Nearly 24 hours later, I’m still having to blow my nose and clear the “gunk” out of my eyes. Such is the life of a guy who is allergic to “just about everything,” but even more so when it comes to pet dander.

I didn’t plan it out to end that way, though. All I was trying to do was to let my kids “see Santa” before Christmas came and went.

Monday night, my family planned a trip to Bass Pro Shop in Altoona to see the jolly old elf, based on our experiences the past two years at the Bass Pro Shop in Council Bluffs. During the week, Santa didn’t seem too busy, which meant the kids wouldn’t be rushed and we could take plenty of photos.