Polar Express

Last Saturday, we took a ride on the Polar Express!  We had read the book, seen the movie and decided it might be fun to take our own ride.  We also decided that since it was a 3 1/2 hour drive that we would make a weekend out of it and spend the night in Asheville.  I think the kids were most excited about staying in a hotel :).  

We left Saturday morning and checked into our hotel in Asheville before driving the last hour to Bryson City, NC.  What a beautiful drive into the mountains!!  We even got to see a little snow on the side of the road while we drove - the kids were psyched!  Once we arrived in Bryson City we got our tickets.  As part of the experience we also got to tour the model train museum that was right next to the train depot.  The boys especially enjoyed this - and I don't mean just Jack and Luke ;).  We spent about 30 minutes there before the kids changed into pajamas and we got ready to board the train.  We were greeted by "Merry" Christmas our server and her assistant Christmas "Carol".  Once the train started the ladies served us hot chocolate, just like in the movie, and then the story was read over the speakers.  At one point on the beautiful ride we drove past "Santa's home" and the "Hot chocolate factory".  On the way back to the depot we had a surprise visit from Santa and he gave each child on the train a bell, "the first gift of Christmas".  We sang several Christmas Carols, which everyone got into, before finally stopping back at the depot in Bryson City. 

Once we departed, the kids couldn't stop "chatting".  They loved every part of it and it was so fun to see them so excited!  We headed back to the hotel and had a pizza party before heading to bed.  We had such a great time and made some fabulous memories!