The Polar Express

Tonight we had the best time! We bundled up in our pajamas, coats and scarves and headed out into the cold to ride on the Polar Express! Our train departed out of the Grand Canyon Railroad station in Williams AZ. Before we left, we were able to get a few photos with Mrs. Claus in the waiting area. We boarded our train and were served Hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies by the chef on board. Then we listened to the book Polar Express. When we got to the 'North Pole', Santa boarded the train and gave all the kids a jingle bell. On the way home we sang Christmas carols. It was the perfect way to start the Christmas season. I think it will be a yearly tradition for us. Matt and Cait were enamored by everything that happened on the way up and back. Josh, at almost 10, thought he was too old and cool to be there. But I could tell he had a really good time too. Ryan, well, he was a maniac as always. He was up and down the aisles, on and off the seats. The cocoa and cookies didn't even keep his attention for long! Oh my! It was a bit too much for Cait. She threw up twice on the way home. Yuck! I sincerely hope that doesn't become a yearly tradition!

October

Well, we made it through October. It was such a busy month! The monday night before halloween, we carved pumpkins for Family Home Evening. The kids each got their own pumpkin and we spent the evening picking out fun designs, getting the goo out of the middle, and carving up a storm! It was fun to be in Arizona and have the weather cool so that the pumpkins could be on the porch a few days before halloween without getting moldy. On Halloween night, we went Trunk or treating at the church. Josh ended up being Mario this year (again, it's his 3rd time). Matt was a green ghost from packman, but do to a shabby paint job... looked more like a giant pickle, or the cucumber from VegieTales. Cait was an adorable black cat, and Ryan was our brave little Indian Chief. Ryan, at 18 months, wasn't sure what was goin on with the trick or treating thing. But he loved the candy especially the suckers! The kids always have so much fun picking out their costumes and anticipating the candy! Mark and I don't mind it either. It makes us feel like kids again to watch them have so much fun! We like to pick and choose a few treats out of the kids bags at the end of the evening, and the next day, and the day after that! Halloween is the beginning of eating horrible for the rest of the year. But hey, it's the holidays!!!!!