kind.  In this case they were big crocodile ones from James!

Santa got one last hug from our girl though before we told him Merry Christmas!

We explored the Village and tried to get some group shots after visiting with Santa.  Charlotte loved watching the penguins, trains, and walking through the maze with Daddy!

We then went in to officially write Charlotte's letter to Santa.  She dictated while Daddy wrote and her list continued to stay the same.  She hasn't wavered on what she wants at all!

The traditional snowmen pictures were saved for the end before we left Santa's Village.  We can't wait to visit with him again next year!

Santa's Village: 2011, 2010, 2009

Trimming the Tree

We have a tradition that every year the first ornament that is hung on our tree is the ornament with our Christmas card picture on it.  I've gotten ornaments from Exposures with our picture for every year since we got  married and I love seeing how our family has changed on our tree.  Eventually, I plan to have these ornaments on their own tree, but for now they just get put on our main one.

First ornament hanging from years past: 2011, 2010, 2009

Our friend Frisbee

This year, Santa sent one of his elves to our house to help us celebrate Christmas.  Charlotte pronounced his name to be Frisbee and he kept us occupied through the month of December!  He came to our house on December 1st and would put himself in a different spot in our house every morning when he came back from hanging out with Santa! We were sad to see him go on Christmas Eve but enjoyed him while he was here!

In the wreath on the front door with a welcome letter

Repelling down the light fixture in the kitchen

Coloring a Christmas picture

Working out on James' activity gym

Just relaxing in Charlotte's kitchen

Reading Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear

In Charlotte's stocking

In the shutters in the kitchen

In the Christmas tree!

Riding a camel in the nativity

Relaxing in Mommy and Daddy's bed

In the Advent calendar

Watching over the kitchen from the small Christmas tree

Hugging a sparkly reindeer

Diving for M&M's

Doing Charlotte's puzzle ALL WRONG!

Reading the story of Jesus' birth in Charlotte's Bible

Eating cinnamon chips and making a MESS!

Watching over the den on top of the tv

Looking at all of the Christmas cards

On Charlotte's new soap dispenser

Putting on Charlotte's shoes

Waving to Charlotte outside of her room

In the wreath over the mantle with a goodbye letter -- waiting to ride back for the year with Santa on his sleigh!