Smiley, Jr. meets Santa!

Okay, so our real reason for stopping at Bass Pro Shops was ...

... each year, they offer one free picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause. Of course, Ashley's pictures were better, so they are posted (but I digress).

Although Eden did not cry or scream (instead, she just looked intently at his beard then looked toward the camera), she was not reluctant to come back to Dad.

Ashley was a little dissappointed that she didn't make it into any pictures from Eden's first visit with Santa. My Christmas present ... to be a better "take-charge-of-the-camera-husband."
After meeting Santa, we (Chip, Christy, Ashley, Eden, and I) headed to the Mall of Louisiana ... it was Ashley's first time there after living here four months. Even so, it was also the first official sighting of Smiley, Jr.

Granddaddy was holding Eden and walking around Macy's. Eden was was full-face smiling the whole time. Someone walked by them and said, "Well, hello, Smiley!" I suppose that was surreal to Chip as Ashley's nickname as an infant was Smiley. Talk about weird!

After the mall, we fought traffic, Eden fell asleep for about an hour nap, and we all visited and had coffee. After Eden woke up, we put her on the rug and .... well, that's another post!!! We'll keep you in suspense for a while.