The Polar Express

 We love using Advent boxes to count down the days 'til our Savior's birthday! For about half of the days, we include pieces of candy or small toys. For the other half of the days, we insert papers describing an "experience" we will do together (looking at Christmas lights, drinking hot cocoa, playing a game, etc.). Matt and I were SUPER excited about giving the boys one experience in particular ... a ride on the Polar Express!

We left Houston one December afternoon to drive the two hours to Palestine, TX. Ian was SUPER excited! Once we got there, we changed the boys into their pajamas to make the experience more authentic. :) (Almost all of the kids and quite a few adults, too, wore pajamas!)

We had some time to look around the train station before our train departed.

 Finally, the time came for us to board the train! We made sure to sit on the "North Pole side."

 Even Ryan seemed to be very interested in the train!

 The workers brought around cookies and hot cocoa for us to enjoy on our way to "the North Pole." While we enjoyed our treats, we listened to the story of The Polar Express being read aloud.

 Then, the conductor came around to punch our tickets!

 When we arrived at the brightly decorated "North Pole," we could see Santa and his elves out the window. The train stopped for a few minutes so we could enjoy the lights (though our camera didn't take any good pictures ... ha!)

On our ride home, we all sang Christmas carols, danced in the train aisles with the workers, and (best of all!) got to meet Santa Claus and some elves! Santa gave each child his very own bell!

The boys loved it (and so did we parents!). It was definitely an unforgettable experience! Since it's a little spendy, we certainly won't make it an annual tradition, but we'd love to go at least once more in a few years so that Ryan can remember it!