The Polar Express

We took Audrey to ride The Polar Express again this year. I tried to read the book to her a couple of times and to watch the movie with her but she wasn't interested in the book and the movie scared her! The tickets for the train ride go on sale in August (I think--my pregnant brain is not helping me remember much these days) so I'd made these plans a LONG time ago. I was really worried she wouldn't care for it once we actually got there. I shouldn't have been concerned. She loves trains, Santa, her daddy and cookies. All of those things were present so we were good!

In this photo she's talking. That's her favorite pastime these days! :)

During the ride to the North Pole, the conductor reads the Polar Express aloud to everyone. Audrey wasn't really engaged during the reading, but she loved looking out the window and riding the train.

A friend of mine from our newlywed days met us there and this is her husband and little boy. Audrey and Patrick entertained themselves as only two year olds can! They were born within a couple of weeks of each other.

When you ride the train, you go all the way to the North Pole and when you get there... Santa and Mrs. Clause actually board the train and come see each boy and girl on the train. Audrey loved it! Here they are waiting "patiently" for Santa and Mrs. Clause to come aboard!

Finally!

After telling Santa that she wanted a soccer ball and chocolate milk, he went on to visit the other boys and girls. He didn't leave without giving her an early Christmas gift though! His elves arrived shortly after he left and gave Audrey a plush Gingerbread Man! She carries that little thing around with us everywhere! They also gave us an ornament with the Polar Express on it and milk and cookies. It was a fun night for all three of us. We will definitely do it again. Next year we will have a 10 month old little one with us also!