Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

 Tomorrow the first ever "Swiftys" will be announced on Swift Current Online.  One of the categories was "Best Community Event".  You know I love contests and voting so I voted for the Christmas Tree Lighting we will find out at 8 am tomorrow if it wins.  We always have so much fun there.  The weather maybe cold but the hot chocolate, Christmas Carols, roasting marshmallows and the smiles on the kids' faces all warm the heart and more than make up for the cold toes. 

The girls waiting for Santa to arrive.  Ellie was watching Santa get out of the fire truck while Olivia poses for the camera.  

Kelsey was part of his school choir that sang at the tree lighting.  Very proud mom standing in the bushes to photograph the back row. 

 This kids just ditched us to stand by himself for the sleigh ride.  I sent Olivia to check on him and she tied up his toque for him.  Then when he put the strings in his mouth she yanked them out simultaneously yanking lose his first tooth. 

 The kids did a great job singing to a large crowd. 

 The fire fighters handed out marshmallows and we warmed up around the bonfire. 

 Ellie found herself hypnotized by the fire. 

 With the line for Santa being very long I thought Ellie would like to go say hi to Mrs. Claus.  What a nice lady!  Lots of hugs.  Ellie tried to sweet talk her into helping her skip to the front of the line to see Santa. 

 We got hot chocolate from the fabulous Golden West Radio Station. 

 Here is the picture of the horses and sleigh.  This is what happens when your flash hasn't fully recharged. 

Here is one of the perks of shooting in Raw as underneath there is still a lot of information on the file that you can use if you utilize the fill light slider. 

 This is the picture I will show Ellie when she is grown up and tell her we waited in line so she could sit on Santa's knee when in all actuality we did not because her mom and brothers are social butterflies that could not stand in line for too long because we might miss something.  Thanks again to all those involved in making the Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting a success.  It is the kick off to our holiday season and we love it!  We hope you win the Swifty!!!