Polar Express

Our little elf, Zelf, brought us tickets for the Polar Express!

Apparently, they must call "jammies" "jimmies" in the North Pole. I think Zelf's computer might be set on "auto correct". He needs to proof read his work!

Tickets! Admit One!

We went with some friends of ours. Raychel and Grady just love each other. He is so cute when he calls Raychel, "Roo"...her nickname.

It's a shame the two of them weren't excited. Ha!

Leah

Baby Colin

We sat with Grady and "Dramma" (Grady's Grandma). The train filled up so fast. We were all scrambling to get some seats...any seats. Didn't really matter if we were ALL together or not.

Dramma and Grady

A couple of cuties

Anna and Leah found some seats with Nana and Papa.

Enjoying some delicious hot chocolate. It was the perfect temperature when they handed it to us.

Listening to the Polar Express story.

Cheers, girl.

The hobo trying to tell us Santa isn't real, but we told him we believe!

Waving to Santa at the North Pole.

Anna

Love this picture!

SANTA!

Receiving a bell...the first gift of Christmas.

What a fun evening! I love this stage of life. The girls get so excited, and they love the new experiences. Grady and Colin are two of my little guys I watch, and I have come to absolutely adore them and their family. Grady wasn't too excited about the Polar Express until I told him that "Waycho" (Raychel) was going. Then he could not wait! I love how Raychel gets to experience being a "big sister" to someone quite a bit younger than her.

James and I were laughing during the ride though the beautiful Northern Nevada terrain. We were like, "On the left you can see the lovely Cathouses that make Nevada...well...Nevada! On the right you will see a plethora of trailer parks. All the way around us, you will notice the lovely landscape...dry and dead." HAHA!! Next year, we'll go when it's dark. ;-)

Side note: My dad and James were like, "So is wearing your pajamas part of this or something?" Uhhh...seriously?

I'm wondering when Raychel is going to break the news to me that she knows all this Santa stuff is a farce. I can tell she really and truly wants to believe, but her analytical mind just won't let her. She's been asking me some pretty deep questions about the logistics of this "magic". AND it doesn't help that I open my fat mouth and start blabbing; forgetting she's standing nearby! (IE: I made mention to someone that I bought the Polar Express tickets back in September when I should have remembered that Santa gave them to Zelf to give to us). Ugh. I hate when I do things like that. Anna and Leah are quick to dismiss any doubt, but I always see those wheels turning in Raychel's little head. We can both pretend she still believes. That's ok with me!