The Polar Express 2011

I know I need to post about our Utah trip, but I want to do our Polar Express trip first. This is our 6th year to do the Polar Express. You can click each year to see our past Polar Express trips. 2006 (didn't have a blog yet), 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.  This has got to be one of our favorite family traditions.  So Magical!!!  We usually watch the Polar Express movie in our hotel room, but we got a late start this year and ended up watching it in the car, as we wouldn't have time when we got to Williams, AZ.  On top of getting kind of a late start, we also hit some pretty bad weather.  Despite the tough outward appearance of our car it actually is not 4 wheel drive, in fact it is only rear wheel and is really crappy when it comes to driving in the snow.  When we lived in Kaysville, we bought some snow chains to keep with us in the winter time in case we got into trouble and they always accompany us when we travel in the winter months.  Up until now, we never had a chance to use them.  But on the way up, I kind of had a little "come apart" as Matt called it and he was good enough to pull over to put the chains on.  They were so easy to put on and were amazing and absolutely had NO slipping whatsoever. We only had the chains on for about 35 min and then the sun came out, plows were out and it stopped snowing.  We made it to Williams just in time to pick up our tickets and get checked into our hotel.  The kids loved finally being able to get in to their new jammies.  We had the most beautiful view out our hotel room window and we loved looking out at the fresh new snow.  We had an earlier train time then normal, leaving at 5:30pm.... so it is fun to have some different pictures then the past times we have gone and it is already totally dark.  I love the one of the kids looking out their train window as we rode through the cute town of Williams.  Some of the other pictures are of the kids with their tickets, out chefs from out train car and of coarse us as a family in front of our train car. Once we get on the train, the fun only gets better with hot chocolate and cookies.  Have I mentioned how much I love this little family of mine!!!!  Seriously The BEST!!!!  I got a cute picture of the kids looking out the window at the north pole, but our picture of the kids getting their bell from Santa turned out WAY blurry....bummer!  I hate it on those "you only get one shot" kind of pictures. Cody wanted to pretend to be asleep with his bell....isn't he so convincing?? After a wonderful train ride we went to see Mrs. Clause.  Elena has quite a thing for her and was so excited to talk with her again this year.  As always the Polar Express is such a wonderful way to really kick start our holiday season.   MAGICAL!!!! K- I tried cutting out some pictures, but I couldn't decide wich ones to cute. Oh well, here are the rest of the pictures.  :)