Pictures with Santa

Yes, I admit it. I believe in Santa. To me Santa is much more than just a character who shows up once a year bringing gifts. To me Santa represents happiness, and hope, and miracles, and wishes fulfilled. He's jolly and fun. To me Santa Claus represents joy and who doesn't believe in a little more joy in the world, even if it's just for one day?

Sure I've got plenty of other photos of my children but the few I have of them with Santa are my most treasured because when I set them out each year I see the miracle of them growing up again, right before my eyes. I see happiness on their faces (well except for the one year that my youngest was afraid of the jolly old elf and cried when I set him on Santa's lap - explained below) and most of all in that one second moment that was nabbed with a camera for all time, I can see their faces as they are hoping and dreaming of what the future might bring. Sure at the time their dreams were only of silly things like Tonka trucks and Nintendo games but the expression remains the same, a combination of hope and joy that would be almost impossible to capture at any other time.