Polar Express

Granny took the little kids to the north pole this year (Durango, Co.) to ride the Polar Express. It was soooooo much fun. Very magical for the little ones. We got to Durango and checked in the rooms, ate, and then headed over to get on the train. It was awesome!! You first go through a train station with gift shops. Then all the kids are hearded out to the loading site. They have the Polar Express music going, and then comes steaming in a big old fashion train. It has Polar Express on it and all the waitresses are waving to the kids. The conductor asks, "Is there anyone else who would like to ride?" All the kids yell, "Me, yes, me." You load onto your car; each ticket has different cars, and the fun begins.

This is us in the room trying desperately to get a pose of the small grandchildren. Slightly difficult. Granny bought all of the kids Christmas outfits.



Us in the gift shop.



Blazen, Ike, and Denim are just so excited to go out onto the train loading plank, they can hardly wait.



Tessa waiting patiently. She is getting so big.



This is the train coming. You can imagine the excitement at seeing the billowing smoke and hearing the loud engine pull up.



The San Juan was our boxcar. The workers were dressed like elves.



Don't lose your ticket.



Here we are on the train. Not too sure what to expect.



Fun, Fun, Fun. The waitresses started dishing out hot chocolate.



All together.



Ace and I.



Darlin fell asleep right away. Little Tessa had a bit of a hard time, but Tawana got her calmed down.



After we made it to the North Pole, Santa Claus came on the train. THE REAL SANTA. Believe me, Denim noted his REAL beard. He was so sweet and kind.







We all got a real bell, and can you believe it......we could all hear the bells. WE BELIEVE! Do you?



Thanks Granny for a magical time!!!



Walking back to our truck we ran across an amazing candy shop. We just had to go in. It was like walking into part of Willy Wonka's shop. Candies of every sort. Even a chocolate fountain. We each chose one candy and then shared.







Other events:

We all went out on the ranch together this year. Denim got to pick the big tree; Blazen the little one. They were so excited. We got the Christmas box out and they decorated the trees ALL BY THEMSELVES. The little tree has about 4 bows on it and the big tree has the rest of the decorations. Our lights were not working this year, so when Ace went to town a few days later he picked us up some. It just so happens that he brought back outside white icicle lights. AWESOME! We stuck those lights on the outside of the already up decorations and wala......our beeeeeeeeeautiful tree. It is the most beautiful tree we have ever seen. My kids our so proud!

Oh, I forgot to mention that Ace duck taped the star to the top. It is permanently sideways. Denim's cousin, Ralayna has the same star. When Denim saw it she said, "Hey, you have the same star as us, but our star goes like this, (she then bends over sideways and puts her arms straight out)."

We went to Grandmother Margarite's home and ate supper with her. Nacona brought Kentucky Fried Chicken because grandmother loves that. I set my camera up and then after the picture realized we forgot to move the chair. Oops.

Denim just loves getting her hands on the camera. Here are a few pictures that she took.



Denim was fighting this nasty stuff around her mouth. I cleared it up with Red Clover and Oregon grape.

I have been, for the past several weeks, singing with an all faiths community choir. We put on a Christmas program. It was a very neat experience for me. I sang alto, and I got to sing with some very talented singers. It was fun to learn and grow. Ace and granny watched the kids each Sunday for 2 or 3 hours so that I could participate. We performed on the 19th for the community and it went very well. I love singing even if I am not fabulous.