Winners Visit North Pole

Now THAT was a lot of fun! I just dropped off Megan and Allison, the winners of this year's "Good Deeds @ Christmas" contest.

Rudolph and I arrived just after dark, landing first on the roof of Megan's house. As you can expect, there were quite a few people in the front yard including media. I am guessing it was about a hundred or so kids. Megan's dad had set up a ladder since there was no chimney... plus we had to get Megan up to the sleigh. After I shook hands, gave out hugs, and kissed a couple of babies, I brought Megan and her parents up to the roof with me where they took tons of photos with Rudolph and me. Pretty soon I could here Jingle chirping over the radio that we were behind schedule... so we buckled Megan up and lifted off for Allison's house. Megan screamed for joy the entire way! Clearly she had no fear.

At Allison's house, there were even more people. But they had cleared the street for us. So Rudolph took us in for a nice smooth landing, coming to a stop right in front of the house. Allison ran out full speed and jumped in my arms. Then she leaped over to Megan, hugging her and saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you!".

After the photo opportunities with Allison's family, including her two brothers, Allison and Megan climbed back into the sleigh. Rudolph decided to show off a little and lifted off in a near vertical rise. I felt my stomach jump into my throat it was so fast but as I looked at the girls, they were grinning ear to ear. Rudolph made one quick loop around the house, giving the girls a chance to wave and then it was a straight line for the North Pole.

As we left the Vancouver area, I put special high-tech warming blankets over the girls to make sure they didn't get cold. I also served them hot chocolate from my on-board hot chocolate machine. They loved it. And just as they finished the last drop, we began our descent.

Both girls gasped as we came out from the clouds and the magical lights of the North Pole Village glimmered below. As many times as I have seen that sight, it never grows old. It always amazes me. I can only imagine what it must be like for someone seeing it for the first time.

We touched down on the launch pad at the Flight Operations Center. Jingle and all the other reindeer on my #1 reindeer team were waiting. I introduced everyone... the girls hugging Jingle and each of the reindeer as I made the introductions. After introductions, Jingle hurried us all off to staff meeting. I explained to them that they were going to get to sit in one of my Christmas week staff meetings. They were so excited. And they were full of questions as we walked from the Flight Operations Center to the main HQ building. Wide-eyed and firing questions. I tried to answer as many as I could while keeping pace... we were already late for staff meeting.

When we got there, each of my senior staff introduced themselves. Each had a small gift they had personally made for each of the girls. The girls could barely sit still they were so excited as we began the staff meeting. It was a typical agenda for this time of year... update on Christmas Eve weather forecasts, naughty and nice high level review, and status reports from all areas. I was very pleased that the girls were able to hear that everything is right on track. We are well on our way to the best Christmas Eve ever.

Staff meeting only lasted 30 minutes. We have to be crisp and to the point this time of year. Every minute is valuable. From staff meeting we walked back to the house. Mrs. Claus was waiting with cookies and hot chocolate. The girls jumped into Mrs Claus' arms. They kept saying how surprised they were that she looked so young and so beautiful... not at all what they had pictured. They had even more questions... which I didn't think was possible... for Mrs. Claus. So we all sat down with hot chocolate and cookies (peanut free as Allison is allergic) while Mrs. Claus answered the questions as fast as the two girls could fire them off.

After about 45 minutes, Jingle came in and reminded me we needed to get going if the rest of my night would remain on schedule. Mrs. Claus said she wanted to come along for the ride back... the girls practically burst with excitement at learning Mrs. Claus would go along for the ride. So we all headed back, loaded up, and took off. Rudolph gave us a much tamer lift off this time. He made a low pass over the Village Square as we started to head out. The girls looked down in the square to see thousands of elves waving good bye.

As we approached Vancouver, I asked Rudolph to make a couple of quick circuits around town so the girls could see the city the way I do... plus none of us were ready for this to end. There are very few things I enjoy more than seeing kids get so much enjoyment as they did from this sleigh ride. It really warms the heart. I am convinced this is what keeps me young and alive.

We did eventually set down at Allison's house. Megan's parents were there as well so we dropped both girls at that point. They gave Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and me big hugs. "I will see you in 48 hours or so", I said. "But you won't see me. I won't be back until you are asleep. Those are the rules of Christmas Eve. Now be good!" We hopped in the sleigh and headed back.

I am writing this post on the trip back. We are almost back to the North Pole. It was so much fun. Rudolph and I will drop Mrs. Claus off, pick up Jingle, and head to a mall in Honolulu... so much left to do today.

Be good! Santa Claus is coming to town.