Riding on the Polar Express

Sunday afternoon we drove to Calera, AL to take Noah on The Polar Express train ride. It was a long trip up with lots of traffic but we made it to the station on time for a fun late-night train ride(our tickets were scheduled for 8pm!).

Noah & Ava waiting in the train station

Now we are outside in the freezing rain waiting to board our train

Noah & Mama all bundled up

Ava was very affectionate throughout the night.

Here she is giving Daddy a big hug and he is eating it up!

Not the cutest pic of Ava but she is loving on Noah too

Look how cute Noah & Ava are in their matching jammies!

We've arrived at the North Pole at this point and Noah is excitedly awaiting Santa's visit.

First the Elves came on board and passed out jingle bells (like the ones that fell off the reindeer's reigns in the movie) for us to jingle so Santa would come

Ava checking out the jingle bell- this really kept her entertained for awhile- Nathan forgot her pacifier or lost it and she was a little difficult to handle on the ride to the North Pole (but we really can't blame her- she had been riding in the car seat for over 5 hours! and just wanted to get down & walk)

Here's Elf Lulu giving Noah his jingle bells

If you are wondering what the North Pole looked like... they had a building with lights labeled Santa's workshop and a sleigh and lighted reindeer. (Which Noah says they magically turn into real reindeer at Christmas) There were lighted nutcrackers and snowmen and several of those lighted blow up things but I wish they would have put more lights up like on the trees, etc. But I guess if you are 3 it probably looked pretty cool anyway. No pictures of the North Pole due to the windows and flash.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Ava did NOT want Santa to hold her- it was an immediate scream and one of those that you wonder if they are going to breathe again

Santa doesn't seem to mind the disinterest though

My Noah with Santa Claus

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! Look at his sweet little face full of happiness and wonder- it made the long trip all worth it!

Group picture with Mrs. Claus- isn't she cute? and note that Ava is still not happy

Now she's happy since she's got food!

They served us chocolate chip or sugar cookies along with chocolate milk- Yummy!

Today Noah said "Those elves weren't real- they were people".

Nathan & I just didn't reply. The kid is too smart.

On the train ride back to the station, the elves handed out presents from Santa. Noah got a Polar Express Christmas ornament and Ava received a little polar bear soft toy that she immediately hugged and snuggled. She was pretty low key the rest of the ride back.

It was FREEZING once we got off the train so we ran quickly to the car and proceeded to drive back home to Jackson from Birmingham arriving after 1 in the morning. We have been very tired today but it was a memory I hope Noah will never forget!