Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas,

when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;

And Papa in his cap and I in my kerchief,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Then I chickened out and ran back to bed. It's dang cold here in Idaho and my bed is warm.

Plus I'm a chicken like that.

[Poke, poke] "Peanut Head! I heard something noisy. I think we're being burglared!"

[Snore . . . . snore] [Long minutes pass, maybe a half hour]

"PEANUT! Go protect your family!"

Peanut Head got up to check it out, but since he was so nonchalant and slooooooooow about it, we didn't get to see the Fat Man.

But he left this.

Tracks.

In the snow.

From his sleigh.

Do you see it?!!!

Here, look closer.

See where he landed? Do you see the skinny part on the right where the runners to the sleigh first hit?

Then the tracks . . . He was not at all dainty about getting out of his sleigh.

I know you're thinking that Samma-Lamma-Ding-Dong made those tracks, but trust me she didn't. Remember, it's cold in Idaho, she poops right off the porch and runs back inside. The rest of our yard was pristine.

Until the Santa Man landed, that is.

Then here's where he's taking off after doing his business transaction.

And there are his runners again where he left the ground.

Can you believe that?!!!!

Of course it will all be gone in the morning (because it snows in Idaho) so we had to take these pictures to show the kiddos.

Have a very Merry Christmas Everyone!