This past weekend we packed up and headed to Lubbock for a weekend of fun! My mom insisted this year that we all go to Polar Express, so we bought the tickets months ahead of time and I am so glad we went. My nephew, Jhett, came down with the flu just days before the trip, so they weren't able to make it. We were so super sad but definitely didnt want that nasty illness passed to us. We had a few extra tickets, so our friends, the Holster's, joined in on the fun.
The kids had so much fun. I don't think they ever stopped smiling and laughing. It was so fun to watch their excitement.
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| The kiddos!! Laney. cousin Aiden, cousin Avery, Kipton and Hadlee :) |
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| Getting ready to board! |
First up we boarded the train. We were told to buy the best tickets available, so that's just what we did. Our train was decked out with all kinds of lights and Christmas decor. It was so pretty. We were at the front of the train and that worked out perfectly.
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| Cousins.... just missing Jhetty Boy :( |
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| My parents and my Memaw and Papaw :) |
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| Our table we shared with the Holster's. |
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| Poor Aunt Mammie and Gage.. always get stuck with the kids. I honestly think she likes it though. She is such a great help to us and so awesome with the kiddos!!! |
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| Our sweet little love bugs!!!! What would we do without them?!? |
After boarding, the cute little helpers on the train started reading the Polar Express story and walking down the aisles showing the page of the book they were reading. They passed out the biggest sugar cookies and hot chocolate to every person on the train. This kinda made me a little nervous with the kids sitting at the other table, but can you believe it not a single spill. haha. Who am I kidding, I was nervous for Aunt Mammie sitting with all the kids with the full cups of hot cocoa ;)
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| Our nifty cups we got to keep :) Another perk to the good seats. |
Next up, all the kids were given a golden ticket upon arrival. The conductor came around and stamped each childs ticket by punching holes making the childs first initial of their name in the ticket. Have I mentioned my childs obsession with his name not being Kipton but being brother bear?? Yup, he even gets angry if you accidentally call him Kipton. So.. the conducter asks him his name... and sure enough he got a "B" in his ticket for Brother bear. Ha!!!!!
Then the train arrived at the North Pole. We all watched out the windows and saw the elves and Santa waving at us. Next thing we know we are headed back to the train station and Santa makes his appearance on the train. I wasn't too sure how Kipton would do. Last year, he only liked Santa from a distance and wouldnt even come close to sitting on his lap. But this year, he was so big. Kipton, excuse me Bro Bear, needed to sit in Mama's lap but he gave him a high five and told him all about his real motorcyle he wanted. LOL. The older kids did great, and Laney asked for a kitten. I'm in trouble because Santa can't bring either one of those things ;)
We had such a great time and will have so many memories for years to come. Hopefully we can make this a yearly tradition.
(Sorry for the grainy cell pics, I'm still waiting on my mom to download the good pics from her camera).
Next up, Christmas activities. Programs and parties are wearing me out, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
