The Polar Express In Palestine

This past weekend we made the trek out to Palestine, TX to go on the Polar Express Train.  Kevin, Julie and the girls also came. After going to Ice at the Gaylord, several years in a row, we decided to switch up our Christmas activity this year and check out the train.  We had been on the Polar Express train in Grapevine back when Emily was younger, but we were never super impressed with it.  I had much higher hopes for this one.

It was just over a 2 hour drive out there, but I could tell once we arrived it was going to be fun.  Just being out in the country made it much more realistic.  The kids were all super excited to board.  We rode the 5:00 train, which worked out perfectly because it got dark right around the time we reached the "North Pole," but still got to enjoy the scenery on the way out there.

A lot of the characters from the book took part in the train ride.  The kids all got a golden ticket and the conductor came by to punch them.  There were chefs that sang down the aisles and passed out hot chocolate and cookies.  They read the book over the speaker while the chefs walked the aisles showing the pages.  Half way through, a hitchhiker got on board.  Evan wasn't sure what to think of him.  And before too long, we made it to the North Pole complete with Santa, Elves and lights.  Santa got on board there and came through each car to give each child a bell.

I'm so glad that we went and checked it out.  I don't think we'll do it every year, but might keep it in the rotation to do occasionally.

Of course we had to get the kids coordinating PJ's!

Natty and Em wanted to sit together. . 

And Lauren and Evan wanted to sit together.