Yesterday morning we went with Grandma Wendy and Grandpa Russ and had a special breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Well, they didn’t actually sit at our table per se, but we had a delicious breakfast buffet at the Grand America while Santa and Mrs. Claus visited each table. They were fabulous. 
It was so much fun to see the kids’ faces light up with excitement. Brandon even got picked to be Rudolph and walked around with Santa and Mrs. Claus while everyone sang. He was a tiny bit embarrassed but he did fine.
The buffet was great because most of it was at the perfect level for all of the kids, with lots of their favorite foods like mini pancakes and french toast. Even chicken fingers and dip (for breakfast?!?) and hot chocolate and fruit kabobs and treats….so good.
Annie was struggling with wanting to take pictures, thus we don’t have many of her during the breakfast portion! She’s been doing the weirdest faces every time I try to take a picture. Pretty funny.
After breakfast we went and had pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus (forgive the not-so-great scans of the prints they gave us). Brandon made friends with the photographer and was fascinated by his whole setup.
Then I took a few with my camera. Brandon and Annie were excited to tell them what they wanted for Christmas. Haylie was fascinated by Santa’s beard, and kept tugging at it. Hopefully it didn’t hurt too much because that beard was authentic.
Couldn’t decide if I liked the faded one or the more colorful version of this one. So I posted both. ‘Cause that’s how I roll.
These next ones are my favorite. Santa and the girls. Finally, a true Annie smile. Brandon was already off talking with the photographer and watching our pictures print out.
We had a wonderful time and hope to make this a fun new tradition. It was a great way to start out the Christmas season. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!!
Oh, a funny little moment. When we pulled into the underground parking at the hotel before breakfast Brandon asked “So did Santa park his sleigh down here too?”
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
As I was reading I kept thinking, where is Annie? The santa hug picture makes up for all the other ones. It is so cute. I already know that my kids will have nothing to do with Santa next week. Oh well.
Love it! What a great idea! How fun for Brandon to be Rudolph. And, Annie cracks me up – such a character! How come you didn’t wear your “special” Christmas sweatshirt?!?
Those pictures are beautiful! The Santa is beautiful. Your kids are beautiful. You are beautiful. Miss you!
What a fun memory. What a lucky family to have such fun together. You are always doing great things with/for your kids.
Looks like fun! We have had breakfast with Santa at the zoo the past 2 years, but this looks much nicer! It’s kind of weird to be eating and they walk in with animals for the kids to pet.
What a fun tradition! I’ve never heard of it before. Great pictures as usual. I love the one of Annie hugging Santa.
Wow, that looks like so much fun. I had not heard of that, looked incredible. The pictures turned out fantastic (as always). You really need to submit that picture of Annie hugging Santa into some photo contests because it is so cute. The kids all looked great in their Christmas clothes.
Why didn’t you sit on Santa’s lap and whisper in his ear what you want for Christmas? That’s something I could see you doing. =)
what a amazingly darling family! & that santa is the real thing!!! looks like a perfect way to kick off christmas! love it!
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this looks like SO much fun! Santa and mrs. claus are so cute! LOVE the kids outfits and I think I like the old fashioned/faded picture of those two! My favorite is of Annie hugging Santa!!