’Twas the night before Christmas, 2008. The Ortegas — Joseph, 80, and Alice, 70 — were hosting their annual Christmas party at their Covena, California, home, about a half hour east of Los Angeles. There were 25 people in attendance, including Joseph and Alice’s five grown children, their spouses and children.

In the dining room, the adults were playing a late-night game of Texas Hold ‘Em while the children were all playing with their new games and gifts.

At 11 p.m. there was a knock on the front door, and the squeal of an 8-year-old girl happily crying, “It’s Santa Claus! It’s Santa Claus!” was heard as she peeked out the front window.

Little did the family know that this was no ordinary visit from Santa Claus.