Last Sunday it was time for our now-annual trip to Macy’s Herald Square to see Santa, followed by lunch at Blue Smoke.

My sister-in-law Kathryn, my brother Rob, my 4-year-old niece Grace, and my 11-year-old nephew Kyle waiting in line for the Big Event. Kyle completely humors Grace, he’s really great with her. In truth, he comes along for the promise of barbeque. And I don’t blame him. Adam’s with me, and my mom is hanging out at Au Bon Pain waiting for us to come out the other side. With pictures.

Grace’s antlers spent more time on everyone else’s head than on hers.

I <3 the North Pole, I don’t care how cheesy it is.

I don’t have any photos with Santa himself, they do magical things with the lighting so that only the $30 pictures come out looking nice. But I did learn that in addition to the greatest mac ‘n cheese ever, Blue Smoke makes a pretty killer chocolate cake. Which they serve with an ice cold glass of milk. Perfection in December.

Next year we’ll be doing this tradition with babies!