Santa Photos 2024

For as long as I can remember, Kristin has made it a tradition to take her kids to FotoFly for pictures with Santa. This year felt extra special because there were two new little cousins to join in the fun—our Mads and Goldie. Kristin was absolutely thrilled at the idea of having all the cousins together for this, and, true to form, she managed to wrangle everyone’s schedules to make it happen. Today was the big day.

We all gathered at FotoFly downtown this afternoon, buzzing with excitement. Alison and I started the day by trying on Mads outfit it was adorable, and we couldn’t wait to see how she’d react to her second Santa experience. One of the many things I love about FotoFly is how they go the extra mile to keep things fun and stress-free. They not only have a fantastic Santa, but they also let parents suit up as Santa in if they want to make the experience even more personal.

Naturally, I volunteered to don the Santa suit. Once I was fully transformed—red suit, hat, beard, and all—I felt like the role was mine to own. But Mads? She wasn’t so sure about this new version of Dad. There were some wide-eyed looks and a little hesitation at first. To be fair, seeing your dad suddenly turn into a big guy in a fluffy beard can be a lot to process! Luckily, she warmed up just enough for some sweet photos and a few smiles along the way.

Since I was already in costume, I ended up being Santa for most of the pictures, which was an absolute blast. Watching all the cousins interact with "Santa" (a.k.a. me) was hilarious and heartwarming. Goldie was the picture of sweetness, and the older kids brought so much fun and energy to the shoot.

Most of the pictures turned out darling. Kristin’s vision for this day came together beautifully, and seeing all the cousins, from tiny Goldie and Mads to the big kids, made the whole experience feel like the perfect kickoff to the holiday season.

Looking back, I’m not sure who had more fun—me playing Santa, the kids figuring it all out, or Kristin seeing her plan come to life. Either way, it’s a tradition I hope we can keep up for years to come.