Hansen Family Party!

Every year we have a Hansen Family Christmas Party on my dad's side of the family. It has been something that we have done ever since I can remember. It has always been so much fun, but over the years with our family growing so much we have not all fit at my Grandma's house. We are practically sitting laps, and not to mention that when you get up it is musical chairs, because everyone is looking for somewhere to sit. So after years of people suggesting that we have it somewhere else, this year my parents planned it at their church. Thank you for that! It was so nice to have a place where the kids could run around and play and not have to worry too much about them getting into anything. We had dinner, read stories, played bingo, and of course Santa Claus came and gave the kids presents (gifts that of course we have bought our own children and Santa gets all the credit again.) j/k It was fun!

Poor Cruze was so distraught, because his and Gauge's presents were the very last in the bag and he was getting more and more upset with each kid that went up there. He hung in there and was very excited that Santa brought him a motorcycle , but also that Santa knew his name. It was cute and interesting to me that over everything else that is what mattered to him, is that Santa knew who he was. It was so cute.(I couldn't help but think of how we all will feel when we realize that the Lord really does know each of us by our name.)

Gauge on the other hand could have done without Santa, he was scared to death. He was trying to sneak up there when his name was called and get his gift and get out of there. But of course everyone knows that you have to sit on Santa's lap to get a present from him. SO at the very beginning of being on his lap all was so-so, then all of the sudden he got really upset. As soon as he was off of the lap then he was just fine.

Enza, well she could have cared less. To her it was just someone else to hold her. Funny how Santa affects different kids and ages differently. It really is crazy, we tell our kids over and over again don't talk to strangers. Then we shove them on Santa's (stranger) lap while we smile and take pictures. What a great message to send to our kids. Don't talk to strangers unless they are dressed up and look happy. Oh well, at least we are always around when Santa is, so hopefully that will sink in too. Merry Christmas!