The Cislaghi's: Visit to the North Pole (aka, Bass Pro Shop)

Today Eli and I had quite the big adventure...we went to Bass Pro Shop to get his picture made with Santa Claus. If you have been to Bass Pro before, then you know that everything there is BIG! The store is big, the fish are big, the animals are big, and the line to go and see Santa is...you guess it...BIG! We have been meaning to go all month, but time somehow slipped away so it was now or never. We went up there this morning around 10am and got a pass to go stand in line to get Eli's picture made at 11:30. So, for the next hour Eli and I had a great time exploring all the wonders of the great outdoors. Eli loved the "wawa" with all of the big fish, but didn't really understand why I wouldn't let him get in the tank and actually touch the fish. :) We sat in tents, "rode" on fourwheelers, and "oohed and aahed" over all manner of bears, moose, and deer. That hour flew by surprisingly fast and all was going well.

At about 11am we went back to "Santa's Wonderland" to wait for Santa. The good thing was that Bass Pro was not oblivious to the ways of kids. The had plenty of distractions to keep the kids amused while we waited. There was a table to color pictures, a big remote control car table, and plenty of other fun christmas decorations. Nonetheless, even with all of this a boy has his limits.

At about 11:45, we finally made it to the front of the line and it was our turn! By this point, however, my little boy was about ready for lunch and a nap, and most certainly did not want to be passed away from Mommy to some strange man, even if he did look like Santa Claus. So there we were...the moment was finally there, the culmination of the last 2 hours of waiting, hoping for one good picture that we can look back on for years to come and smile. You can see our picture below, but just between me and you, I definitely think we got that picture. :)

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Checking out the lights

"Whoa..."

"Mommy, look at that!"

"Really Mom! I can tell you are still taking pictures, but you have got to see this!"

"Check out the SIZE of that fish!"

"I am speechless."

Time for a little camping.
And if you are wondering, yes, I am walking my son on a leash. :) But especially in a store as big as Bass Pro at the busiest time of the year, I wouldn't have it any other way. This little backpack is worth it's weight in gold!

Loving the tent

Petting the raccoon. "Boy Mom, this guy sure is still..."

Riding on his first Fourwheeler

Eli with the big bear

Friends :)

Just giving him a little bear hug ;)

Coloring the Choo Choo Trains

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Eli roasting by an open fire

"What?! Is that a real fire?"

Big car table

Remote Controlled Cars = Awesome

"Now that's what I'm talking about."

This is what Eli does when I ask him to "say cheese." For a while he would actually look at me and smile with his finger to his cheek. Now he just says cheese and puts his finger on his cheek while he keeps doing what he was doing. :)