Polar Express!

This year the Bex Family asked us to join them on the Polar Express in Hood River. We were all (especially Abby) excited to join them. This last Sunday we all boarded the train and took off to the North Pole in search of the big man himself.

But first, I have to share this photo that is kinda off topic. This is Andy, Brynn, and Marshall waiting in the train depot while the older two girls were visiting the bathroom. Nothing wonderful about it, but I LOVE how it reads like a comic strip of "who did it".




Anyways, once it got to be 1:30, we boarded the train and got all snuggled in for the long ride! We were going ALL the way to the North Pole you know...

Andy LOVED standing up and looking out the window while we were waiting to leave. He pointed at all the cars passing on the freeway. Check out the bottom left photo - that is the look on his face when the train started to MOVE. Priceless I tell you. Priceless.

First thing they do is come thru w/cookies and hot chocolate while singing the Hot Chocolate song from the movie. Abby really enjoyed singing along to that. Andy was still a little suspect of the moving train and dancing people.

Conductor punching the kids tickets while they read the story over the speakers....

Once we got to the North Pole, the big man himself boarded the train and visited w/each child as they received their bell.

Check out the bottom left photo - yes, he is giving him a high five... Priceless.

The kids were so excited to receive their bells and see if WE could hear them as well. I love the top center picture of Laci jingling her bell for Travis to hear. Love the look on all their faces.

Then, I think all the sugar kicked in. They all went a little "bell-silly". So cute though!

This is probably one of my favorite pictures... What else is a girl supposed to do w/a new bell than to find a way to accessorize w/it?

The boys you ask? Well, they kept busy as well...