The Polar Express

We had the opportunity to ride on a train on Saturday night. It wasn't any ordinary train either. It was ....

THE POLAR EXPRESS!!!!!!

Yes, we got to go to the NORTH POLE and pick up Santa!!! It was so much fun....for the kids and the adults too!!

Hailey, Ryan, Chris, Kari, Doug, Doran and I left in the afternoon on Saturday to drive to Lewistown, MT. After a quick stop at Pamida (oh the fun!) and a change of clothes for Ryan and Hailey into their pajamas, we made it to the train!!

We were all so excited that Mrs. Claus was waiting for us...and the elves were on the train waiting for us to board too! Finally it was 4:30 and we were allowed to board the train.

After we got settled on the train, it was finally time to start moving!! The kids were very excited to watch the sunset as we moved toward the North Pole. I am not the only one that wanted to take pictures either!!

Then it was time to listen to one of the elves read "The Polar Express" book. The kids went right there and sat so good. Of course Ryan had a few comments during the reading... "I can climb that mountain all by myself" was one to a picture of a mountain :). Then it was time for hot cocoa and cookies! YUMMY but HOT! :) Ryan of course didn't want anything, but Hailey sure enjoyed it :)

The kids started on writing their letters to Santa after that. Both of them worked hard on their letters...

Then...we began to slow down....and looked out the window to see...THE NORTH POLE!! It was on the side that the kids were sitting on. We looked outside and saw the elves coming out of one house, and they ran over to another house. And, guess who came out of that one?!?! YEP...SANTA!! Ryan was waving so fast!! Santa waved back too :) Then, Santa made his way to the train and came aboard. We started on our way back, and it took some time for Santa to make it to our train car. During that time, the kids finished their letters, got a candycane from Mrs. Claus, worked on some puzzles, sang songs, and just had a great time. Then, Santa came!!! He talked to both Hailey and Ryan, and then gave them both a bell like in the story. He even signed our "The Polar Express" book!!

(enlarge the second picture and you can see the North Pole out the window!!!)

We made it back to Lewistown and our journey was over. What a fun 1.5 hours!!! I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to anyone and everyone (it isn't just for the kids ;) ).

Here is our book from the trip, and the box and bell the kids got too.

Merry Christmas!!