The Polar Express

Two weekends ago we took the boys up to Williams, AZ where they run the 'Polar Express'.  It was awesome.

While Gavin had no clue what was going on....but could see all the excited kids and enjoyed meeting Santa...... Ayden was super excited about going on the train, reading the book and meeting Santa (again).

[Admittedly, he was probably most excited about playing in the snow.]

We had a very uneventful car ride up. Thankfully, Mimi volunteered to sit in between the boys in the back and I actually got some work done up front - it was perfect (from my comfy front seat view).

When we finally arrived, Ayden was ecstatic to see the train....and the snow.  In fact, we had talked about it so much my eyes actually welled up when I saw the train and the snow and all the lights.  I think I got caught in the "family time moment".

Mimi had arranged for us to have a night at the hotel after the ride, so the first thing we did was get our selves settled into our room.

Yes, that is the color of his hair....no editing done!

My big big boy patiently waiting to go play in the snow.

Daddy and his Gavin

I love how intently Ayden is listening/watching J as he explains how Ayden's new camera works. Ayden has gotten in to taking pictures and rather than having to give him our phones, we bought him his own digital camera (crazy the toys they makes these days). We can even upload them to the computer!!  

He has taken some great shots!

Next, we 'bundled' (Arizona Bundle) the kids up for some snow time fun.  It literally took 4 hands to get Ayden's hands into his gloves....thank goodness we don't have to do this often!!

(Don't worry....it didn't hit him)

Ayden could not have been happier. Despite being frozen because we don't actually own child snow clothes, he played and played and played with Daddy (who was even more cold - but there is really no excuse there expect his own lack of packing and foresight).

At one point Ayden turned to his daddy and said, 

'Daddy, I don't know how to make a snowman..... can you teach me how?'

Love it.

Meanwhile, Gavin, Mimi and I were keeping warm in the gift shop. Gavin found these adorable little snow globes that he proceeded to slobber all over and eventually bust.

But who could blame that innocent face?? 

Bundled in their Christmas jammies and ready for the Polar Express!

All Aboard!!

The boys waited patently for everyone to load and for the train to finally depart.

A little angelic??

As part of the package, they handed out this HUGE cookie for everyone and some hot chocolate.

It was delicious. Gavin (who eats -or whats to eat- everything in sight, got his first cookie ever)

After about 30min of traveling, we reached the 'North Pole' [for you non-believers....it did help that we went through the magic tunnel that popped us out only about 15mins away from the Pole!].

As you can see, Santa was there waiting for us!

It was a late night for Gavin, but thankfully he had his Mimi's shoulder to rest on. 

[I have to admit it is hard to rest when Mommy is constantly flashing lights in your eyes.... but you are just so darn cute and cuddly I can't stand it!!!]

Thank Santa surprised us by jumping on our train!!

He gave each child a silver sleigh bell.

(Here he is presenting it to Gavin)

Ayden was so excited for the whole trip that when Santa actually entered our car and Ayden's eye caught him, he was so overwhelmed with emotion he froze. In fact he turned his back to Santa and just starred out the window for a few minutes as Santa talked to Gavin and some other kids.  Ayden did eventually turn around to receive his bell, but no words came out of his mount (which is a little bit of a miracle in itself) just this look of surprise, confusion and shock.

Gavin LOVED his bell.  He rang it and rang it and rang it.

When Ayden collected himself and found his words, he turned to J and said in a confused somewhat disappointed voice, 

"Daddy, [holding out his bell], this is not my Aarbles."

Priceless.

The trip was picture perfect. Despite not sleeping very well through the chorus of snoring and heavy breathing and the six hour drive each way....we will certainly be doing it again every year for many years to come.

Perhaps you would like to join us??

PS - Notice the number of pictures?!??! This is what happens when I use my real camera (and its only about half of what I took!).