Santa Traditions - Old & New

Every year since my I was born, my sisters and I have gotten our picture taken with Santa. It is one of my most cherished Christmas traditions. As we grew up and got married, we made a deal that as soon as Erik and I had a child, the adults would not be in the picture and it would be just the "cousins". Erik and his fellow in-laws were so excited last year knowing they never had to do it again. I, on the other hand, was sad that I would no longer experience a much loved part of Christmas. An old tradition ended but a new one has begun, as I now get to start the tradition with my own daughter.

After 26 years of sitting on Santa's lap, I got a little teary eyed as I put my baby girl on his knee and walked to the side to cheer her on. She did a great job! We got so many smiles, the "elves" even said "you're hired!" :) It was a wonderful beginning to Claire's Santa tradition that she (and I) will cherish for the rest of her life.

(Photos taken over Thanksgiving weekend with Claire and her cousins.)