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.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Tonight enjoyed an evening at the town Christmas Tree Lighting.  It was more fun than I expected, really sweet small town fun.  They had cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider to snack on while everyone visited in the pavilion.  Then we all gathered around the tree, where they introduced four of the town's former mayors.  One was real sweet/silly, he talked to me and the kids quite a bit...he moved here in 1975, when they moved to town they raised the population by 5%, since they had 9 kids!  Then a young man sang two nice Christmas songs, followed by everyone singing a couple more.  Last we all sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and as we sang a fire truck pulled up, and of course Santa got out!!!  The kids were not expecting that, so they were thrilled!!!  Hannah loves Santa, but is a bit nervous to get too close.  Haha!

 

Waiting for the fun to start.

 

Luke's face when he saw Santa get out of the fire truck.

 

Hi Santa!

 

Luke was quick to jump up in his lap and talk...he was sure to mention that he wants a green remote control helicopter.

 

Smile!

 

The town tree!

No more...

This girl is getting so big, so fast!  Last month she mastered another big milestone...she's officially potty trained.  She started wearing panties on Oct. 15, and I still can't believe it!  She is funny when she potties, she often describes what's going on...for example when she pees she usually says, "It's like a water slide!"  And when she toots, she says, "That was just air." She's also learned the art of relaxing and taking her time to poop, I just leave her in there and she calls me when she's done...she sounds just like her brothers when she yells, "I'm DONE!"  She's been listening all this time, she knows the drill.  Haha!

This means that for the first time in 6.5 years I do not have to pack diapers in my bag when we leave!  It's so exciting, but also a bit sad for me.  I miss having a baby in the house, but I'm so proud of my girl for mastering this!

Soccer 2014

 

Our soccer star!

 

The team!

 

Go Isaac!

Goalie!

 

He stopped it!!!

 

Isaac had a great soccer season!  He really enjoyed it, and learned a lot!  He was more confident and had a better understanding of it all, and he put forth his best effort.  We are so proud of him for working so hard, doing his best, and finishing a great season!  His favorite position was goalie, and he did well at it!  He likes it because it's not as much running and I think he feels like he understands it the best.

Halloween 2014

This Halloween was different, much quieter than we are used to, but it was still a fun night with our little family!

We had pizza for dinner, then headed out to trick or treat.  We had no idea what to expect.  Our neighborhood was pretty quiet, but there were enough people home and passing out candy to make it fun!  We even ran into two of Isaac's school friends, so that was great to get to meet them and their parents.

 

 

The littles being silly.

 

Princess Anna

 

Ironman

 

Isaac

 

Our princess was well protected by her superhero and police officer.

 

We even managed to get a family shot!

 

Precious moments that go by too fast!

 

 

An Afternoon in the Country

A few weeks ago we had a super fun day!  We went to visit our friends Kristin, Linc, and Taylor at Kristin's parent's house here in North Texas.  They raise cattle, chicken, have tractors, and gators...a little boy's dream!  As you can imagine, we had a blast out there!  The kids played on the hay bales (jumped and ran all over them), fed the chickens, collected the eggs, and Isaac drove the tractor.  It was a fun time experiencing many new things and visiting with best friends!!!

 

 

Isaac driving the tractor with Papa Bob...they were teasing Taylor trying to make her think they were going to drop that big feeder on her Jeep.

 

Driving the tractor was the highlight of Isaac's day, maybe even his year!

 

We fed the chickens, Hannah was a little nervous at first, but then she warmed up to them and had a great time!  She's talked a lot about the chickens since this day.

 

Having a blast!!!

 

Collecting the eggs...Hannah just wanted to eat them all right away!  She must have asked Grandma Sue a hundred times, "Can I please have an egg now?"

 

This boy has gotten so big and so brave, he won't let any chance pass him by...even a chance to hold a chicken!

 

Gator ride to check out the property...during this ride they saw a brand new baby bull, who they named Isaac.  That night another baby was born, a girl, so they named her Hannah, and a few days later a boy, who they named Luke.  The kids tell everyone about their cows that are named after them...it's so special.

 

In his element...

 

the BEST of friends!

 

Love these two and their special friendship!

 

Run and Jump!!!

 

Daddy and his girl...

 

Isaac has become quite the monkey, he climbs, run, and jumps on everything!

Taking a drive together.

 

A beautiful sunset to end the night.

 

We had such a fun afternoon/evening out in the country, we are so thankful for their hospitality and fun times.

A few days later Isaac and I had this conversation:
Isaac - I want to move to the country, do you?
Me - Maybe, it would be fun.  But we'd have to move to another part of town and move schools.

Isaac - Why?
Me - They don't have land like that around here.

Isaac - Well that's okay.  Can we live down the street from Papa Bob and Grandma Sue?
Me -  That would be fun, why do you want to live there?
Isaac - So I can walk over and visit them whenever I want to.

 

We are so thankful the Lord has blessed us with amazing friends; friends who are more like family.