Today no doubt was busy for the Delaware State Police.

As they do every day, troopers stopped drunk drivers, rendered aid to stranded motorists and investigated countless crimes ranging from burglaries to homicides.

These troopers also provided protection to Santa and Mrs. Claus, making sure they visited my little boy’s bedside.

Without them, my sons would not have taken a photo together with Santa this year.

The Delaware State Police hosted Winter Fest today at A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children.  The troopers and other volunteers provided games, a photo booth, dinner, gingerbread houses, stuffed animals and lots of holiday cheer.

Most of the events took place in the hospital’s beautiful atrium.  But Delaware’s Finest made sure those children who couldn’t leave their rooms didn’t miss out on seeing Santa.

This afternoon the troopers brought Santa to Nate and Sam.  That meant a lot to us as Nate wasn’t well enough to go to the mall last week when we were home.  I didn’t think I’d be able to get the boys together for a photo this year and would end up taking Sam solo.

Sam was so in awe of Santa and the troopers when they visited that he pulled a Ralphie from The Christmas Story and stammered when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas.  Thankfully, our family friend Jenny was also visiting and helped Sam give Santa a portion of his list.

More surprises awaited Nate and Sam.  A few minutes after Santa left, their cousin Laura and aunt Kim arrived for a weekend visit.

While Kim cuddled with Nate, Laura, Jenny and I took Sam to the atrium where he threw a ball with Rudolph, made and ate gingerbread men, spun a dreidle and decorated ornaments for our tree. Sam’s heroes in uniform also brought along friends Rudolph, Olaf, Elmo and Raph.

The Delaware State Police and the volunteers who helped them today gave two little boys a great afternoon.  They also gave the boys’ mom a photo for a space in the family album she thought would be empty.