Stringtown Polar Express

Weekends in December are busy busy, and last weekend was no exception! Early in the afternoon we met some friends - the Archibalds, Lords, and Barnums - and went for a ride on the Polar Express... in Lindon! This was such a fun thing done entirely for free by a group of families in the area. When we first arrived we were ushered into a room where the movie, "The Polar Express" was playing on a huge screen. We were able to see the best part of the movie - the end, complete with flying elves, reindeer and the big SC himself. The kids were mesmerized, of course. Then we boarded the "train" for our ride to the north pole. The train was a little smaller than the original, but you really got the swaying motion going of a real train... I was afraid more than once this little train would sway right off the track, but it seemed to hold up okay. :-) Then we arrived at our destination. This family had one large room in a home decorated like the North Pole would be with toys, gifts and every picture of Santa Claus you've ever seen. They even had a cute black and white photograph of Mr. and Mrs. C. over the mantle. They'd really gone to a lot of work! The kids all met the REAL Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and some elves! They sat on Santa's lap and expressed the desires of their little hearts - this time for Erick is was a light saber, and for Izzie it was a baby and a kitchen. Audrey just wanted off his lap. She's kind of a cheap date that way. I sat on his lap, too, and asked for a good job for Justin when he graduates. I figure you just never know...

Hanging out at the station, waiting to board the train!

Chug chug chugging along...

Finally, it's Santa Claus!!!

Then the fun really began, as Santa told the kids the story of the candy cane and about how Jesus is the real reason we celebrate. It was especially neat coming from that kind of authoritative figure. :-) They each got a candy cane, then we sung some Christmas songs with Santa's bells! After that it was time to go - the train picked us up again and we took a slightly longer ride back "home", passing along the way all the major figures in the Nativity story, then pictures of the life of Christ through his resurrection. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I love that someone does this. Again, it's totally free - they keep a donation box out for Primary Children's should anyone feel inclined to give, but this is entirely done at their own time and expense. If you're in the area next year, this was really fun!

Jingle those bells!

Izzie made a rather comatose Rudolph...

Off we go, home again!

Kori kept begging the conductor to take us faster! She's really a troublemaker that way.

From there we went straight to Aunt Tamra's house where we basked again in the glow of someone willing to serve and give. Tamra holds a "wrapping party" every year for the crisis center here in Provo. Everyone donates something from the list she sends out or money to help offset the costs (and she obviously supplements this some) and we all get together to assemble packages - bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc. It amazes me every year how much can be accomplished when people work together. I wish I'd gotten pictures during the assembly, but all I got were a few parts of the final product. There were also stacks of clothing items. After the packing was completed, we enjoyed a yummy dinner and great company until the kids were begging for bed. (yes, my kids actually do that) ..

Bath towels, shower curtains and toiletries

Bed linens and pillows

Kitchen utensils and dish racks

Anyone know what happened to that extra ribbon?

I'm amazed at how much this holiday season has turned into a season of giving. Here we are, relatively speaking we're poorer than we've been in years because we're back to school, and yet it seems we've had more opportunity to serve (largely thanks to others) and be surrounded by service than we've had in years. It's been such a blessing and has made the holiday delicious and wonderful. It seems as though I seek this feeling every year, and sometimes it comes, and sometimes it just never does no matter what we try. For me it's a rare feeling and I am so grateful.