Polar Express

This weekend, we went on a very special trip...to the North Pole!

In Williams, AZ the Grand Canyon Railway has a seasonal Polar Express train.

If you aren't familiar with the story, the Polar Express takes children on a journey to the North Pole, and one special boy receives the first gift of Christmas...a bell from Santa's sleigh.

Only true believers can hear the beautiful sound of the ringing bell.

It is a sweet story, made even more special as my Uncle Tom used to read it to me as a child.

(Lily's copy of the book is a hand-me-down, complete with an inscription from Tom circa 1989!)

The train ride reenacts the book complete with chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa.

We enjoyed listening to the story while watching Christmas lights outside our windows.

We then arrived at the North Pole, admired all the Christmas lights and waved to Santa.

On the ride back to the station, we were singing carols when suddenly the big guy himself arrived and presented each child with their very own bell!

Needless to say, it was a special night for our little family.

thanks Grandma for the Christmas jammies!

snuggles at dinner before the train ride

waiting for the train

all aboard

first experience with hot cocoa.  It was a hit!

William missed out on all the fun this year

following along in her own Polar Express book

the big moment with the Big Guy himself!

so excited for her Christmas bell

We stayed in Williams for two nights, so look out for more adventures to come!