Polar Express

Phew, vacation sure is fun but sometimes life is extra hectic when you get back.

Christmas was great.  While we have enjoyed finally making our own family traditions we broke our two year streak and went to Silverton this year.  Grammie treated us to a trip on the 'real' Polar Express, a very special evening for all.

The train arriving with the requisite "apron of steam."

 Yup, it really IS the Polar Express!

 The conductor asks the little boy if he believes...

 All aboard!  The cars were trimmed with lights, garland, and trees.  FFM was decked out in jammies and robe.  First order of business, HOT chocolate of course!  FFM sang along and probably would have jumped up and danced if he'd had room.

 One of our two HOT chocolate servers.  They sang and danced and guided us on our trip.

 Oh ho!  It's the conductor.  Who punched a special pattern in the kids' special golden tickets.

 The train bumped along for a while, then gave a lurch (that lurch was especially important to FFM), the lights all went out, and then we arrived at the North Pole!  Santa was there to greet us and after we saw all the lights and elves at the North Pole we turned around.  After the turn around Santa himself boarded the train to meet all the girls and boys.  All the kids got a bell from Santa's sleigh, just like in the book.

On the way back to town we all sang carols and the kiddos came down from their highs.  The production was very well done, just the right amount of time for kids and adults alike, and heaps of fun.  FFM is STILL talking about it and will gladly bend your ear if you give him half a chance (just ask the lady in line next to us at King Soopers last week).