Blue Christmas 2009

Last night was the Police Department's 'Blue Christmas' event that we have been involved with since I started with the PD. Scott is the "man of the hour"...you know, the jolly, jelly-in-the-belly, white bearded dude that says HO HO Ho?!?! He looks forward to this event all year long. Everytime the PD hires a new officer that "fits the build" of Santa he's always worried he will be replaced...he really has no reason to worry since he is the PERFECT person for the job!
I am sad to say that this will be the last year that Gunner, Karlee and I will accompany Scott to the event, as little ones are starting to figure things out if you know what I mean. When Santa first walked in the kids smiled but didn't want to get too close...until they realized Santa had candy! They then got close enough to snag a candy cane out of his hand and then quickly retreated back out of his reach. As Santa walked away Karlee says "Bye Daddy!" (Oh no!) I said, "That's Santa, Karlee!" and then she said, "Yes, Santa!" We then followed Santa back into the large room and watched as he brought smiles to every child he gave gifts to. I actually don't think anyone cried this year come to think of it. Gunner, Karlee and I sat in the back of the room with some friends, and every so often when "Santa" would say something Karlee would smile and say "Daddy!" (Oh no!) After all of the children had received their presents the kids and I walked up to sit on Santa's lap. We got within 10 feet and Karlee put her brakes on and started shaking her head no. Gunner made it within about 5 feet before he chickened out, so again Santa had to reach into his bag of tricks and pull out a candy cane. This got Gunner close enough to grab, so Santa snatched him up. Karlee still wasn't going for it....which is why we have one picture of just Gunner, Santa and Mommy! Finally one of my coworkes brought Karlee up and threw her on my lap long enough to get a picture. As she was climbing off of Santa's lap she says "Hi Daddy!" as she smiles and walks off (uh-oh!). After pictures were over they both yelled "bye Santa!" and then for the next few minutes kept asking where Santa went. When Daddy reappeared awhile later I told Karlee to tell her Daddy who came to see her and she yelled "Santa!".....so you are as confused as I am! Yes, she knew he sounded like Daddy, but since she refused to go near him I'm choosing to believe she didn't figure it out. Just to be safe though, we are going to miss the next few years of Blue Christmas.
Isn't that a Handsome Santa?!?! I think Mrs. Claus is one lucky lady :)