We had a BLAST going to Sacramento to enjoy a ride on the Polar Express at the Railroad Museum...Truly a great holiday tradition in the making. My teacher friend was able to hook us up with some sweet First Class tickets, sitting in the lounge car (which by the way, was the car that President Roosevelt used to give speeches from). We were able to skip to the front of the line (always a plus for a toddler's mom), were given hot chocolate and cookies as soon as we sat down, and enjoyed a performance of the book Polar Express, complete with the dancers to the Hot Chocolate song and the Hobo, who by the way played the part PERFECTLY! At the end of the line, The North Pole, we saw Santa and his elves! Dalton wasn't over the moon excited but we caught him in awe of things a few times.
Old Town Sacramento...perfect winter evening! Clear and cold.
Waiting for the train to arrive...I think I was just as excited as Dalton.
All aboard!
YES! Cookies!
"Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate!!!"
Watching the Hot Chocolate Tap Dancers...
One happy family!
Check out the concentration! We have a techie in the making! Here's to passing the time on the train up to The North Pole...
I see The North Pole!
I loved the reflections in these two pictures!
Ah, yes! The North Pole!
Santa Clause!!!
"What do you mean you don't think I'm the REAL Santa Clause?!?!" the infamous Hobo teased.
It must be Christmas, because Santa even got on the train to give us the first Christmas present...one of the reindeer bells! (By the way, seriously the nicest sounding Xmas bell I've heard!)
Dalton on the other hand was too shy to say hi to Santa and decided it was safer to ignore him...despite my attempts!
All in all it was a FANTASTIC evening!
Before we knew it, Christmas was here! And what an awesome Christmas it was! Having my parents, sister, bro-in-law and niece here was THE BEST! The Christmas loot
Santa brought Dalton a super cool Christmas Geotrax train, complete with lights and music! As soon as Dalton saw it he started playing with it and left us to open stockings and presents in peace. He could have cared less about anything but the train.
They just adore each other:)
Candace, Derek, and Rocky dog came to enjoy the morning with us, which we loved!
Check out that cute face!
Finally he took a break from the train to chill with Daddy.
This year, we got Kellyn a sewing machine, which she had mentioned she'd love to have! Yep, she was surprised!
All smiles!
This year we decided it'd be fun for everyone to get new PJs on Christmas Eve...Dad's couldn't have been more fitting for him! He actually wore them all morning, which is a miracle if you know my dad! Nice hair Dad!
Every year we pick names for Christmas, guess who got who here...too funny! (If you didn't guess, my dad had Annika).
Dalton finally noticed his bike from Grammy, Poppi and Auntie Nana! He was so excited to get a balance bike! Look at his expression:)
"Auntie can you help me get on it?"
Sweet!!!
Alas, BREAKFAST TIME!!!
Enjoying the family conversations
and participating too!
Like Poppi like Grandson...Two peas in a pod!
Family photo time!
Oh, I just LOVE this kiddo! She is so much fun!
Time to PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!
The next day we headed over to my cousin Marlene's to see the rest of the family. My two favorite kids in the whole wide world!
The four cousins: Kyle, Kellyn, Trevor and Dalton
What a great day! So special that we were able to all be together.
I can't remember what Kellyn was reacting to, but I am sure it was a classic Poppi comment
AND after all that fun it was time to relax!
MAY IT BE THE BEST YEAR YET! HAPPY 2012!
