first ever photo with santa

this is the first year the lu would sit on santa's lap...or at least stand by him. we tried last year but could only get close enough to wave without a meltdown. and while i think photos of children hysterically crying on santa's lap are precious (i might be sick & twisted?!?!?), i didn't pick that battle (you know, the one where we spend $20 to make our child cry at Christmas) with my ever practical dear husband.

but this year she was up for it. sorta. it's totally off center because clay was on the other side of santa, convincing luci that santa was, in fact, safe...

she told him she wanted a purple bike. and we were about a half a block away when she said, "silly luci! i forgot to tell him i wanted roller skates!" we went roller skating for the first time two days later for a birthday party...and she hasn't mentioned wanting skates since (see future yet-to-be written post on ice & roller skating this year for the first time).

gus didn't cry...he was just skeptical. but he'll pretty much do anything that luci will do...he definitely takes his cues from sissy!
and here is my attempt to create a frame for under $5 to house said santa photo each year. this paper is a bit too busy i think...but it'll do for this year.