The Polar Express

     On Claire's birthday, we surprised both girls with a little trip to the North Pole.  After our birthday pancake breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed north.  Did you know you can catch the train to the North Pole in Williams, Arizona?  Well, you can.  And we did.  We did not tell the girls where we were going, so when we arrived at our hotel, Audrey was still begging for "clues" to our adventure.
     While I checked us into our hotel room in the lobby, Audrey struck up a conversation with another little girl and her grandma.  Audrey managed to learn of our special trip from this grandma and her granddaughter!  When we walked back out to find Matt and Claire, Audrey sheepishly admitted that the lady told her we were going on a train ride.
     We walked the girls to the train depot to get our tickets, and we told Audrey that we were taking a special train to the North Pole, just like the little boy in the Polar Express book.  She screamed and screamed!  Her reaction was priceless.  Claire had no idea why Audrey was screaming, but she also started yelling and clapping and jumping up and down!
     As a bonus to our adventure, we were joined on the Polar Express by the Kawans and the Corrigans.  These incredible friends joined us on the train, and we all had such a great time.  We boarded the train a little before 5:30pm, and we began our journey to the North Pole.  Magically, we arrived at the North Pole in around 30 minutes!  While traveling, we ate sugar cookies, drank hot chocolate, and sang Christmas carols.  When we arrived in the North Pole, we waved as we passed Mr. and Mrs. Claus. As we turned around to return to Williams, Santa boarded the train and began making his way through the train cars.  Audrey patiently waited for him to arrive.  When Santa came to our car, Audrey stood on tip-toes to see his approach.  Claire snuggled in my arms, sucked her thumb, and offered up a shy wave.  As Santa stepped up to address Audrey, she spoke first, saying, "Santa, I've been a good girl this year!"  Santa replied, "I know.  My elves told me you have been good." And he handed her a silver sleigh bell.  Little Audrey turned to me, eyes wide with delight, and said, "Mom, did you hear that? Santa said his elves told him I was good!"  She hugged Santa, and he moved forward to hand Claire her sleigh bell. Claire smiled and said thank you.  And Santa continued down the train.  We arrived back in Williams just before 7:30pm with two tired, happy girls!