I can well imagine that Hoss is eager to hand out the gifts and is proud to do so since it was otherwise Adam's job. Ben is very happy about the gift of his sons and considers it the second best gift. But no wonder he considers his 3 sons the best gift he has ever received. Nicely to read that Hoss and Joe believe in Santa after they saw the footprints in the snow.

Wonderful, short Christmas story – well written!

Tracy, if it hadn't been for the Reading Club I'm not sure if I would've read this heart warming story.  And what a missing moment in my life that would've been.  

Being 1st December and Christmas almost on the door-mat the reading was so appropriate.  Your portrayal of the young Cartwrights on a sunny but snow-fallen Christmas morning came across as perfect shiny jewels in their pa's crown. I will not disclose Santa's gifts or what was found.  Let those thoughtful and beautiful discoviers be for another to enjoy as I have.

You mention this as one of your first efforts [just checked the date 2012] I must add to that though I am sure over the past seven years you would yourself have hoped for improvement - though I cannot see how this perfectly special morning could be bettered.   

Ahh, that's a sweet heartwarming family story.

Aww! You made me tear up! The Cartwright boys are so cute I just want to pinch their cheeks.

This short Christmas story is putting me into the right Christmas mood . 

I will put it on my re-reading list for Christmas.

Thank you for another well written story .

Aww such sweet family moments on Christmas morning. Thanks for sharing with us Tracy

What a lovely little story. And what a great father Ben is; encouraging Hoss to read out the names on the gifts in order to help him improve his reading skills.

The boys all loved their gifts and Ben was moved to tears by what the boys gave him.

Even though Christmas has long gone, I am getting that warm feeling Christmas always brings

little Joe forever

lynne

A warm and humorous Christmas on the Ponderosa. Thanks for sharing this one. 

Just lovely

Great little story and only Adam was a great BIG brother to have put those footprints in the snow.  Thanks for sharing with us Tracy. 

What a beautiful story and so heartwarming. I can just see the joy on their faces as they opened their presents.

So Adam got to give the best present of all but Hoss and Joe don't even know that he gave them that present.  Very sweet family story.

This was adorable!  You write so beautifully.  I could just picture the whole scene and how very Adam to leave footprints in the snow.

What a wonderful Christmas story!  Beautiful!

Wonderful little story, Tracy.  It's never too late for the joy of Christmas, especially when it's Christmas on the Ponderosa.  Bless Roy for his generosity. :) 

Loved this Christmas story, Tracy. As I read it, I could see the whole scene of all of them opening their presents and each of their cheerful voices were loud and clear. I thought the footprints at the end of the story had a special and magical ring to it. 

Santa's footprints  good job Adam!!  Love the gift to Ben.   You were a good writer even then. 

Now that gave me the warm fuzzies, sigh.

LOVED it! :)

I had to come back because I forgot to rate it! DOH!

Wonderful Christmas story. Love that the boys gave Ben pictures of his wives and Adam leaving footprints in the snow. Thanks for sharing the story Tracy.

First, how very nice of Adam to have made Santa's footprints in the snow. And if they were my boys, I would have put their pictures in the three frames.

A genuinely heart-warming story. I could picture them in their jammies and robes in front of the fire, opening their gifts. For a first story, this is as wonderful as anything anyone has written who's been writing for years. Thank you for posting so that we, here, could read it.  <3

Loved it Tracy and I liked the way you explained the three pictures of Ben's wives.