The Polar Express

A few months ago, Steph and I hatched a plan to take our kids on The Polar Express. Mike and I have taken our kids every few years, the last time being about 1 week before Elle was born. The Hess' (Hess's?) haven't ever gone and Steph wanted to surprise her kids, right up until about 30 minutes before we actually boarded the train. My kids were in on the plan and thankfully kept the secret.

With all of our kids clad in pajamas and robes (some of which were new just for the occasion), we headed out from the Hess' cabin to The Polar Express.Once we were at the train station, the magic began. The kids were giddy (can't you tell?) and even the older kids loved seeing how the younger ones believed it all.(For Paige & Cam's wedding pictures someday...)The actual train ride requires a bit of imagination. The Heber Creeper isn't the newest train around and it shows, but there were holiday lights and garland strung around each car and some of Santa's elves wandered the aisles, which all added to the effect. Paige eyed some of the local teenagers who played the elves and said, "Those elves are, like, over-sized." Like I said, you have to use some imagination.Mrs. Claus also made the rounds. She handed out hot chocolate and cookies. Paige and Haley wondered why the hot chocolate servers weren't doing back flips down the aisle like in the movie.Eventually, Mrs. Claus directed our attention outside the train so we could see Santa waving at us from "the North Pole." It was basically Santa standing out in the snow with a big sign overhead announcing that we had arrived, and a couple of flares alight at his feet. Again ... imagination.

All during the train ride back, Santa made his way from car to car, stopping at each and every child and giving them a bell from his sleigh. For the little kids, at least, that was definitely a magical moment.Paige trying to think of what she wants most for Christmas.The whole experience was so fun and worth the effort and money. Every kid should take a trip on The Polar Express to the North Pole at least once, don't you think?