Merry Christmas Eve, RMT’ers! It’s the most wonderful time of the year… where I post a few random photos from the month of December to sum up what we’ve been up to over this glorious holiday season.

These were gifts for Santa and Buddy the Elf from T.

T’s first letter to Santa. He took it when he saw “the real Santa at the dentist.” He also saw more Santas elsewhere throughout the season, but those are not the real ones so he didn’t talk to or visit with them. He just waved and said hi from afar. Ha!

Latest letter to Santa. Buddy is taking this up tonight when he leaves.

To start, ’tis the season for T writing letters to Santa, and a lot of them. Tonight Buddy (our elf) will take the red-papered one up as a last-ditch effort to ensure his spot on the Nice List. Don’t worry… I think you’ll be OK, T.

Do you see Santa?

Just one of the more festive homes along Naples Rivo Alto Canal in Long Beach (CA).

Even the lots being built on get into the holiday spirit down here!

“Griswold House” in Naples, Long Beach (CA).

We also went and saw a lot of Christmas lights this month. The boys alone went twice while I was on my fabulous 40th birthday weekend, and we made a trek out to the Naples canals area last Monday all together last week also. I can’t say we’ve ever really walked around down there during the holidays, and I’m not sure why. These are some of the best lights in our entire area (duh)! The lights reflecting off of the water add a little something to the magic of the season, too.

T’s class in the Holiday Sing 2013.

T’s class and the other Kinders all sang a song based on a German drinking song, “Must Be Santa.” Well, the school did claim the show was internationally focused. Cheers!

T also had a small holiday show at school! Dubbed the “Holiday Sing” for obvious reasons, each of the grade levels got together to sing two holiday songs a piece for parents and close friends. Our school’s auditorium is tiny, so the school put on two performances that allowed us to choose which we would attend. Both shows were standing room only, of course, and I actually waited in line about an hour ahead of the first show to get one of the best seats in the house (front row!). Kindergarten sang, “The Dreidel Song,” and, “Must Be Santa.” Sing on, T!

Speaking of singing, T and I took two evenings this month to watch “The Sound of Music” together under the glow of our own Christmas tree lights. He’s always loved this movie and so have I. Here’s to passing along more fun traditions!

Finally, here’s our family photo with Santa this year. Ho, ho, ho!

Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2014, RMT’ers! May you enjoy and savor this time with family and friends. Just like seasons’ past, I’ll see you on the flip-side!