77 Years Later He Watches

As the story goes, this Santa head was stolen by Ray from a hotel in Miami during a trip to the 1948 Orange Bowl, which featured KU vs. Georgia Tech. He hung in our living room every Christmas. He is made of cardboard so I framed him to reduce the handling. 
 

Who Is This Man?

Dad was Santa for one of our playgroup Christmas parties. Fortunately his grandchildren did not recognize him and of course he couldn't see without his glasses so he probably didn't recognize them. Mom dropped him at the door and waited in the car. 1986
 

Preparing the Sleigh

Santa is getting the sleigh ready with the help of an elf. I guess Rudolph is going to pull it alone.
 

Pinned

Izzy does not think the stuffed Santas should go into hibernation.

 

Santa Needs Help

Santa, led by Rudolph, was headed straight and then somehow ended up in a circle and he's still waiting to get back to the North Pole. Hope he finds his way home.

 

Too Close

I sat with Colin but he still wanted no part of Santa and didn't want Santa to look at him. He was OK for the story time - from a distance.

 

Nightmare Before Christmas

Why take down your Halloween decor when you can use it for Christmas?
 

A Visit with Santa En Masse

Yet another visit of all the cousins to Santa at Crown Center. 1996

 

A Visit with Santa

Colin was intrigued by Santa but not intimidated. Santa visited during the daycare pancake breakfast.
 

Singing and Santa

Adam and some of his classmates are preparing to sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in his daycare Christmas program. It was delightful. Below, Santa snuck up on him.

 

A Visit with Santa

Vala found this a perfectly harmless way to visit Santa.

 

Let the Holidays Begin

Overland Park kicked off the holidays with the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas Tree. Our old neighbor, outgoing Mayor Carl Gerlach, chatted with Howard while Santa and his reindeer entertained the crowd.

 

Did You Return Your Book on Time?

It appears Santa is hovering above the library book return to check. Better be good.
 

The Wait Is Long

Visiting Santa in 1998 at Crown Center. I'm sure Hayden and Stacy were less than thrilled to wait in the endless line for Santa. I see Scott and Kelly hanging out in the back.
 

Letters for Santa

Making it easy to get those letters to the North Pole, Prairie Village has provided these boxes.
 

Riding the Polar Express

We took the Polar Express out of Baldwin City. Below, Lowell is receiving a bell from one of the reindeer's harnesses on Santa's sleigh, as in the book. Adam slept through that part.

 

A Long Winter's Nap

Time now for Santa to take a long winter's nap.

Ranchmart Santa Express

It's actually a stuffed Santa but he sits in this vintage train on the lawn of the shopping center (95th and Mission Rd).

Big Shoes to Fill

Santa's boots are full of sparkling branches.

Time to Rest

Santa's work is done and he's due for a rest. One of my favorite Santas.