The Day We Cruised to the North Pole

This year, we decided it was time to take another trip to the North Pole via Coeur d’Alene.  We love the Santa Cruise and seeing all of the beautiful Christmas lights from the warmth of a boat.  We started off the evening by eating at Kyle’s favorite brisket joint near the resort… I don’t know the real name, we just call it the “Pork Palace.”

 

Then we headed to the dock to board the boat to the North Pole.  While we waited, a biped Rudolph came by to say hi.  Emily was super excited and nervous all at the same time.  She loved him but wanted him to “go away,” but when he did, she just kept yelling “Rudolph!” because she wanted him to come back and say hi… sort of.

Before too long (meaning before anyone’s eyelids were frozen), we were on the boat and sipping hot chocolate.  The best part is that they served it at a temperature acceptable for immediate consumption.  The first miracle of Christmas…

As a side note, when we were boarding the boat, their were merry little elves there to help you.  They had full elf costumes on and lots of makeup to boot.  As our greeter elf welcomed us onto the boat, Emily looked at her and then back at me and said, “Halloween.”  Awkward.

   

After a nice water tour of the light display, some mocking and teasing from the Grinch who happened to be hanging out on the Boardwalk (the girls LOVED him), we arrived at the North Pole (Coeur d’Alene campus).   We had a great view of Santa and the girls hung on every word he said until he read their names on the “good list” and their little worried hearts were filled with relief.  The funny part was that he said Emily’s name towards the beginning – once he said it, Emily wanted more.  She kept yelling her own name.  It worked, because he said her name two more times.  She was thrilled!  Thank goodness there were two other Emily’s on the boat… the second miracle of Christmas.

  

It really was magical and I loved watching the wonder and awe on their faces.  They are at such fun ages, it really was a perfect night.  Unbeknownst to me, the best was yet to come.

 

As our boat pulled back into the dock, the Grinch was waiting for us.  We even got a picture with him.  The girls all thought he was great from afar, but up close, they decided he was “scary” as Emily repeatedly announced over and over.  But the grand finale came even later…

  

We ended the  evening by going to Kyle’s office – the girls LOVE LOVE LOVE getting to go there and play in what they affectionately refer to as the “button room.”  It is a display room that showcases some of their control panels and other super cool devices.  Everything is plugged in but not connected to anything in particular, so they can push all buttons they want and not hurt a thing.  They come up with some pretty clever games and think that daddy works at the coolest place ever.

We had such a fun night and I am so grateful for my wonderful family and all of the fun we have together.