We took off north to Flagstaff the North Pole after church on Sunday.  We had reserved tickets to ride on the Polar Express Sunday at 8 p.m.

Isaac kept busy with his early Christmas present from Mimi…actually all 3 of them loved the quiet activity book!

Isaac had some trouble with his ears and the altitude.  Rough going from 880 ft to 7500 ft in 2 1/2 hours!! Rough on mommy too…but I’ll refrain from sharing my feelings about the speed limit & road condition on the I-17. When I can stand to open my eyes and look out it is by far one of the most beautiful drives I’ve been on….it rivals fall in the Ozarks.

Along the way we found a DQ which are few and far between ‘round here so it was a must that we stop.  I have.no.idea why Aidan has a sweet dreams mask on?!?!?  This also gave us time to fire up Daddy’s laptop with wireless internet to listen to the Chiefs play.

Our hotel had a “cook-in-front-of-you” restaurant which is Emma’s favorite and highly entertaining for 2 little boys. Aidan even loved the soup that looks like pond water. That kid will eat ANYTHING! :) See Emma’s excitement!

 

This chef really like the fire.  He made some of the biggest fires I have ever seen at a place like this!!  It might have been a distraction so you didn’t realize the $70 you spent on food that didn’t taste very good! :)

After dinner we got our jammies on and took a quick pic by the hotel fireplace.  SOO cute of Isaac & Emma…then there’s “Look-a-squirrel Aidan”.

When we arrived in Williams we wrote letters to Santa and visited Mrs. Clause.  Emma’s  said “I am a nice gril.  I want a IPOD tuch, cumptr and selfon.”  Aidan’s said “I want 2 transformers.  I want a Bulk Head. I am a nice boy. I am excited for Christmas Eve.”

Mrs. Clause reads Aidans and then responds to Emma’s requests as Aidan “mails” his letter.  Mrs. Clause said she would like an IPOD Touch too.  So I told Emma if Santa hadn’t got Mrs. C one than her odds of getting one was slim.  Mrs. C said “What happened to little girls wanting barbies & dolls?” Emma said “I want those from my mommy & daddy.”  She’s really testing this whole Santa gig this year!!

Isaac loved the train set.  He squealed each time it came out of the tunnel!!

 

Here comes the real train!!!

 

Isaac snuggled on mommy waiting to board.

Daddy & Emma.  Mommy & the boys.

  

Once boarded they played the story of the Polar Express as the chefs on the train car walked up and down with the book showing the pictures.  Then they handed out super yummy cookies and hot chocolate. Emma is now in love with hot cocoa!  She sipped and savored hers to the last drop!

 

Before reaching the North Pole Isaac hit the “i’m so tired of being held and it is my bed time so I’m going-to-rip-your-face-off” mode.

After traveling through the “time warp” tunnel we finally reached the no-snow North Pole.  Hard to get a good shot.  It was fully lit with Christmas lights, trees & a little village.  Santa was there waving!

Then Santa got on the train and visited each kids on  each train car!  He gave each child a bell as a souvenir.  We are going to made a tie for ours and use it as this years Christmas ornament.

On the way back we sang Christmas songs.  The kids favorite was 12 Days of Christmas b/c the dads all stood up and loudly bellowed “5 golden rings!” each time through.  Once in the car they quickly passed out as we drove back to Flagstaff.

To be continued….Day 2.