'Cause That's the Way Things Happen . . .

On the Polar Express!
We went to French Lick this afternoon to ride the Polar Express with Grandma and Papaw.
We watched the movie last night so the kids would remember what it was all about.
We ran in to the McAfee family while we were there. There was an activity tent with train tables, coloring, and letter writing.
Grace and Jake were playing crash the trains. Haha!
Daddy sat down with Grace and wrote a letter to Santa together. She asked for a Christmas hat and make-up.
Before long, we were boarding the Polar Express. (What is up with Grace's scared face??)
The elves came around and took group/family pictures for everyone.
Gabriel agreed to have his picture taken with one of Santa's elves.
The conductor came around and took tickets. He sprinkled the kids with the little holes from punching the tickets. It sounded just like when the conductor on the movie punches tickets.
"Hot, hot, hot! We've got it!" The hot chocolate they delivered to us was the most decadent hot chocolate I've ever had. Grace couldn't drink all of hers because it was so rich.
Gabriel enjoyed his hot chocolate, and he followed the rule . . . don't let it cool!
The elves danced in the aisles to Christmas music. At one point they were getting the kids out of their seats to dance with them, and Grace was quick to get up and dance too.
Two of the three entertainers in our train car were really energetic and fun to watch.
Soon, we approached the North Pole. Santa was waiting to be picked up for a train ride.
One of the elves pulled Gabriel out of his seat to dance with her. He was so embarrassed, but I think he really enjoyed it.
Another time, as they danced down the aisle, one of the elves put a scarf and sunglasses on Gabriel. Basically, he was holding them so she could use them for her next song, but he didn't know that at the time.
Santa visited our train car. He had his picture taken with all of the kids. As he greeted each child, he gave them a silver bell.
Before we stopped back at the train station, we got a visit from the characters from the movie. It was so cute!
The elves/entertainers were so sweet to the kids and so willing to have pictures taken.

We had a great time riding the Polar Express! We're already looking forward to doing it again next year!