the polar express...

way back in july i purchased tickets for us to ride the polar express.

we were so excited!!!

we got a quick shot by the lights outside.  

there were some games set up for the kids to play before the excitement started.

max tossed "snowballs" made of yarn at a snowman.

waiting for the show to start with daddy...

and with momma too!

after no time at all, the conductors came out and the show started.

the conductors and helpers sang the "hot chocolate" song.

and handed out...

a cup to each of us.

after a reading of the book and pictures shown on a big screen, the conductors came back out and yelled "all aboard."

so we headed out to get on the train.

max wasn't quite sure what was going on.

and just to make note, there were only three other sets of parents wearing their pjs too.  

kind of disappointing.  we wanted max to know that "we believe" too! :)

but he wasn't letting go of that ticket!

then our conductor came by to punch his ticket.

(i love this picture)

i love my family!

we also enjoyed a chocolate coin on our second trip around the tracks.

and on the third trip around, each child got a bell (there was lots of ringing going on after this!)

then the train stopped and we were at the north pole.

max couldn't wait to see santa.

we got off the train and waited in a long line for our chance to talk to santa.

so excited!

he was ready to tell santa that he wanted a "football player!"

it was a pretty cool experience all around.  it's a fundraiser for the national railroad museum in green bay.  we will definitely go again next year!