The North Pole Express

As you all know our boys love trains...especially Luke!  So once we decided to move up here I just knew we had to take the kids on The North Pole Express train ride!  It's Grapevine's version of The Polar Express, complete with a real train, Santa, a magic bell, and Christmas songs!  We couldn't take this fun adventure alone, so we invited the Stocktons to join us and they were all in!  It was perfect to experience this together with Taylor, afterall so many of Isaac's first adventures have been with her.

 

 

When we got to town we walked around to find a restaurant, along the way we found the stable with a beautiful nativity scene.  The kids jumped right in to check out baby Jesus and we of course snapped a few pictures.

 

SO EXCITED to get the fun started!  This was while we waited to see Santa!

 

On the train!

 

These two besties are so cute!  She is sure she will marry Isaac one day...I love that!

 

She was trying her best not to smile for this...stinker.

 

Luke was over the moon on this night!!!

 

My sweet boy!

 

The train car.

 

Isaac loves to snuggle his Hannah, they have a sweet relationship.

 

A true friend is hard to find, but I have found one in Kristin...so thankful for our friendship!

 

Getting their tickets punched.

 

Pure joy!

 

Mrs. Clause came on the train to visit with the kids and bring them their magic bell.

 

He couldn't smile any bigger if he tried!

 

 

They were very excited about their magic bells!

 

We made it to the North Pole.

 

We had to get a picture of us, as this was our 11th anniversary!

 

 

So the boys loved every minute of this night, but they were very observant, almost too observant.  Both boys noticed the train went one way out and then back the way it came.  Luke asked Carl, "Is this the way to the North Pole?" as we were heading out.  Of course Carl said it must be.  Then when it stopped and headed back Luke became concerned, why was it going back?  Isaac picked up on the direction, too.  Then at the North Pole they both noticed the snow was coming out of machines, it wasn't real.  I could see Luke studying the snow machines as we walked through...he told Carl he knew it wasn't the real North Pole because the snow was coming out of the air conditioning.  Haha!  Then Isaac was very bothered by the fact that we didn't get back on the train to get back to Grapevine, we just walked out of the north pole and back into town.  Thankfully, they didn't let their observations take away their joy...they loved it!

The train ride was so special and very memorable!  I'm thankful for these fun times with our family and sweet friends.