December 1...

Just as he has done for the past few years, Alfie arrived the morning of December 1. 

And in a big way. 

Well, as big as an elf named Alfie can arrive. 

He somehow managed to wrap himself in lights and get stuck in our kitchen. To make up for it he left this note to the kids:

Happy December 1st! I'm back for the year with lots of cheer! Enjoy the lights at Santa's Wonderland tonight and tell them I sent you!

The Baileys and Munsons had the same idea, so after making our own Christmas cheer at home, away we went to Santa's Wonderland!

First stop was with the big man himself. There was of course a line, but this place has it down to an art so it moved pretty quickly. I think every year one of my favorite moments is when the kids make it to the window before entering the house and peak in on Santa. This year was extra fun because we were at the window as the Munsons were taking their pics!

5 out of 6 not crying = success!

(And we can claim Landry is laughing...but well that's not as fun!)

Then it was time to wait {again} for tickets to the hayride. (Landry, I am so sorry, I accidentally deleted the wrong picture from my camera, clearly.)

The wait wasn't so bad when you get to hang out with friends!

Eddie wanted to be in the picture with all the kids - Radley loved it. Mills notsomuch.

Then it was time to act like I am a professional photographer. Otherwise known as the time I attempted to change my ISO, shutterspeed and F stop. (All based on the numbers Josh gave me once he looked them up on an app). But, I think we did pretty good!

Although Landry's face says otherwise...the kids were in heaven. And honestly we were, too! So much fun to drive through this huge space and see the millions of lights and sets that they set up each year. 

Smart, Santa's Wonderland owners, very very smart. 

We kept hearing the giggles and laughs, the oohs and ahhs, and the MOM!! LOOOOOOOK! It's Jesus/Santa/a snowMAN!!

The hayride lasts about 25 minutes and then we had time for a few more sites - like the petting zoo. Landry basically tackled all the animals. It took Emersyn a bit longer to warm up to them, but she eventually started feeding them all by hand. 

And Radley may have wanted to take this sweet Bambi deer home.

(Me, too). 

The Baileys bid us ado so they could get sweet Kyle into bed and we waited it out for a bit of funnel cake, kettle corn and dancing. 

And of course, entertainment from this one...

Then, because Texas is Texas and of COURSE there would be a giant Texas flag lit up, we took one final pic of the kiddos. 

I am so glad that we went on this night. The weather was PERFECT - no jackets required. And the lines were relatively short. If you are planning a trip to SW let me give you some advice...

1. WEEKNIGHTS are your friend. Don't even attempt a Friday or Saturday unless everyone in your party is over the age of 12. 

2. Get there early. No matter which night you are going. The park opens at 6. Get there at 5. Seriously. The parking lot fills up quick. (Next year we are arriving at 4:30)

3. But tickets online - if you pay full price then you get to skip all the lines and head straight in. If you use groupon, living social or another discount site, you will have to wait in a line to turn in your vouchers and get tickets. So, you decide what it's worth. 

4. You can bring in your own drinks. 

5. Wear old shoes, or at least ones you don't mind getting dirty. 

6. The campfires are powerful - so be prepared to smell like campfire even if you aren't sitting next to one.

7. Bring cash - the electronic bull, kiddie train, petting zoo, miniature horses, and kettle corn stations only accept cash. 

8. Enjoy the magic of this place. It's seriously cool! Have some patience and enjoy!!! It's so worth it!