Reindeer Festival

Dwayne’s parents live in Brasil and can’t exactly “pop” over for the holidays.  But they sent us some money to get gifts for the kids.  I thought a Santa train experience would be perfect, as did everyone else, which is why all three in the Puget Sound area were completely sold out long before I even considered looking.  Then we found the Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo, where Santa’s reindeer actually live year round! 

We learned that Rudolph, the youngest reindeer, is only about 1500 years old.  He has a red nose, but in this age of energy conservation, he only uses it at night during the training flights so the reindeer can see.  He (but actually she, as the females usually keep theirs longer) has an impressive set of antlers and the kids feed him/her and teammates apple pieces.

I think this old warrior is Blitzen.  He’s the oldest buck whose rack is so mature that it actually forms what are called eye guards—pieces to protect his eyes during the reindeer games.  (Cupid was down to one set of antlers, as she didn’t come off so well in said games.)

 

Santa welcomed visitors at the top of Reindeer Peak.

 

Hey, kids, is this exciting?!

In Santa’s workshop, kids could write letters to Santa and put it in the mailbox right there, or just draw him a picture. 

 

The rest of the zoo included Bengal tigers, emus, lemurs, cranes, and some alpacas and mule deer.  It’s a small zoo, but they add an “Enchanted Forest” of animal statues to stretch in the entertainment.

 

All the animals got to explain how they help Santa get ready for the big day.  The tigers share their stripes to make candy canes, and the alpacas are the reindeer for the Southern Hemisphere. 

 

Say cheese, Pipes!

 

Aw, shucks. 

 

I want this sign in our house.

 

Piper and Wesley feed the alpacas until our quarters ran out.  Kyla thought it would be better to keep her fingers than give these animals more treats.

 

All gone!

 

It’s never a complete trip until we all stick our heads in the alligator’s jaws.

 

Crunch.

 

Our ’appy family!

 

Thanks for the fantastic family adventure, Grandma and Grandpa!  We loved it and love you!

The End.