• Tuesday-What'sUP December 19 - 08:00 am

My grandsons and I were on hand to welcome Santa to his Hubbell Fire Department sponsored visit. What a festive and fun time for the kiddos, young and old. When he stepped down off that fire truck, my youngest grandson who just turned 7 and is in the first grade, ran right into his arms for a BIG hug, telling him, "I love you, Santa!"

The oldest grandson, who is 11 and in the sixth grade was not so sure about wanting to sit on Santa's lap and talk to him about anything, but a younger cousin pulled him along, insisting he HAD to, so he did it mostly for her. Truthfully, I think he really wanted to, but was just a bit embarrassed. Plus, he'd seen the goody bags you received after visiting with Santa and he wanted to get in on that, too. I chuckled when I heard Santa ask him if he'd been a good boy. He paused before answering, "Yes". To which I heard Santa say, "I sense a bit of hesitation in that reply there, son!" Ha, ha….caught!

All the way home, they were discussing whether this could have been the "real" Santa Claus or one of his many helpers this time of year. When they asked me, I simply turned it back on them, asking what they thought and the youngest one, with true conviction, said he thought he was the REAL thing.
I love the magic of believing, no matter how old you are. It spreads good will to all involved and we sure can use plenty of that…year round.

What great pictures! Always enjoy seeing those
grandkids!

Totally agree Mary. It's one of those things that adds to the uniqueness of Christmas. One of the added traditions of the year. Love seeing that snow! :-)

The brick building behind Santa in the first picture was Reddings general store. Then in the late forties it became Lake Valley Dairy. My dad laid cement on the wood floor on first floor. Years later a bump shop bought the building. They put a car on the cement floor over wood and it ended up in the basement.

Watched PBS show that aired tonight out here in Seattle, "Red Metal: the Copper Country Strike of 1913." Hard to believe it is hundredth anniversary of the Italian Hall tragedy.

I love Christmas.

Santa's arrival is less than a week away!

Great pictures, Mary!! Thanks for sharing that magical evening with us. "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Only in Da U.P. do you see a full sized fire truck that is all wheel drive. It's almost Christmas.

As a child I waa so timid I never sat on Santa's lap.:< But after seeing him and seeing how 'fat' he was I was worried that he couldn't come down our small chimney, so Mama said not to worry, they'd leave the front door unlocked.;)
The wonderful wonders of childhood!!

"was", even

Wonderful photos, Mary. Santa has been a busy guy. Yesterday he
was on a train in National Mine that stopped at the crossing near my
daughter's house and took their family on a short ride. What an
excited little guy my grandson was on the phone last night as he
told me about his adventures.

As a kid, I don't ever remember sitting on Santa's lap, but then, I was dropped on my head a lot...by a man in red pajamas.

Santa was at my bank today. I got a picture of him for my grandchildren. It was so much fun to see him come in there. I guess I'm just a big kid.

Is that what Santa told you after you sat on his lap today, Deb?;}

I LOVE SANTA! Great pics,Mary!!

Shirley, he told me I've been an extraordinarily good girl :-)