What's wrong with this picture?

We just got back from a weekend in Fairbanks. It's spring break for the kids and I so DH took Monday off and we headed up there for a long weekend spent checking out ice sculptures and Chena hot springs. That may not sound like an ideal spring break, it surely wasn't a typical spring break beach trip, but it's Alaska. You've got to work with what you've got. 

Before our tour of the world ice sculpting championship at Ice Alaska, we stopped at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska. We missed Santa last year. They are only open on weekends after the Christmas season.

 

I guess Santa needs a vacation too.

We followed instructions and took pictures in Santas chair.

 Princess Blondie was a little disappointed that Santa wasn't there but honestly, I think it is a good thing. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep the magic alive if we keep seeing different Santas. She can tell the difference. She already noticed that the Santa at the reindeer farm was shorter than the Santa at Girl Scouts. Heaven forbid this Santa actually have a real beard (and I have a feeling he does at the Santa House. I'm betting they go for authenticity) and I have to try to come up with a reason for that. It was much easier on me this way. She did immediately start to write a letter to Santa when we got back to the hotel though. She asked him for 3 Barbies and 5 cookies. I had to mail it yesterday as soon as we got back. It's never too early to start planning for Christmas.

They had a really neat nativity scene there as well. I found Princess Blondie there poking at baby Jesus. She was pretty enamored with them all. 

My favorite was the angel. I love the way that he looks so curious and has a hesitant hand raised to touch the Savior. This was all new for the angels too.

This was the sign that was above this nativity scene. I like it.

Along with Santa's chair to take pictures in, they also had this giant stuffed moose.

They also have a giant polar bear.

And funny elf hats.

Outside there were reindeer in a pen. The kids weren't all that interested. After feeding them by hand at the reindeer farm, looking at them in a pen just isn't that interesting. There were also ice sculptures of Santa and his sleigh. Princess Blondie had to give the ice Santa a hug. I guess that will have to do in place of the real deal.

Right before we left, I noticed this nativity set for sale, but then something struck me as being a little out of place. Why Tinkerbell was part of this scene, I don't know, but she doesn't look too happy about it. Wings do not an angel make.