North Pole Express

Nolan's birthday present this year from us was a family trip to the "North Pole Express." The entire experience is modeled after The Polar Express, but I am assuming there are some copyright issues that don't let them call it the same name. A Christian school in Boston does this every year as their fundraiser and it was really, really sweet. Nolan, of course, LOVES the Polar Express and we only let him watch the movie during the Christmas season. When he saw we had tickets, he thought it was the real deal, just like the movie. He thought a train would come to his house, that mommy and daddy wouldn't come and that the final destination was truly to be the north pole. He never once complained, but asked a lot of questions and I could tell he was slightly disappointed by the fact that it wasn't EXACTLY like the movie. That being said, all three kids were over the moon excited to ride a train, wearing their pj's (all the kids did), drink hot cocoa, have cookies, hear a Christmas story, get a bell, sing Christmas carols, meet elves and of course...Santa!

Waiting at the station to get on the train. Joey's "Cheeeeese" face. On the train! Nolan's pal, Ashlyn, her little sister Jillian and Tara and Sean went too! Joseph didn't really care for the hot cocoa, but Daniel LOVED it!!! He gulped it down! Nolan, too, of course! I love this picture...the kids were told Santa was coming. They watched and waited. And waited...and this is the moment they both spotted him! This, um, was the moment Daniel spotted Santa. He was TERRIFIED!!! Ashlyn and Nolan with Frosty after the train ride.