Although Nayalise Meek, 3, is still not sure about Santa, as long as mom Starla Meek is close, she is willing to get a little closer during the family night on Wednesday.

Ari couldn't wait to give Santa a hug when he arrived from the North Pole (by way of the Valley Courier) to read to youngsters during Christmas Story Family Night at the Alamosa Public Library on Wednesday evening. Santa read "The Gingerbread Man," and youngsters and their families enjoyed making their own gingerbread men, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate. The library and Save the Children sponsored the event with donations from the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

In addition to enjoying a visit from Santa, families enjoyed activities such as making their own paper gingerbread men during the Christmas Story Family Night on Wednesday. At left are Emma, 5, and her dad J.D., and at right are Angela and Mariano and their daughter Ziannah.

Santa, with help from Children's Librarian Becky Steenburg reads "The Gingerbread Man" to youngsters and their families during Christmas Story Family Night at the Alamosa Public Library on Wednesday evening. The library and Save the Children sponsored the event. Kiwanis and Rotary supported the evening with coloring books and money.