All Aboard!

Since Matt and I rarely venture past our neighborhood on any given weekend, heading to Williams to ride the Polar Express last Saturday was a big day for us. Owen was so pumped about his "big trip." We had been reading the Polar Express every day for a couple of weeks and telling Owen that he was going to go to the North Pole on a train too. On the morning of our adventure, I went to Owen's room and told him today was the day, and he threw his paci out of his mouth (a really big deal since it usually requires much prompting for him to let it go) and leapt straight into my arms. "Time now!" Owen shouted.... aww... it was priceless.

We skipped naps in hopes they would nap in the car on the 3 hour drive up to Williams, which they did for a bit... but not long enough. Chloie started a crying fit in the midst of desolate mountains.... but God provided a rest stop for us at the perfect time. Ten minutes out of the car, and everyone was happy again.

When we got to the quaint little town of Williams, there were so many Christmas lights. Owen's excitement poured out. He could not wait to get his clothes off and into his jammies like all the other kids. I've never seen him so excited about putting them on.



We boarded the train, and the magic began. Songs and cookies and hot chocolate (which Owen strangely didn't want anything to do with). Daddy's favorite part was the cookies. I'm pretty sure he asked me twelve times if we were going to get another one. And I ask myself, "Who is my biggest baby?" Even though it was Chloie's bedtime, she was so excited by the lights and music, that she just took it all in. When we reached the North Pole, Santa boarded our train. Owen was a little scared trying to scoot all the way towards the window. But Santa was so kind. He gave Owen five and knucks and talked to him for a good little bit before giving him and Chloie their special bells. The kids shook them and shook them... oh, the magic of Christmas!

The drive home was a piece of cake... not a peep from the babies as dreams of the North Pole danced in their beautiful little heads.