His first experience in the snow proved to be exhausting for 19-month-old Kieren Andreasen, shown here falling asleep on the shoulder of his dad, AM1 Finn Andreasen of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 55.
Matthew Vizzo, 2, enjoys a cookie he helped decorate at Winter Wonderland. Matthew came with his grandma, Janet Alvarez, an information and referral specialist at the Fleet & Family Support Center.
Photo by Andrea Howry / Lighthouse
Jaxon Workman, 4, takes aim at Winter Wonderland, an annual event at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, that features games, a marshmallow roast and 42 tons of snow. More than 1,200 people attended on Dec. 15, the same day a mechanical failure knocked out power across the installation. Jaxon is the son of EO1 Brent Workman of Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center.
Madilyn Sprague, 2, gets ready to throw a snowball in the toddler area at Winter Wonderland. Madilyn is the daughter of Rebecca and BU2 Charles Sprague of the 31st Seabee Readiness Group.
Hundreds of children with parents in tow visited last month’s Winter Wonderland — an event that proved to be, literally, the only bright spot that day at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme.
The annual event next to the Youth Center was held Saturday, Dec. 15, the same day a mechanical failure took out power at NBVC Port Hueneme from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
As a result, more than 1,200 people flocked to the event to not only play in 42 tons of snow but also to avail themselves of the free hot cocoa and marshmallow roast.
“We had generators up, and we rigged the bathrooms with flashlights,” said Amber Melendez, the coordinator of Child and Youth Programs at NBVC Port Hueneme. “The only thing we couldn’t do was serve Frito boats.”
Frito boats were the last thing on anyone’s mind as kids tossed snowballs, decorated cookies, had their faces painted and sat on Santa’s lap during the free event that started at 3 p.m. and ran well past dark, ending just before the power came back on.
Cassandra Hudson came for the second year in a row with Brody, now 1, and Kiley, now 3. This time, she also brought her husband, Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Zachary Hudson of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, who was deployed during last year’s Winter Wonderland.
“We did this last year and had lots of fun,” she said. “It’s a lot easier with two adults.”
Parents jumped at the chance to introduce their little ones to snow.
“It’s his first time,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Finn Andreasen of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 55 as he watched 19-month-old Kieren experience the touch, taste and sight of snow. “We’re from New Orleans, where it has snowed twice in the last 60 years.”
Other families enjoyed the snow thankful that it was only on the CYP grounds and not in their driveway.
“We spent three and a half years in Wisconsin,” explained Equipment Operator 1st Class Frankie Cruz of NMCB 3, who came with his wife, Erika, and their 7-year-old, Chevelle.
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