Annual Bass Pro Santa Trip...

Y'all, I simply adore The Bass Pro Shop.  They know how to do events.  Especially for little people.  

This year, we went during the school week.  Honestly, Thanksgiving just flew by (are you picking up on a theme here?) and we didn't make it all together.  We usually go on the Sunday after Thanksgiving but we always end up having to go out to lunch while we wait for two or three hours.  Instead, the kids and I went by ourselves after an early dinner.  

It worked well.

We got there at 4:45 pm.  Santa started seeing kids at 5:00 pm.  But our ticket was for 6 pm.  

While we waited, we rode their carousel.  

Despite his face, Rhys did actually enjoy the ride!  

We spent some time trying to get a good picture of the two of them in front of the big Christmas tree.

AK is a better picture taker.  Although, she still cuts her eyes to the side and I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.  We'll say, "Look at the camera, Aubrey Kate!"  And she'll say, "I AM!"  

Ummmm...no.

But it's better than Rhys who is in a perpetual state of motion.  I made the mistake of saying, "Say Ho, Ho, Ho!" and he seemed unable to say it without bouncing up and down.  So that second photo?  That's the best I could get.  

Try to contain your jealousy at my mad photog skillz.

They both thoroughly enjoyed climbing on every single boat.  I love to watch them play.  They jump around and pretend and try to contain overflowing excitement.  It's precious.

Bass Pro sets up a craft station too.  Pages to color and something to put together.  Rhys could care less but crafting is Aubrey Kate's love language (along with stickers).

So Rhys kept climbing and sailing and pretending while AK worked hard on her craft.  

This was the part of the excursion that was a little difficult by myself.  The boats and crafts were next to each other but I couldn't do too much helping for AK without taking my eyes off of Rhys.

Y'all, he'll take off.

Then I have to hunt him down and leave AK alone.  

And she's too cute to be left alone.  I've seen one too many "Criminal Minds."

But we made it.  Both children were safe.

Then came our turn to get in line.  They did pretty well standing in line.  It only took 10 minutes or so but when you're five and three, that's FOR FOREVER.  

We passed the time going over our Santa stradegy.  Neither of them wanted to sit in his lap but both agreed they wanted to tell him their three things.

AK wanted her three princess dolls, Tiana, Jasmin and Aurora.

Rhys wanted transformers and a big gorilla.  

Yes, I know that's only two things but I was just grateful he managed to list things "Santa" already had taken care of.  It's when they throw something new into the list when "Santa" starts to sweat.

I thought the picture turned out just precious.  But I'm likely a little biased.  AK is actually looking at the camera and Rhys is still.  

Winning!

After they saw Santa, they each got a little stuffed fox toy.  Heavens.  Those thing quickly became their most prized possessions.

For about three days.

So there you have it!  Another year, another Bass Pro Santa trip!  

Kids are just the best things ever, aren't they?  Gosh, I love them.  And all their eye-cutting, constant moving selves.