Santa at Rosauers, and just about everywhere else

Santa sat in the Rosauers cafe Saturday and listened to request after request from bashful-looking yet gift-hungry youths.

For hours they came, smiles turning serious the moment they were perched on the big man's leg.

One handed Santa an itemized wish list on double-sided notebook paper. On it were requests like the Xbox game console, digital camera, guitar and about 30 other things.

Some told him they already sent their lists by mail.

All Santa had on hand was a box of green and red candy canes. The kids took them. It was a start.

Some brought their own food to Santa. But he never eats in front of them, a sign of modesty in front of his smallest fans.

"I have some who come flying at me with arms out-stretched," he said during a break. "That makes my day."

It was a lot of pressure for one man, and one man who isn't exactly young. But it's pressure he craves.

It's a routine he and Mrs. Claus have repeated 14 times in 14 years.

From Dec. 1, the Christmas couple makes all the rounds - Boys Scouts, fire department, David Thompson Search and Rescue.

On the night before Christmas, they start in the Yaak around 4 p.m., visiting friends, relatives and others. They then head to Libby, working their way through Cedar Creek and Bull Lake. They're not home until 11 p.m.

The stats are impressive - maybe 500 children during the 24 days. About 120 miles on day 24.

They buy the gifts themselves and personally deliver them.

"It's something we love to do. Kids are our thing," he said.

Reindeer may be fast, but his Dodge Dakota pickup is more practical.

"The kids always ask where the sleigh and reindeer are. I've got to come up with something every year."