Santa's Village!

When I was a kid, we would go to Santa's Village every summer.  It never got old!  Over the years, they have done a fantastic job of keeping up the buildings, adding new rides, and maintaining beautiful wildflower gardens.  Little paths meander around the woods filled with Christmas music and lead to fun attractions that follow the yuletide theme.  As I have been playing Candyland with Whitley over the past year, I have realized that going to Santa's Village is the closest I have been to visiting the magical board game.  We took our fourth annual trip to Santa's Village in August.  Grammy, Papa, Uncle Dave, Aunt Terri, Uncle Bill, Sandy, Scott, Mychaela, Liam, Mommy, Whitley, and I all had a great time.  The entrance to the place hasn't changed in the 35 years I have been going there.  In this photo, the Watson cousins pose in the sleigh in front of the main entrance.

Uh-oh!  It looks like Liam is already tired on the Christmas music!

Whitley had a bad experience on the Chimney Drop last year.  Her face was the opposite of this.  She had Scott and Aunt Teri along on this ride to keep her safe and brave this time, and it ended up being her favorite ride of the day.  She asked to go back before we left and rode it again.  I think she will be ready for the Tower of Terror in Disney World!

Mychaela and I got in on the action as well.  This ride is so much more fun than it looks!

Whitley loved this swing ride.  She was able to ride it several times without having to get off in between.  She didn't mind that a bit.  Mommy got this action shot while riding with her.  How brave!

Here is a larger picture of the same ride.  You've gotta love the Christmas theme in the middle of the summer!

Whitley took Uncle Dave and Aunt Terri for a ride in an antique car.  What can I say about this picture?  Dave looks very relaxed.  Terri looks like she wishes she had driven.  Whitley seems to feel the need to drive standing up.  She should be ready to drive a Segway.

Mychalea and Scott got to sit on Santa's lap.  I am afraid that Whitley still has some reservations about the big guy.  We hope that she will be ready for him by this Christmas.

The Watson cousins got to sit in this rabbit's lap.  This is another thing that has not changed in all the years I have gone to Santa's Village.   

Whitley had no problem boarding this speedy Himalaya -type ride with her cousin Mychaela.  They look like they are riding it like old pros!

I think that this was taken after the Himalaya ride.  Their eyes are still spinning!

We always go to the reindeer barn.  They have so many of the reindeer, including the eight who help to pull Santa's sleigh (Rudolph never seems to be around).  

We took a sleigh ride all around the park.  We had this picture made into a Christmas tree ornament.  Two years ago we took a similar photo and I think I was wearing the same shirt.  

The Watsons love Santa's Village!