Polar Express

Last Thursday, the Adams, Mewhirters, and Heinrichs jumped on the Polar Express to the North Pole to see Santa.  We were all pretty excited to take a train ride ... and the kids were very excited that it would end with a trip to see Santa Claus.  (The idea of Santa is really much more thrilling than actually meeting him ... to two year-olds.)  We were all thrilled that the guys got to get off of work early.  We all barely ever get to see them before 8 p.m. now days!  I picked Billy up from work around 4:30 ... I was hoping to be there by 4:15, but with two kids to pack up ... and with forgetting their jackets ... I'm lucky I even got there 15 minutes late!

All aboard!  We're ready to board the Polar Express!

He's racing to board the train.

We made it on the train.  Ready to ride!

Koki and I are ready, too!

Giggling and having a fun ride with Landon to the North Pole!

Luckily, we arrived at the train on-time, and well before it was to depart for the North Pole.  We met up with our friends and found some seats on the train.  They had the train all decorated for Christmas with lights and carolers.  The kids had fun riding the train through the night on their way to see Santa.  When we got to the North Pole, they had decorated it with lots of lights, and there was music.  We got some food, and then we got in the line to wait to see Santa.

They made it to the North Pole.  The boys ready to see Santa! 

The Adams Family

The Mewhirter Family

The Heinrich Family

We waited and waited in a long, long line to see Santa.  While we waited, Billy went to get us some cookies and hot cocoa.  After we ate our treats, we finally got to the front of the line.  I was worried what the kids would think about sitting on Santa's lap.  Colton had been saying that he wanted to see Santa and ask him for "Boost, Wingo, DJ, and Snotrod" (which are some cars from his movie Cars).  I still wasn't sure if he'd like Santa when he actually saw him.  When we walked in to the house where Santa was, we had to wait in a waiting room for a minute.  As soon as the door opened, Colton raced in and jumped up on Santa's lap.  Before I could even get the camera out, he had already requested his cars from Santa!  He was pretty excited to see Santa.  When Koki got on Santa's lap, well ... it was another story.  She wasn't too fond of him, but she stopped crying for a picture or two ... still looked upset but no tears!

Waiting to see Santa.

Colton was excited to see Santa!  He had a long list for him.

Khloe did okay with the jolly old guy ... she let him hold her.

After we saw Santa, we roasted marshmallows in the bonfires that were around the North Pole.  Then we made reindeer food ... so we can sprinkle it on our lawn, so the reindeer will be attracted to it ... and have something to eat while Santa is in the house. :) Then we boarded back on the train (we were probably at the North Pole for over 2 hours), and we headed back to our cars.  The kids were all excited and happy.  On the ride back, the train blew its whistle several times.  The first time it blew, Landon (who had fallen asleep in Michael's arms), popped his eyes WIDE open and had his mouth WIDE open in a huge surprise face ... it was SOOOO cute!  Then as quickly as he popped his face up with surprise, he flopped his head down on his Daddy's chest and closed his eyes back to sleep like nothing had happened.  It was TOO funny!  The whistle blew a few more times and each time Landon's eyes opened, but nothing was as funny as that first time!  I wish so badly that we had that on video.

Roasting marshmallows in the fire pit.

The North Pole.

Making reindeer food.

Koki helping to make the reindeer food.

Ready to board our train again.

Cole and Mason having fun on the train.

Billy and I enjoying the fun night together.

All in all, it was a really fun evening riding the Polar Express to see Santa.  The kids had a ton of fun and both were zonked asleep before we got home.  What a great time!