North Pole Express

My father was so kind to purchase tickets for myself, Joe, Jack and Andy to take a ride on the North Pole Express! We started at the depot. I don’t get Jack’s face. He makes weird faces a lot.

Poor Andy was so tired, but he did awesome the whole time!!

you can tell he was pretty excited.

 

again with the face thing.

 

We watched the train pull into the station. The steam cloud was huge because it was cold. I’m used to seeing it around Labor Day when it’s not cold. So, were assigned to the Snowflake car.

 

Then we got into the car…..

my hubby

Jack

some people

Andy-roo

We rode around a lap and a half and listened to the story of the “Polar Express.” We ended up at the North Pole! Here we would meet the Snow Princess and Santa!

train stopped at the North Pole.

we got our picture taken here-

it was ready for us before we left. It came in a nice North Pole Express card. We got 2 photos, and gave one to my dad.

Santa’s in there!

there were decorated Christmas trees everywhere! This probably took so much time and effort.

this is where we came to pick up our hot cocoa and cookie!! Yum!

an elf

 

we sat and ate on one of the benches around this tree.

this is the Snow Princess. She had a basket of goodies! Andy got a finger puppet penguin (but lost it there somewhere) and Jack got some Skittles.

more trees!! In the room behind the those trees the boys got tattooed-

 

Jack got candy canes

Andy got a snowman

Then we made a craft!

 

Here we are in line for Santa. We waited there an hour. We did this before we got the tats and craft.

 

I wish I could have been up a touch higher! This would have been a cool shot.

There were so many boys! We bought Jack and Andy a train to play with. It worked out well since we had to wait in line so long. This was another thing that was really cool to have running. The boys loved watching the trains.

 

Then it was finally our turn!! Jack could not wait to see Santa! He kept saying “Can I go see him now?” and smiling. When it was finally his turn he smiles HUGE and says “Santa Claus! I have a train!!” And you know what he wants for Christmas? A candy cane, a Christmas tree, a dump truck and a new tractor. Beats me.

 

Andy didn’t really know what to do. But he was good!! He didn’t say he wanted anything, just “yeah” 

“You be good, Andy!”

“You tell that little boy rocking the caboose!”

We left and an elf gave us a bell from Santa’s sleigh! Even Joe and I got one.

 

The boys run around with theirs and Joe’s and mine are on the tree!

We had to load up to get back to the station so the next riders could go.

It was so much fun, and I would like to do it again next year while the kids are still young enough to enjoy it. Probably around 7 or 8 they’ll be too big for it. We’ll probably do it as a gift for the kids. It’s something they’ll never forget, better than any toy for sure.

MOPS and all.

 

  It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged. Ok, not really, but “long” for me. Can you tell I’ve been busy? Anyway, we had our MOPS Christmas gathering yesterday. It was awesome! There wasn’t a guest speaker, instead we listened to the “Behold the Lamb of God” album by Andrew Peterson along with viewing the slide show. Can I just tell everyone.. LISTEN TO IT!!!! You all know the Christmas story, but his words put a new perspective on everything. So poetically and perfectly said! A few little funny lines in there, but really… I have been so moved by this album. I think about things I never thought about before… like, everyone knows Mary was a virgin. But just think about how painful it must have been to give birth as a virgin! As a mom I can relate to Labor of Love so much more now. The birth of Christ is an amazing thing… and this album has really helped me appreciate this even more.

  Mr. Peterson’s album starts before the birth story… way back to the prophets telling of his birth. It’s beautiful. You can listen to the whole thing:

http://andrew-peterson.com/players/btlog/beholdthelamb.html

and please do!!

  Ah, I just love MOPS in general. What an awesome thing. Especially for stay at home moms. Some weeks I live for MOPS. I live for the 1st and 3rd Fridays… hahaha. The fellowship is fantastic. If you can, join  a MOPS group near you. I got my MOPS t-shirt in yesterday as well. I was so excited to wear it today. It’s just so nice to go to a place where women line the couches in the back to nurse their babies while listening to a speaker without a second glance.

Ok, onto my life and my kids… I don’t have any of Andy… next time :)

this was during Andy’s nap time. Jack got the blanket and laid on the floor with his little brother.

some much hated “tummy time”

“i give up, Mom”

“Ok, one more try.”

We did Christmas pictures in front of the tree tonight. It wasn’t anything fancy or big. Just trying to get it done for our cards! It went well. Andy’s the hardest to get to listen at this age. You know what the opposite of “easy” is? “Hardy”. Thank you, Andy. He’ll bring me his shoes and tell me “It’s hardy.” I get a giggle from that every time.

Ok, so who flipped the cold switch? BUR!  I am looking forward to some snow. After New Year’s, it can go away.

  The advent jar is going very well! We looked at lights, got tattooed, watched a Christmas show with popcorn and cocoa, had some candy, and played a game. Well… we haven’t done the game yet, but we will soon.

    Cookie Walk is this coming Saturday!!! I haven’t signed up what I want to make yet. We missed church last week. I want  to make a cake or two, and then a banana bread or two. Or, maybe I’ll do one of each.

  I’m off to edit some more pictures! Have a good one!