Polar Express

Well we are headed to Flagstaff to ride the Polar Express. I am super excited for the kids! We have never been or done anything like this before. And, not only is it our first time, but we get to experience it with Paul's mom, Paul's sister, his brother in law, our niece and nephew, and Paul's grandma. I think the kids will have a blast. I mean what kid wouldn't have a good time on a train ride where you get cookies, hot chocolate and get to meet Santa? Heck I'm even excited to ride the train, eat cookies and chocolate milk(just don't tell me the calories), and see the big guy. And, we didn't even have to wake up super early since it's only a four hour drive.

So we made it to Flagstaff with just about 20 or so minutes to spare before dinner time. The kids did amazing on the drive. Not to mention the drive was beautiful. You can definitely tell it's winter and we even saw a bit of snow on the way. At the hotel it had snowed and was starting again and it was all I could do to get the kids to go inside and get ready, because miss Kailee was more interested in the snow and playing in it. LOL We all load up and head to an Italian restaurant for dinner that Paul's sister was so kind to make reservations for. Not only that but it was kid friendly. Perfect. The kids even got to play with dough while waiting. While enjoying our dinner we hear a bunch of kids going crazy and look out the windows to see the snow really coming down. It was so pretty. I don't think I've ever seen snow like it before. Dinner was done and we all loaded up to make the 30 minute drive to the Polar Express. It was already dark by the time we got there and all you saw was lights everywhere. The kids were amazed. While Paul and Jeff parked the kids, Cami and Jayden, Steph, Paul's mom, grandma and I went inside and waiting. Kailee immediately saw jewelry and was in a trance. She found of course the hottest pink, most sparkly bracelet you could imagine. At 17 bucks it was staying but sure glad she loved looking at it. Kailee, Justin, and Cami played a little and posed by the tree. After a few we booked it to make the train ride in time and let me tell you. I have never held on to my kid's hands so tight. It was packed. I'm not talking mall play area or Chuckie Cheese packed. I'm talking holly crap packed. Of course we were on B and we had to go from Z to B in a mad rush. I was practically dragging my poor kids to keep up bc all they were interested in were the lights and looking for Santa LOL. So we get on and it is soooo warm. We opted not to let the kids wear their Christmas pjs because it really was just too cold. Bone chilling cold. But that's ok. They didn't notice they were probably the only kids in regular clothes. LOL So the train takes off and shortly after they bring out the cookies and hot chocolate. The kids of course loved that and looking out the window. Then they read The Polar Express book sang a few songs, which turned into probably 30 minutes of songs at a dead stop. Nothing like kids and adults singing their hearts out while we are at a dead stop. Paul was miserable. He is not a people person much less a people person singing out of tune to numerous Christmas songs person. Lucky for us the kids didn't get restless they just enjoyed the time. They were told some reindeer were stuck on the tracks, but us adults knew better. There ended up being some type of wreck. Once the train started moving again the kids saw the North Pole and Santa even waved. Then as all the kids were sitting there Santa made his big appearance. Kailee's face lit up like a Christmas tree. She was so happy. He handed her a bell and she looked like she was just given a new puppy or something. I mean her face was just..wow I'll never forget her expression. JP got his next and to my surprise he didn't cry or get scared of Santa. He of course started ringing his bell and was too cute and happy to have one like his big sister. Right before we get back we realize it's snowing. Like really snowing. Coming down really good almost like a blizzard. Kailee of course loved it. Her and I playing in it a little bit. JP was carried by Paul. Thank the Lord for Paul. He is so good about carrying Justin in crowds and putting my anxiety at bay. He's just so little and it crowds I freak out. Kailee will hold your hold and she's bigger and can keep up much better than JP's little legs in the snow. Justin's face was priceless as the snow fell on his face and Kailee was just way beyond excited to be in the snow having it fall all around her. After some quick pics by the tree inside we decided ok we better get back. It was dark, we were in the truck, it was a 30 minute drive and we weren't used to driving in the snow.
That's were all the excitement turned to pure fear. We couldn't see crap. Not the road, not the lines, not our own lights nothing. We were in a white out. I have never been so scared in my life. Big trucks just flying by, other cars flying by and we can't see at all. We ended up pulling off because we couldn't see and too get some gas to add weight to the rear. We get back on and slip, slide, and loose traction. Avoid being hit, avoid hitting sliding cars. Just plain scary. The kids, bless their hearts. I mean they were wonderful. Scared, but super quiet and so well behaved. I love those two. They were such a big help just by sitting there not complaining or whining and just being so good so Paul could concentrate. There were a few times I gasped and just put my face practically between my legs I was so scared. And Paul. Well he just took it like a pro. I mean you would have thought he was in clear 90 degree weather. I have never been so grateful or impressed with his driving ability. We ended up getting pretty close to our exit when we came to a stand still. We got to see a snow plower, ambulance, and a few police cars which Justin loved. There was an accident which caused traffic to back up. Of course after sitting in the car forever way longer than the 30 minute drive Justin had to go potty. He had been holding it for so long and Paul had just got out to take him outside when he saw traffic starting to move. So we told Justin to hold it and he would get a hot wheel. Boy did that make him excited. Needless to say our 30 minute drive back took 2 hours. We got to the hotel safe said our good nights and the kids and I were up in the hotel room like nothing. Paul went downstairs and had a few much needed beers with Jeff. I took a super hot bath to try and calm my nerves and ease my back while the kids slept. Paul came back up to the room and him and I had the best luck. We caught a marathon of Lock up Raw. Of course he made it through like half an episode before the snoring began LOL.