The Polar Express

While in Flagstaff, we were able to take the kids on the Polar Express. This is based off the book, and train companies across the country participate in this each Christmas. We rode on the Grand Canyon Railways, a 30 minute drive from Flagstaff in Williams, AZ. We had a great dinner at a local restaurant before the Polar Express, and then the kids put on their pj's for the evening ride. It was bitterly cold and spitting rain/snow outside, but inside our train car, it was a nice warm evening.

Gearing up for our ride

A nice family took our picture so we could ALL be in the photo.

The train left at 6:30, which is a little late for us. The kids start going to bed at 7:00, so Alex was pretty tired.

Sitting with my girl

Alex took turns sitting with Edward and me.

Shortly after the train left "for the North Pole," they came through with cookies and hot chocolate. The kids loved that.

Enjoying his chocolate chip cookie(s)...he ate Edward's too.

Alex thought this was the best part of the ride.

After a 30-minute ride through a magic tunnel, we arrived at the North Pole.

They announced Santa would be getting on the train, to which Alex got scared.

The kids enjoyed talking to Santa...well, Madison and Luke enjoyed it.

You can see what Alex thought of Santa...

Santa gave all of the kids jingle bells.

At this point, Alex was ready to go to bed...no more cookies and Santa walking around=unhappy baby. The rest of us enjoyed the ride back to Arizona, and the train car ride was fun as we sang Christmas carols.

We are glad we were able to experience the Polar Express. The kids had a great time, and I hope they will be able to remember it from our time in Arizona.

Our last full day in Flagstaff, Edward took Madison and Luke out in search of more snow. Alex was extremely tired due to the late night on the Polar Express and missing naps other days, so I stayed back at the hotel with him so he could nap. The other three had a blast playing in the snow again.

The snow started coming down pretty well as they were out playing in it.