I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her. On the way, my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted .... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it! That ru mor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go." BRR!"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.
"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out , when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker.
He was a kid with messy hair and clothes that never seemed to fit. He sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down." Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.
Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Sant a Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.
Finally it did, and there stood Bobby. Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were ridiculous.
Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95. May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!
Amber has no idea she's about to receive a quilt she has had her eye on...
So if you look at her face it is a huge surprize, Mom still has a few tricks up her sleeve.
It's kind of a dirty trick to play on a pregnant daughter. Hence the tears...
The name of the quilt is "Stars were Gleaming" since it's Christmas time and duel meaning with the patriotic theme. I'll have to label it another day...
It's an Elmo Christmas with Uncle Brenan.
Snowboarding anyone? Thanks Amanda & James...
Wedding Album c/o Mom...
We Love you Amanda and James!
Zoe is still deciding whether she likes the paper or the present...
Zoe is kissing Amanda's bridal photo, the real Amanda is behind her, funny!
It's always fun to exchange air kisses with Uncle Blake.
Elmo slippers from Nana, Mom gave her the broom. She thinks it's a bat...Babies are so fun during the holidays!
Doesn't Zoe look like Cindy-Lou Who?
She wasn't going for the whole Santa thing though...this is a funny picture how far away she is from him.
Doing the crafts with Uncle Brenan. She thinks she's 12...already!
Too Cute!
It was a great evening for our Ward. We had roast beast for dinner, enjoyed "The Grinch Stole Christmas" play, visited, exchanged christmas cards, and felt the Christmas spirit. How do you like the Grinch's cave?
This is Who-ville on the stage and the audience. It was absolutely beautiful. It took an army, but was worth every minute.
The children had a magical night interacting with noise-makers booing the Grinch...so fun! The cast and director went all out and totally engaged the audience with their awesome acting skills.
The food committee did an awesome job along with the decorating committee. This will be a night to remember for years to come...
We are the Activities Chair for our Ward and planned a Who-bilation for our Christmas Party...