All Aboard...

We spent the day in the Country yesterday then went to Palestine, TX and rode the Texas State Railroad.  They have different themes throughout the year, but in the winter they turn it into the Polar Express.  It's based off the children's book and movie, and they read the book to the kids along the ride. 

This was a Mize Girls adventure.  Granny, Aunt Steph and I went with the kiddos while the guys stayed in the Country to hunt.  (They missed out on a great time.  And, Uncle Mark was the only one who got a deer!)

They served us hot chocolate and cookies just like in the movie.  They played Christmas carols during the trip and the kids were allowed to jump from seat to seat and dance in the aisles.  Because we had the reserved tickets we got two tables together.  We got there and there was a nice little table marker for us.  We were the first tables on the train car.  (I actually ran into a friend of mine from Vidor on the train, in our car!  How crazy is that!)

The kids were so excited to be on the train and couldn't wait for it to take off from the station.  Erin kept telling me we weren't moving.  When we started going her little eyes got huge and she couldn't quit smiling.  Granny had taken the boys year before last when Erin was too young to know what was going on.  I'm not sure if Luke remembered much, but Jake did. 

The train takes an hour ride east to the North Pole. (Yes, in Texas we go east to head north - with me it all goes back to East Texas...)  There they have Christmas lights and a little village set up just like the book/movie.  There are elves everywhere and blinking lights.  Some of the elves are doing cartwheels just like in the movie.  The train stops and Santa gets on board.  The train then heads back to the station and Santa goes from car to car handing out silver bells. 

We were the first two tables in the car and Luke was in the lucky hot seat.  He was the first kid Santa came to in so he got the first present (this is a big deal in the movie).  Erin was super excited to see Santa.  She was sitting with Jake when he came on board which worked out great because I was able to snap pictures of them.

I just cannot put to words how much fun the kids had and how much fun Granny, Aunt Steph and I had watching them.  Their little faces had smiles on them the whole time and they were really into things.  The workers in our car could not have been sweeter.  We tipped them afterwards and they were donating their tips for the night to Toys for Tots.  How sweet is that!  We had fun and helped Toys for Tots!

All in all it was a great experience and one we'll have to do again.  The TSRR does a Fall Pumpkin Patch ride and Granny has her sites set on that next year.  If it's anything like the Polar Express, I bet its fabulous.

Thanks Granny for a very fun ride.  You rock!