Santa Claus came to town!

The Saturday night before Christmas, Santa Claus himself made one more stop to talk to all the good little boys and girls.  We were so happy that he chose to visit at Gigi and Boom's house!

Despite being sick as a dog, little Lila Lou was all smiles because she was so excited to see the big guy.

Before he got there, the kids got to decorate crafts and write letters to Santa.

I loved it that my closest childhood friend, Amanda, got to be there with her whole family. 

Lila's friend, Brooklynn, brought her parents and sister to our shindig...

and my friends, Emily, Hayley and Libby were all there, too.

Just a few hours before the party started, my Aunt Glenda and cousin Leslie arrived from California.  Yay!  We were so happy to have them here for Christmas.

Back in the day, it was us 4 at the Santa Claus parties, sitting on his knee and telling him all the things we wanted for Christmas!  It was really cool to have my childhood friends at the party.  Love y'all.

Meanwhile, my mischievious son was busy running like a wild man outside.  He had a posse of about 5 boys and they were all over the place--I think he could have claimed temporary insanity that night because he was so pumped up.

Back inside, lots of the little kids were playing and eating in the media room where we had set up tables just for them.  It was a much calmer scene!

Right before we went to look for Santa Claus, all the kids put on their antlers.  They were so precious.

We walked outside and sang Christmas Carols until we saw the lights on a firetruck coming down the street.  And guess who was riding shotgun in it!

You got it!  Santa stepped on out and said hello to all the kiddos.

He got lots of hugs and warm greetings from them...

and then we invited him inside to come and chat.

All the kids gathered around him and got to ask him questions and just talk with him for a bit.

This was as close as Lila got to him.  She talked a big game, but when it came down to it she said, "Mommy, you sit on his lap and I'll sit on your lap."

Jackson wasn't detered in the least, though.  Afterall, he and Santa are old friends.  Santa even told him that he'd been talking to Johnny, our Elf.  Very cool.

Maddie hopped on his lap after Jackson was done and surprised us all when she asked for Star Wars Angry Birds.  What in the world is that?!  A curveball, my friend, is the answer:)

Somehow we managed to find everyone for a quick pic with Santa.  Lila still passed on the chance to sit on his lap. She did let me hold her near him, though, which is an improvement from last year.  Baby steps.

 

The whole Raines/Hays/Bell crew!

After everyone had a chance to sit on his knee, it was time for Santa to head back to the North Pole.  Afterall, he had to make sure that all of his elves had the toys ready to rock and roll.

The party continued upstairs, with fierce games of foosball for the little guys...

and drinks and good laughs for the big guys. 

We had a wonderful time with so many of our good friends.  We missed those of you who weren't able to make it, but were grateful for those who were there.  It really is my favorite party of the year. 
The magic of Christmas is just unbeatable.