Weekend of SANTA's . . .

We had a SANTASTIC weekend!

Ward Christmas Parties. . .

Potluck dinner

(our ward got so smart this year and the kids had their own food

bagel bites, chicken nuggets, taquitos and fruit salad - so there actually was plenty of food for us parents)

and a

visit from SANTA himself. 

This one is at that age - where he thinks he still believes - he's not too sure if he's too cool to sit on Santa's lap - but he also knows exactly what he wants for Christmas this year and if this Santa thing really works he knows he better sit on that lap and ask for what he wants.

This one couldn't wait to sit on Santa's lap

(although from this picture he looks a little nervous)

It's all this one has been talking about all week.

He knows Santa is going to bring him exactly what he wants.

(now if he would just stop changing his mind about what he does want)

Not so bad . . .

There it is.

The perfect Santa picture.

I have one just like it from both her brothers,

now I can add hers to the scrapbook.

Thanks for coming through for me.

And here you have my children

#1 thinks he's a little too cool for this

#2 is way too interested in his candy to care what is going on around him

and

#3  - well you can tell by the look on her face how she feels

The kids did make cute Rudolph hats.

Notice that my "too cool kid" doesn't have the red nose ("not cool" he said)

So the next morning we got up bright and early and headed to

SANTACISCO!

(San Francisco for those of you who don't speak Kristopher)

We found that even the sea lions have been affected by the economy. . .

Where did they all go?

So while in "Santacisco" we:

drove over the Bay Bridge

(and tried to keep Papa quiet about the earthquake of '89 when the bridge collapsed. . . we have an 8 year old who is very afraid of earthquakes)

ate at Boudins

rode the carousal

drove through Union Square

saw thousands of people shopping

 saw some amazing window displays

saw a lot of Santa's

some were smoking

some had short skirts on (with fish net stockings)

some were dancing

some had beards

some did not

some were joyful

some were NOT

But it was a very cold day in the city

so we headed to the

EXPLORATORIUM!

and spent a few hours exploring the world of science . . .

We found this near the end of the day

A drinking fountain made from a toilet.

It was called

"a sip of conflict"

all about mind over matter

Even though the water is the same water that would be used in a regular drinking fountain and the toilet is a brand new toilet - people will hesitate drinking from it

(except for my boys)!