Pictures of Christmas, Mendez style

Here is the Mendez Christmas in pictures.

First, we went to Fairhope's annual tree lighting ceremony.

Then, the girls rode on the preschool float in the Daphne Christmas parade.

Yes, I bribed my child to behave with candy.

Then we picked our Christmas tree from the Christmas tree farm,

and decorated "Mommy's" tree,

and the girls' tree. (In their Halloween costumes.)

We hung out at Nana and Papa Joe's house and enjoyed their decorations

And talked Papa Joe into giving us a snack.

Once Daddy got home, we went carolling at a rest home with our Bible Study group.

 

We made Christmas treats.

And we finally put together the gingerbread house.

Christmas Eve, after Santa delivered the presents

And finally, Christmas morning madness.

Special Delivery from Santa

Here is the story of Santa's Special Delivery to the Mendez house.

One Saturday afternoon in December (December 10th to be exact), the Mendez family had a special visitor stop by. Apparently he needed to see if we were being naughty or nice.

Lily, as usual, took her own sweet time warming up to Santa. This was about as close as she got to him for the first 15 minutes or so.

And of course anyone who walks in the front door is Abby's instant new best friend, so the fact he just happened to also be Santa made it extra special exciting.

Abby is whispering what she wants for Christmas

While Lily was trying to decide if she trusted that man in red, Abby took him around the living room and showed off all our decorations - including telling him the whole story about Jesus' birthday.

Lily finally decided Santa must be okay because she remembered we had pictures of Santa when Abby was a baby.

Then, Santa sat down with girls to read "Twas the Night before Christmas.The story is much more interesting when he reads it instead of Mommy.



"Laying his finger on the side of his nose. . ."

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Santa remembered that he had a special gift in the sleigh! His elves dropped it off at our front door . . .

Apparently Santa had seen Daddy waiting at the airport "at work" in Afghanistan, and gave him a lift so Daddy could come home earlier. (I had told the girls Joel wouldn't be home until late that night.) Oh they were so excited!

And poor Santa was chopped liver compared to Daddy coming back. No offense, Santa.

And now all the Mendez family are together again under one roof. Just like we should be.

Hanging out on the couch later. They wouldn't leave Joel's side even to change their clothes.

And all is right in my world again.

There you go. Happy ending and everything. The End.