Polar Express

Yesterday Steve and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. Wow how time flies! He was gone working all day but knowing that we would be going on the Polar Express at night I decided to at least make a nice dinner. Well he had to work later that he thought so that meant the kids and I ate and then he hurried right before everyone showed up to leave. Why did we plan this activity on our anniversary, you may ask? It was the only night they had available. See this guy up at the temple runs a Polar Express in Lindon. He had invited us before but we had never been, I am so glad we went this year even if it was on our anniversary!

We invited the Strongs and the Bradshaws to come along for the fun. We get there and they send us into a garage to watch the movie Polar Express while we wait for our turn to ride the train. All 11 kids were very well behaved and when it was our turn they took us out to sit on these chairs. Where you are on these chairs is the order you will be on the train.

here the kids can see the train coming. They were so excited

Here we are all loaded onto the train

Here are a few individual car pictures. That's Oliver, a friend, behind Steve

Here was our car as we were pulling away.

Everything is to music so as the train leaves the station it is playing the polar express music and we are seeing all sorts of lights and fun decorations as we are on our way to the north Pole. We got out and walked into this big room to see tons of toys and a train going around and of course Santa and his wife.

Railey was so excited to get a treat from Santa. She was not just sticking her tongue out for fun. I just am not great at taking pictures at the right time. But it does so her excitement.

This shows how Kenna felt about the whole Santa thing.

Here's Seth

Now here's Seth looking over at all the toys trying to figure out what he wanted. What did he see? A flat screen and yes that is what he asked for. What ever happened to a toy truck?

Here's Damen and his cheesy grin.

This was some of the kids looking at the train and all the toys.

After the kids were done telling Santa what they wanted he held up a candy cane upside down and said, "J is for Jesus, who was born on Christmas day. Hold the candy cane upright and it looks like a shepherd's staff. The shepherds in the field were the fires to find out about Jesus' birth. What are the stripes for? The prophet Isaiah said, "by his stripes we are healed." Before he died on the cross, Jesus was whipped. He bled terribly. The red reminds us of his suffering and his blood. When we give our lives to Jesus, his blood washes away our sins, making us white and pure as snow." Then he asked us to sing Silent Night as we walked back to the train.

Steve and Kenna as we were walking away from the North Pole

The rest of the ride was taking us through a neighborhood and going by pictures of Christs life. It was all done to music. From the angel appearing to Mary to the wise men and shepherds all through Christs life, miracles, death and resurrection. It was very touching, even bringing tears to the eyes. When we got back to the train station there was a big tent with pictures of missionaries on paper. So the kids proceeded to sign their names to as many pictures as they could. This was such a neat experience and one I hope we can do again sometime. I know they sign up friend and family and anyone else is on a lottery because there are so many people that want to do it. I now know why!

This definitely was a memorable anniversary. I have the best husband in the world and I am grateful for the past ten years that we have had to be with each other and make memories such as this with our kids.