December 19, 2009
We went for a ride on the Polar Bear Express (a.k.a. Middletown-Hummelstown Railroad) with the Gill family. The kids were so excited to ride a train all the way to the North Pole and see Santa!
Mark, Raegan, Braden and Bryce tried to get tickets with us, but they were sold out for Sunday, so they went Friday night. They told us the train was a little cold, so we bundled up very warm. Fortunately for us, we were in the seat that had the heater blowing up under our seat. Most of the ride Leaf was in his onesie and Everest in a t-shirt.
The Gill family- Aaron, Heather, Ashlynn and Jack.
Us. Nathan was at his first commencement as a professor so he missed the train ride. Papa opted not to go, he watched the game instead.
Leaf and Nonnie looking at all the Christmas lights outside. The train (literally) went 2-3 miles an hour. (We could have walked to the North Pole quicker!) The conductor read a story called the Christmas Wreath on the way to the North Pole. Then they had an accordion player come into each car singing Christmas songs.
We are finally at the North Pole! You can see Santa's house in the background!
The kids waiting for Santa to walk through the train car. He handed out a book to the older kids and a stuffed animal to the babies.
Happy to finally see Santa and start back home. Everest loved the train ride!
Ashlynn and Everest waiting for Santa to come back through for pictures.
Santa with Everest and Leaf.
Leaf with his polar bear. It is almost as big as he is.
We had fun, but this is not a trip I would take again. It was fairly expensive and VERY unorganized. The idea is great, but we left 30 minutes late. Do you know what it is like to have a train full of 1-5 year old cooped up for 30 minutes waiting to see Santa? It was nuts. We missed our dinner reservations and by the end, all the kids were so hungry. And Santa was quite grumpy. Everest said "Merry Christmas Santa", Santa looked the other way and as he was walking away said "Yea, whatever." Nice!
This was Everest over Christmas. At his age, there is a good reason he should help out cleaning the toilet. Most of the time he tries, but I have been in the bathroom, more than once, when he starts talking and turns his whole body, while peeing. So much fun boys are!
Leaf had to get in on the action. Mom assured me his rag only had water. He had so much fun cleaning the cabinet. He has started wiping himself (most of the time, he wipes his belly, but he is trying) while I change his diaper.
Between watching his brother do this, and watching me do this, Leaf has decided he wants to help clean the toilet. We have caught him with his hands in the toilet, and Everest's toothbrush. He even stole the scrubber from the dishwasher the other day and headed up the steps. I caught him on his way up. He just giggled. He is quick!
Us. Nathan was at his first commencement as a professor so he missed the train ride. Papa opted not to go, he watched the game instead.
The kids waiting for Santa to walk through the train car. He handed out a book to the older kids and a stuffed animal to the babies.
Ashlynn and Everest waiting for Santa to come back through for pictures.
Santa with Everest and Leaf.
Everest was outside playing before we had breakfast. He was out shoveling with Papa. We had breakfast and he wanted to go out again. We decided to go for a walk. (I think it took us as long to get ready as it did to walk!)
Hope you are enjoying some snow too!
They were not kidding about it being the longest parade. It was over 2 1/2 hours. There were more fire trucks than we could count. All of them put on a great show, lights, sirens and horns. The West Lafayette football team won states so they rode on the fire trucks.
After an hour and a half we were all freezing(at least the adults). Luckily there is a lot of room in the bike trailer, we brought every blanket in the house. Everest did not mind especially when his favorite float came by...more exciting than the fire trucks, candy, and Santa.......
