The Polar Express

 

This weekend, Anna Claire and Mallory got a very special Christmas surprise ~ a ride on the Polar Express!

We have been keeping this secret from them for weeks. They've known we were going to the mountains, but we didn't tell them we were going to ride on the Polar Express until just before we left for the train ride {not an easy secret to keep!}.

The train ride was a cross between the book and the movie and was wonderful. The conductor punched their tickets and we even had a visit from the hobo. Just look at Anna Claire and Mallory keeping their distance.

We had a sweet waitress who served us the most amazing hot chocolate and muffins, read us the story, helped us search for the North Pole out the windows, and led us in singing Christmas carols.

After arriving at the North Pole, Santa actually got on the train. Look at those smiles as the girls get their first glimpse of Santa. Anna Claire almost jumped out her seat!

 Receiving the "first gift of Christmas"...

 Excited doesn't even begin to describe how they were feeling!

 

 

They haven't stopped ringing those bells asking everyone if they can hear them ringing. This is definitely something they will remember for a long, long time. What a great weekend to officially kick off the month of December and the countdown to Christmas!