The Show Is Over And It Is Time To Visit The Claus's3 - Post
Herbie says "Whaddaya mean over... I want more!!"
Quotation To Remember: The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was a genius. ~Sid Caesar
We line up to go on the stage
Bob is amazed... He really really gets to meet Santa
Click.... Hans captures the momment
Quotation To Remember: What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. -Agnes M. Pharo
Margie and Mike
We whipped out the "Etch a Sketch"
Bob runs the little camera
Quotation To Remember: The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy (EXTENDED) family all wrapped up in each other. -Burton Hillis (Better Homes and Gardens)
"Paul! Was that you???"
Even Hans is ready to meet Santa
Caption needed....
"That stage is a long way up!"
Bunny is afraid of Santa... We now know why!
Boo!
We call him "Wrong Way Javier"
Waiting for Santa
"Did someone say meet Santa?? Hurry up Grandpa!"
Take A Moment To Read Again The 1897 New York Sun Article
From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety-fifth Street
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
"Look, I see a Reindeer flying!"
Jan looks!
OK Liles Family... Come on up
Like directing cats
... James wants to sit on Mrs. Santas's lap
Quotation To Remember: The merry family gatherings-- The old, the very young; The strangely lovely way they Harmonize in carols sung. For Christmas is tradition time-- Traditions that recall The precious memories down the years, The sameness of them all. -Helen Lowrie Marshall
Bob sneaks in more pictures
Years from now we will remember this....
Donna and Michele enjoying the fun
Tah Da
Shhhhh Vicky is levitating the chandalier using only her mental powers
"Hey... Why is my head feeling so hot??"
It's still pretty hot up there
We plan to sneak up on Santa
Herb is NOT taking any chances
Setting Up The Group Shot
Follow my step....
"Now... kids first... Except Herbie"
Nick gets the seat of honor
James is eyeing Mrs. Claus
Almost there....
Sie... Sir... HERB! Please do not pull the little girls hair in front of you
Rebecca has her spot
Pete, plop yourself right here
Almost.....
Our photographer places everyone
Snap.... It's magic (
See the other professional shots
)
Sue makes a grfeat Mrs. Santa also
Nick and Rebecca are so very serious
Smile
Quotation To Remember:In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukkah" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukkah!" or (to the atheists) "Look out for the wall!" ~Dave Barry
"So Santa... Can I ride with you and the reindeer??"
Now That We Are Up Here, What Do We Do??
Vicky!!! Behave,,, Yeah!
Quotation To Remember: I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. ~Jewish Proverb
Carri gets a photo-op
Nick and Saint Nick... Which one is which?
I is decorated for Christmas
The Burns visit Santa
The Liles' join in
All smiles
Hans and Kerstin
Brian and Jan join the fun
Meanwhile Back On The Floor...
Quotation To Remember: If you're being run out of town, get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade. ~Author Unknown
The adults? watch the goings on
The stage is empty... Time to go home
Herb decorated the tree when we were not looking
Quotation To Remember: A penny will hide the biggest star in the Universe if you hold it close enough to your eye. ~Samuel Grafton
Going home...
We tried to follow Vicky until she transitioned to "Kight Speed"
Quotation To Remember: Is the glass half empty, half full, or twice as large as it needs to be? ~Author Unknown