Before Cristmas
Last year we heard about an even in Cour d'Alene called "cruise to see Santa"
This year we decided to check it out.
We stayed at the Cour d'Alene resort and got a package deal that covered the room, 2 meals and the "cruise"
When we Arived we went to a little pizza place attatched to the hotel.
Tucker was so excited.
The entire place was coved in lights to play into the "cruise to see Santa" experience.
Tucker got to make his own pizza.
I helped out a little because Tucker put one sprinkle of cheese on and said he was done.
He really wanted to hurry up so he could watch them put it in the fire.
He eventually calmed down enough to finish his pizza. But then he was concerned because we couldn't get all of the toppings on.
The fire. where they cooked the pizza.
Tucker waiting excitedly for his pizza to be done.
Mom trying to take pictures in a restraunt without a flash to avoid being too much of a tourist.
And.... The hotel.
They upgraded us to a sweat. Nice.
And of all the things to be excited about..... They left CHOCOLATE on our pillows! Tucker was so excited and devoured the chocolate promptly upon entering the room.
Tucker on the lower level of the room by the balcony
Checking out the beds.
Sorry, my camera isn't good with night pictures. But this was the view from our balcony. We didn't think we would need a balcony because it was cold. But it was nice to look out and see all of the lights and the ships going back and forth accross the lake.
Tucker and Kimber watching Rudolph while Dad went to get Grandpa from the airport.
Morning view from the balcony.
Our cruise ships. Waiting patiently until night fall.
I think it should be a given that in winter even the main pool should be heated.
But we had fun anyway.
Kimber was terrified of the grates in the floor, she would run up to them and stop and make you come get her. Eventually she got prave enought to get down on all floors and manuver accross them making sure not to touch them of course.
Silly girl.
Grandpa stayed with Kimber while she was napping and Tucker, dad and I went for a walk arount the dock. Which wrapps all the way around the backside of the hotel.
The bridge on the dock to let the boats out.
Tucker wanted to get on the boat right then and there.
Tucker refered to the hotel as a castle. Looks like one
While we waited for it to get dark, we hung out in the shopping area attached to the hotel.
And then the Sun went down. It was a perfect night. Cold of course, but with just a light snow.
Thank goodness, because the night we got to the hotel was awful.
Tucker and Grandpa getting a candy cane from the nutcracker.
the lights on the walkway down to the dock. They really go all out for this event.
Waiting in line. Tucker was so excited. Then an elf came out to tell us it was time to board the ships.
Even the inside of the "ships" were decorated.
We were the first ones on, so I picked out a nice seat by the window.... but..
Tucker prefered the one by the TV showing Christmas movies... sot that's where we sat and drank out hot cholate.
My appolagies in andvance.
Poor picture quality, but you'll get the idea.
As the boat pulled away from the dock, we passed all sorts of light displays and then the grinch came out to yell at us. He said we shouldn't go see Santa. But our boat didn't mind and we just kept moving.
We went up top while we passed all the lights to get a better look
Gently falling snow as we passed the lights.
We went back inside after passing the lights until we got closer to the North Pole.
As we got closer you could see the Giant Christmas Tree and Christmas island.
Tucker watching intently as Santa came out.
Santa then read the nice list. Tucker and Kimber were on it of course.
Tucker was so excited after hearing his name.
Kimber, not so much
We had a great time. We might have to take this trip again next year.
The next morning Tucker realy wanted to make a snowman. He had watched frosty the snow man on our little Cour d'Alene adventure.
The snow was really dry and I had to use a spray bottle to get it moist enough to stick together. Tucker was so happy about his snow man.
