The Polar Express

Ok, so you all know that our Christmas is not complete until we have ridden the Polar Express. This is our fifth year doing this as a family. You can click each year to see our past Polar Express trips. 2006 (didn't have a blog yet), 2007, 2008, 2009. We arrived to Williams, AZ and checked into our hotel. We then watched the Polar Express Movie to give the kids a refresher before we experienced the real deal. We then got the kids in their new Polar Express Jammies and headed out. We went in the Christmas Expo center and they had a few fun things for the kid to do, like coloring, making a Christmas chain, an electric train set up and Mrs. Santa. Cody did not want to sit on her lap, but Elena went right up and had quite the conversation with her. We then strolled through the gift shop, pottied up and got in line for our train car. It was a cold night, and we have turned into Arizona wimps, so we were glad we had our Utah coats to keep us warm. The kids (and Matt)love looking out their window as we travel to the North Pole. As we travel, the book is read over the speakers, as the elves walk up and down the isles to show the pages of the book. They also play the Hot Chocolate song as the chefs hand out the Cookies and Hot Chocolate. Cody graduated from a sippy cup to the real Hot Chocolate cup. And Elena decided she does like Hot Chocolate and we were SOOOO glad we DIDN'T graduate her from the sippy cup. Maybe next year little sweets. Then we go through this tunnel that is all lite up by Christmas light- otherwise known as the aurora borealis and we arrive at the North Pole. And again, my picture of the North Pole turned out blurry. Now I KNOW it must be the magic that ALWAYS makes my pictures turn out blurry.. happens ever year. After words Santa gets on the train and gives all the kids a bell. Cody was so lucky to be picked to get the first gift of Christmas, as Santa handed him his bell. Cody thought that was pretty awesome!!! Then we head back through the aurora borealis and back to the train station as we sing Christmas Carols. We love this tradition and look forward to many more years of ridding on the Polar Express. Such a magical start to our Christmas Season. Below are a few videos of the kids excitement of being on the Polar Express. You can tell Elena was just slightly excited.





These next clips are funny. The first clip is from last year. (sorry I filmed it sideways) There must be something about the Hot Chocolate Song that makes Cody do this, because it happened again this year as you will see in the second clip.