Tuesday, December 23, 2008

the north pole express


On Friday night we took Chloe to the north pole express.  she talked about it all day long because we made the mistake of telling her the night before that we were going on a train! so, she woke up saying "Chooo-Choooo, Let's go!".  Hmmm...our train ride wasn't until 8:30 pm. so this made for an interesting day, but after much consoling, going to Target to buy her a train, and having talks with daddy on the phone about how we weren't going until night time...it was FINALLY time! Adorned in her holiday "nommers" we arrived at the train station just in time for a picture with Santa, which oddly, turned out to be a much better experience than first expected! She was a bit clingy, very unsure and finally when we sat her on the big guys lap-she was totally serious.  She didn't smile, laugh, cry...nothing.  Eventually we got her to warm up by telling her NOT to smile-well, thats all it took and this is what we got! I was so relieved!!!

 Afterwards we joined the rest of the crowds in the tent and danced to the music.  Chloe enjoyed dancing in the aisles and jumping up and down, yelling "Chooo-Choooo!" She had to have been wondering, "Where is the this train you guys told me about?!!!"  Finally, after walking through Christmas trees and snow we boarded the train! It was everything she had hoped for! The train pulled away with Chloe yelling "Choo-Chooo, here we go!!"  As we rode along I couldn't help but tear up a bit...all the hustle and bustle of the holidays so many times takes precident over the tiny memories that I forget to capture.  The pure innocence and joy that Chloe felt about seeing Santa, the conductor, the train the lights and dancing to the music was almost more than my heart could hold! I wanted to freeze it all, shove it all into a little bottle so that I could open it back up in 20 years at christmas time and feel it all over again.  I love you my chloe girl, and I promise not to ever forget these little memories!  thank you so much for bringing such abundant joy to our lives! we are so blessed!


handing in her ticket
dancing to the music!
soooo excited!!
walking through the snow!

getting her ticket punched
proudly holding her ticket!
dancing on the train

look who is coming!!!

oooooooooh!!!!

It's Santa!
so happy!

Nate, Chloe and the conductor...yes, chloe was a bit freaked out by him! :)





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