I realize that the big payoff is tonight when Santa climbs into our gas-powered fireplace with my loot. But there's been plenty of Christmas spirit in the last few days. First, I made the obligatory trip to visit Santa, whose "listening tour" (just like our prez) took him to C-ville. After letting him know that I want a kitchen, a barn and a veterinarian kit, I instructed Santa to kiss Splashie:

Kiss him! Right on his big ol' whale lips!

Then we all gathered in for a group picture:

Santa asked mommy to sit on his other knee. I think he got kind of pissed off after mommy declined. Sort of understandable... I mean, weeks on tour without the loving touch of Mrs. Claus can make a man ask for things he might not otherwise ask for. And besides, everyone's asking so much of him this time of year. He probably wants to get a little back.

Perhaps more in the true spirit of Christmas was the great gingerbread house decoration of 2006. This monumental project is best portrayed in before/after format:

...and...


After that, everyone left our house. And it was up to me to do the cleanup work:

It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it.