Have A Merry Happy Holiday

Lenoir Santa Claus Parade

Last night was the world famous  Lenoir North Carolina SatanSanta Claus Parade.

The good news is that the parade is held at night, and the lights on the floats and other things in the parade (lots of police and fire vehicles) are spectacular.

The bad news is that this means photos are hard to take.  I haven't mastered the night shot yet.  Night shots are tricky under the best circumstances but they are extra tricky when the subject is moving, and the photographer is juggling his super-sized 7 month old daughter.

I picked some of the best of the worst shots and posted them below.  This should give everyone a sense of what the parade was like.

 

 

 

 

 

And the star of the show - the jolly fat man himself, with the Mrs. (personally I think the wife made him come... he'd rather be at home watching the Grinch).

Internet Classics - Christmas Eve Edition: Santa Claus - CIA Agent?

Santa Claus Is Tapping Your Phones
To The Tune of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

You'd better watch out,
You'd better not cry,
You'd better not pout;
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is tapping
Your phone.

He's bugging your room,
He's reading your mail,
He's keeping a file
And running a tail.
Santa Claus is tapping
Your phone.

He hears you in the bedroom,
Surveils you out of doors,
And if that doesn't get the goods,
Then he'll use provocateurs.

So, you mustn't assume
That you are secure.
On Christmas Eve
He'll kick in your door.
Santa Claus is tapping
Your phone.


Supposedly written for and sung at a U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel, Christmas party during the Carter Administration. -- Eugene Volokh, UCLA Law

Downtown Christmas Tree Lights

"What is up with this chubby clown? 
He is WAY to jolly for my tastes.
Seriously, is this guy for real?"

"I'm getting coal!?!"

  This afternoon the kids in the area got together to decorate Christmas trees in downtown Lenoir.   Each group of kids had one tree to dress up, and they used themes from their various clubs and organizations.  For example, one theme was renewable energy, another was kids dreams, and one was technology.

The trees were, for the most part, fairly creative and interesting.  The town also booked Santa Claus to take pictures with the kids, and they provided free hot chocolate.

We took Zeke on a field trip to check out the scene, and to get a surprise visit with Santa.  This is the first time Zeke has had a chance to meet the jolly fat man from the far north, and I don't think he made a friend.  Maybe he will change his mind when he sees what is under the tree on the 25th.  It is never to early to buy a kids love.