The Polar Express

So, after the funeral on Saturday, we had the opportunity (thanks to Uncle Bobby and Aunt Amanda!) to take the girls on a train ride on the "Polar Express". They had tickets but a few of their ticket holders got sick last minute, so they offered up the tickets to us! Of course, we were sooo not prepared. We were all in dress clothes (for the funeral). I didn't even have my camera!!! :O *gasp* The horror! But, who would've thought I would've needed it at a funeral???

Anyway, we decided we probably wouldn't have the opportunity again, so we jumped on it. We stopped at the local WalMart, picked up a disposable camera (yuk), and a set of flannel PJ's for the girls that happened to still be on sale from Black Friday. It was cold and we had blankets, but they were not really dressed for the weather...at all. In fact both had been wearing short sleeves. And it was cold!

So we took our stuff and headed an hour away (from where we were for the funeral) and met up with Bobby and Amanda, Brian and Lori, and Lori's son, Ivan.

If you've never seen the movie The Polar Express, you won't understand much more of this. But it's a really good movie and everyone should watch it. There's my plug. Had I known we were going to go...I would've had the girls watch the movie ahead of time. But yea. Didn't have that fortune. However, Brooke did remember the whole story from last year.

We got there just in time to board the train. We had our tickets punched (though they didn't punch in any fancy fashion like in the movie :( )When we started it was barely daylight..just at dusk. The attendants (dressed alike with white coats and chef hats, like in the movie) served hot chocolate and rice krispie treats. Then the story was read aloud through the speakers while they held out books for the kids to see. Shortly after that, we arrived at the North Pole! It was lit up with Christmas lights and such, complete with live elves and more. And of course, Santa was there! And lo and behold, as we headed back to the train depot, Santa himself got on the train to visit each and every kid on the way back. While we waited for him to arrive on our car, they passed out a songbook and invited the kids to sing and dance along to several Christmas songs.

Then Santa arrived on our car and spoke (briefly) to each kid and handed them each a bell (just like in the movie!). The bell is very good quality...very heavy. And just like in the movie, Brooke lost her bell...temporarily. ;P She was sure to tell him very quickly what she wanted for Christmas. Brenna didn't say much. She was too awe stricken I think.

We arrived back at the depot, took a couple of pictures and then headed home. The girls loved it and we were so thankful to Bobby and Amanda for letting us crash their Polar Express train ride!!

Here's the (not so great) pictures. So bummed I didn't have a real camera. But this was better than nothing I suppose..