Visiting Santa – The Wharton Adventures

Christmas is only a few weeks away and we have traditions that we must keep up with! Ok, that sounds very serious but since our arrival in Washington we have found some wonderful new traditions as a family. So this year we were off again to Port Gamble for their holiday fair and a trip to see Santa.

This year was fun. We arrived earlier than we have in the past and it made a huge difference. The girls had the chance to do all of the arts and crafts stations in Santa’s house, which included cookies, ornament making, pine cone bird feeders and more! Most years we have arrived fairly late in the afternoon and everything is a zoo. Its pays to be early!

Our usual Santa was not there this year, which was a bummer but the man who came in was very nice. It seems as though things were a little bit scaled back this year, maybe based on last years turn out? Because the crowds had not shown up yet, the girls had the chance to talk a lot with Santa and he certainly made them giggle with silly jokes and songs. Mommy and Daddy also had the chance to hear what they wanted for Christmas, as they haven’t been very helpful on that front.

Abby and Ellie with Santa

Santa had something pretty funny to say!

Making yummy Christmas cookies!

Little cookie monster making her cookie creations.

One of Ellie’s cookie creations… we had to make her finish the other one first even though she wanted to stop and eat the one she had already made.

Abby was very detailed and serious about her cookies. She wouldn’t turn around and smile for me!

Abby’s finished cookies. That’s an upside down silly face on the cookie to the right.

After cookies and crafts it was off to explore some of our favorite shops while we waited for the tree lighting ceremony. Because of a storm that had blown through just several days before, the usual tree was out of commission but the lighting with Santa was still fun for the kids and the anticipation of fireworks kept the fun going.

And there was anticipation…

Lots of it…

Because of winds and some issues setting up, the fireworks were delayed by nearly half an hour. Luckily, we had hot chocolate, warm coats and several shuttles full of people from the local retirement communities to keep us amused. (Apparently they couldn’t find two of the residents, who ended up being on the shuttle the entire time but had fallen asleep. They also took a vote to stay and wait for the fireworks or leave and go home and just as they decided, the show started. It was fun).

The fireworks were fun and pretty. They changed things up a bit this year too! Afterwards we hopped back into the car to warm up and then headed out to find some much needed dinner.

Now that the girls are getting older, I have to say we get the chance to enjoy these events and traditions a bit more. This was the first year that I didn’t feel stressed out and chaotic. I hate to see the girls growing so fast, I really do. I miss their baby faces and toddler years. But I will say that I am enjoying these new stages in their life. The ability to enjoy things with them more, talking with them, and having a greater appreciation with one another. I find that if I learn to stop and appreciate every stage and moment, watching them grow before my eyes hurts a little less. But only just a little.

Now we count down to Christmas!

I think that it has become very apparent that one of our favorite places to go is Port Gamble. Its small, charming and has a great sense of community. So when we discovered that Santa would be visiting Port Gamble and there would be some fun festivities to go along with it, we were there! We spent the afternoon in the shops, visiting Santa’s workshop and taking part in the tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. It was a great afternoon and evening. Another fun Wharton Adventure in the history books!

Walking the road, singing her own Christmas songs.

Enjoying a stroll with daddy, talking about Santa and his reindeer.

Ellie was so excited to see Santa, I thought she might explode.

At first Ellie was a little shy but then she had plenty to say to Santa. There was a huge line behind us but Santa let her talk and tell her stories. So sweet!

Big smiles with Santa

So happy to see Santa and tell him all their hopes for Christmas, like Abby’s Barbie Dreamhouse.

Making their own Christmas cookies.

Ellie went all out with the cinnamon dots.

Abby loved the cinnamon dots too as well as all the red and green sprinkles that she could handle.

Abby’s finished cookie product. Yummy!

Ellie’s finished cookie product. Yummy!

We closed down Santa’s workshop and stopped for one last picture before we left. I wonder where Santa is off to now?

What a fun afternoon with Santa. Don’t fret though, there is still more to come!

We decided to take a little walk around town to kill some time before the tree lighting. Ellie kept looking for Santa too. I don’t think he is here though.