Christmas 2010: Visiting Santa and the Royal Park Gingerbread House

We had such a great experience with Santa at The Village in Rochester Hills last year, that we decided to visit him again.  Ava wanted to write out a list for Santa, as well as draw a picture of Frosty for him. 

As with any Georgia Peach, the first thing on her list was snow.  :)  She also requested a tent (hmm...she already has one?), Barbie, a car, Dora and robots (?) ;-)

Ava and Grandpa Carey heading to visit Santa.

It was SO COLD that day, Doug's Mom and I went to The Children's Place to pick up some gloves for Liam.  His poor little hands were freezing!

BRRRR!

Waiting for Santa

It is incredibly too sweet to watch Ava with Santa.  She falls for him hook, line and sinker.  It is nice and warm (and quiet!) in the pavilion, so it was quite magical.  She was so anxious to show him her picture of Frosty, along with her wish list. 

Santa checking out her Frosty picture.  :)  Magic.

Last year Liam sat on his lap because Ava did.  This year?  Not so much...

Me giving Santa a high-five, to show Liam that Santa was cool.  We tried!

Phew!  I was a little concerned I wouldn't get ANY "terrorized by Santa" pictures of our kids.  Quota met.
After visiting Santa, we headed to McDonald's for a quick lunch with Grandma and Grandpa.  I had heard that the Royal Park Hotel had a very cute (although large!) gingerbread house display.  I told the Careys I thought it might be fun to visit.  I think they probably thought I was crazy, mentioning I wanted to go see a gingerbread house.  THEN we arrived.  Holy gingerbread house!  It was gorgeous!

Royal Park Hotel's life-sized gingerbread house!  Made with real ingredients.

The recipe:

The kids clowning. 

Peace, love and a plate-sized gingerbread cookies!
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam