Cruisin' with The Traugers and Santa

I love to start new traditions and last year we found this Cruisin' with Santa thing and we really liked it so we decided to do it again this year. I liked it better than battling the crowds like we did a few years back for the Santa Train. Plus the girls get more interaction with Santa, which is what I like.We met in Old Town at the waterfront at lunchtime and while we waited for the water taxi, we got to eat cookies and drink Hot Cocoa. The girls were all very excited and therefore, it was hard to get a good picture of the three of them together.Before boarding the boat, the girls all got their picture taken with Santa and then we got on and waited for Santa to get on as well. During the ride to National Harbor, Santa read stories to the children and they got to take turns sitting in his lap. Jasmine totally loved it and loved being with Marin & Kirsten. She really misses the days when she used to go to the Trauger's house every Thursday night while Mommy went to choir practice and has recently threatened to move out of our house and run away to Kelleen's house! I bet they would just love that!Once off the boat and out of the cold at the Gaylord hotel, we walked around taking in the Christmas wonderland and finding the hidden stuffed Peeps. They hid these giant stuffed Peeps all over the hotel, high and low and we tried to find them all.
We watched the water fountain show (where Jasmine got pretty wet from standing too close) and the model train as well.
We then had lunch at the sports pub restaurant that they have in the hotel. It was ok but it was better when we ate there last year.
We then walked around outside and took some pictures of the family by the big tree. The girls also played on the statue of The Awakening that was moved from Haines Point to National Harbor a couple of years ago.
On our way back, we caught part of a cheesy Christmas show that some people were performing by the tree on an outdoor stage. The girls seemed really into it.
Finally, it was time to head back to the pier and catch the water taxi back to Old Town. We were all pretty tired but agreed that it had been a fun day. I think this is one I will have to do again next year!