All Aboard!

This past Saturday we were able to go to the Polar Express train ride in Williams, Arizona, about 30 minutes outside Flagstaff. We had been planning this trip since June, when we bought the tickets. We decided that instead of a birthday party with their little friends this year, we would use the money to go on the Polar Express. 

The day started out bad, because we left at 9:30 am and by our scheduled train ride at 3:30, we still weren't there. It's only a 3 hour car ride from our house but we got into a bad, bad blizzard. I was praying and praying in the back seat. We weren't sure if we should turn back, get a hotel in Flagstaff, or keep going. I called the train and they hadn't cancelled the ride, but we missed our ride by the time we got there. Jonathan and I were both stressed by this point, and Sami and Janie were just excited about the snow.

But there were several miracles, and we were able to get on the 5:30 train. 

And it was magical.

The girls loved meeting Mrs. Claus. She made us cookies and hot chocolate for the train ride (or so they said, *wink* it tasted like Costco cookies to me but what do I know.)

  

The professional photographers couldn't come in because of the snow, so we were able to take pictures of the "professionally posed" Santa for free. Awesome! 

Santa asked Sami what she wanted for Christmas, and she said she didn't know and then felt embarrassed that she didn't know. I haven't encouraged the girls to write lists, because they get what I get for them at yard sales and clearance, but she decided she wants a doll and a polly pocket. Perfect! (I happen to have both in my present closet, just waiting to get wrapped.) We assured her that we would cell phone Santa and let him know. But she has been writing him letters, just in case the cell phone didn't go through. She's a  smart one. 

I love this picture of Lucy looking at Santa. It really is a magical time of year. 

I didn't get any good pictures of the train ride, mostly due to tired kids. But it was neat and the girls were troopers, especially Lucy. We asked a lot her of her, and she did great. I am so glad we got to do this before we move away.

And it reminded me that I need to get boots, hat, and mittens for the girls when we move to Omaha. I forgot how cold the cold is.