Polar Express

Every year since Madelyn was born, we take a trip on the Polar Express. It's truly a magical time, and I can't imagine not fitting it into our busy schedules.

This year we decided to head back to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel for the night. It really is so convenient to be able to walk across the courtyard to dinner and breakfast. We also tried Spenser's Pub after we checked into the hotel. We all enjoyed a beverage before getting settled in our room. We had a great time talking and laughing, and of course, Madelyn was the hit of the pub with her Hello Kitty shirt. ;)

Madelyn was really excited when we got to our room because she found out that she was going to have a big bed all to herself! She quickly got it set up so no one else could use it.

We got to spend some time outside as well. It's always nice to haver space where Madelyn can stretch her legs. We enjoyed time in the (minimal) snow with a sky full of sunshine. It was a beautiful day!

This was the first year that there wasn't much snow, but there was just enough for Madelyn to run in and taste (much to Daddy's dismay).

In celebration of the Packers winning the Super Bowl, we asked Grammy if she could make us matching Packer jammies! They turned out so cute! And I must say, we were the talk of the train. Many people commented on how cute we looked, and three different families even asked to get their pictures taken with us. Seriously? So, I guess somewhere out there we have become part of someone else's scrapbook. ;)

This was the look on Madelyn's face when the conductor said Santa 

wasn't going to make it on the train this year.

Fortunately, he was just kidding, and said Santa would soon be on the train after all!

The best part of the trip (as always) was getting to see Santa on the train. He noticed right away that we were in our Packer gear, and stopped to talk a little longer than normal (that made other people very jealous). He confirmed that the Packers are indeed the team of the North Pole. Santa and I laughed together and I told him all I wanted for Christmas was another Super Bowl win. We just love that man!

 (Santa's telling me that the Packer's are the official team of the North Pole.)

 I KNEW it!

Madelyn was extremely excited to go see Santa after the train ride, which if you recall previous years' posts, this was a HUGE deal. Fortunately, we knew the way, and got in line quickly and didn't have to wait too long to see him. The photographer was gracious enough to let us take one picture with just Madelyn, and another with the whole family.

It all made for an exhausting adventure, and Madelyn was out as soon as her head hit the pillow....