Does Santa Live in North Dakota??

The title will become clear once you read through our whole blog, but until then - enjoy the pics from our Christmas in North Dakota!  Amy LOVES going home for Christmas as she gets to go to the church she attended as a kid.  It has changed a bit though.  They added on a new area where they do a contemporary service.  Much different than she remembers, but at least the kids are entertained.  They even get to go to the front to play instruments with the band during the last song!  The kids got very used to going to church during vacation (2 sundays + Christmas).  The following Sunday, Amy dropped the kids off in Sunday School and Kasey adimately declared he wanted to go to Church instead.  * That only lasted one Sunday and he was pleased to go back to Sunday School the following week - we go to a traditional service in Colorado.  Guess the services differ Greatly!

Boys behaving well before church starts

After church - it was time for some dress up pics of the kids.  You may notice some nicely decorated Palm trees next to a beautiful Christmas tree.  Did I mention we were having a Hawaiian Christmas!?!?  We also had to document the great taste Melissa and Amy both have in dresses!

Lets write People Magazine and see 'Who Wore it Best'!

Melissa and Brady Always put on quite the spread.  Complete with Tiger Meat.  Yes, it is RAW.  Amy was quite unsure about it, but it was definitely delicious!!!  Lots of different appetizers, yummy soup made by both the Woodards and the Mattsons and delicious desserts made by GG and Dianna.

 The kids had a surprise in store for them!  Santa made Each of them a Video message.  It was Super cool!  Kasey was a bit concerned that Santa wouldn't find him since we were in ND and Santa mentioned in the video that Kasey and Karsten were in CO.

Enamoured by Santa!

Cameo appearance from Barb!

Shortly after the videos ended - we heard a fun Jingle and a Big "Ho, Ho, Ho!"  Santa came to visit us and brought presents for the kids.  Santa started out apologizing for being late - he stopped in Colorado first to see the Cannode boys, but they weren't there!  Kasey and Karsten got some cool (Loud) tow trucks, Brody got a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal and Brooklyn got an American Girl doll! All the kids were Super jazzed!

Oh My Gosh, Karsten! Run!!! It is SANTA!!!

Someone looks Nervous on whether they made the Nice List

Santa just asked who behaved this year
(Notice Brady's hands are both down by his sides... hmmmm)

In case you were wondering what Pure Excitement looks like...

I Love my new Truck, Thank you!

Thanks Santa!

Were you good this year, Papa?

GG Definitely was on the Nice List!

Another Mattson tradition: Gma and Gpa give the grandkids PJs on Christmas Eve.  Have you ever tried to get four excited kids to pose in their new jammies?  Yes, this is the Best pic I could get-Ha.

Brooklyn's Doll

Melissa's Doll when she was Brooklyn's age

After all the excitement died down from our visitors ~ it was time to party ~Hawaiian Style!

Whoa - What a Party... It was time to get to bed and wait patiently for Santa to bring us our stockings.

Look you enjoyed some cookies!

Santa Brought the Village People!

No flashing, Karsten

Guess Karsten wanted to try out a few different looks

You will have to wait for more Christmas Day festivities in another blog update, but until then - I will leave you with a cute story.  Kasey was pretty bummed when we were putting away the Christmas decos back home.  Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at me and said "Mommy, Did Santa go back to North Dakota until Next Christmas?" ... Big smile on Amy's face, "Well, he lives in the North Pole, Honey, but... Close enough... Close Enough."