Santa Apology

Oh that feeling of waking up and realizing your elf saw you being naughty last night...then comes the freak out that Santa will find out...then comes the handwritten apology letter. This was a lot of work for Jack to write by himself - at least he put in the effort.

Getting ready for Christmas

 

Our house decorating is coming along pretty well, but that's not the best part of the Christmas season around this place.....

 

 

 

Earl, our Christmas Elf, made his appearance again this year.

 

 

 

 

And for his first act of mischief, he got into our cookie dough and baked up some treats for the boys. Luckily for Mom, he kept the kitchen pretty clean.

 

 The boys were so excited to find him and even more excited to eat his cookies!

 

 

 Another fan favorite around here - advent calendars. Just look at that excitement!
 

 

 What other time of year do you get to each Chocolate with your Cheerios?

 

 

Found this cute picture of Granny Franny and Jack from a couple of weekends ago.



Sacramento Train Muesum

The morning after our ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express, we were able to spend some time in the railroad museum in Sacramento.  This place was incredible!

 

 Yes, this is my son chugging away in front of a massive locomotive.

 

 

 Nathan having the "worst day ever" upon discovering he cannot actually play with the lego trains.

 

 

 The boys got to ride on this hand-car.

 

 

 Upstairs they had a whole room full of Chuggington and Thomas the Train sets for the kids.

 

 

 Before we could leave Sacramento, Jack insisted on being a "real train" on the tracks.

 

 

 He's not quite at a gold medal level for the balance beam.....

 

 

 So Daddy gave him a hand.  Jury is still out on whether that was an improvement.

 

 

 

Just a couple of "loco"- motives.

 



Santa Pics

This year we got pictures with the real Santa Claus while we were at the North Pole.

He was "AMAZING" and a "really nice guy," according to Jack.

 

My comment..."at least he's (Nathan) not crying!"

 

 

Family Photo

 

 

We even got Grammy and Granddaddy in on the fun!

 

Santa spent some extra time talking to Jack and even autographed his copy of the Polar Express book- incredible!

Nathan's School Picture

Nathan's first school picture.

Age 2

The Polar Express

It's here...the day we have been waiting for!!!!!..... our ride to the North Pole

on the Polar Express!!!!!!

 

Seriously, this is a BIG DEAL.  We are taking the actual Polar Express train all the way to see Santa and his elves at the North Pole - this is crazy!

 

We got there early and had dinner in old town Sacramento.  The boys spotted the train right away at the station so we ran over to get a sneak peek.

 

 "OMG there it is!"

 

Nate was in awe.

 

 It's go time.

 

 

Look at this little elf!

 

Ready to go in and get our tickets.

 

We are really here!

 

Jack on the caboose.

 

The boys found the "elf car" and didn't waste anytime driving down the tracks.

 

 

Family photo with the train.

 

 

 Making sure he knows how to throw on the breaks - you know, in case one of the kids doesn't get on the train in time.

 

 

Granddaddy and Jack.

 

He discovered his ticket in the pocket of his bathrobe - just like the movie!

 

 

Jack with his ticket!

 

Who let the Elf on the train????

 

 

 Tickets please!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 Singing the Polar Express song.


Just like in the movie, they served hot chocolate and treats!
  

 

Hot Chocolate!

 

 

and the dancing waiters were here too!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack's face pretty much looked like the below pictures through the whole ride....

 

 When the hobo came on board.....

 

 

When he heard we were almost at the North Pole.....

 

WE ARE HERE - THE NORTH POLE -

WE MADE IT!!!!!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then...guess who showed up on our train.....

 "Really, Santa's coming in here?!?!?!?!"

 

And here is a series of photos showing the pure joy a 4 year-old experiences when he learns he will meet the actual Santa Clause at the North Pole...

 "Is that him?"

 

 "It is him!"

 

"Here he comes!"

 

  

 

 

 

What an experience of a lifetime!

 

One little elf didn't make it all the way until Santa came on board though...

 

Guess we'll just have to try again another year!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!