A few weeks ago Tiffany Madsen called to ask us if we wanted to meet up in New Haven, Kentucky at the Kentucky Railway Museum on Saturday December 8th at 6:00 PM and ride the Polar Express together. I said YES in an instant. I love finding new Christmas tradtions, and this is one I hope to do every year. We couldn't wait to spend time with some of our favorite people in the world!After a last minute Christmas present stop, we sped off down the Bluegrass Parkway at top speed hoping to make the train. (I know right now my New Year's resolution is: to be more puncutal.) Our cell phone lost service as we headed away from Bardstown and into rural Kentucky. We were over joyed when we pulled into the parking lot to see the train still at the station and Todd and Kristi getting out of their car.
Once inside we saw Ryan and Lacey Williams and family and the rest of the Louisville bunch. What a happy reunion. It had been far too long (Trey's baptism over 2 months ago.)
All Aboard!!
The Kentucky gang. What a wonderful night spent with Josh and Tiffany Madsen and family, Todd and Kristi Hamilton and family and Tyler and Cynthia Madsen and family. It's amazing that when we all moved out to Kentucky, we only had Trey and I was pregnant with Josh and Matt. Todd and Kristi and Josh and Tiffany were kid free and later when Tyler and Cynthia moved to the 'Ville they only had Ellie. How how we have grown! 13 little ones between us! We have so many years of memories together (going on 7 for us!). It was a perfect night, full of smiles, laughing, talking, being loud, wiggly wild kids, sugar, chocolate and Santa. Just what Christmas should be!
Josh, Trey and Matt. They were really sweet and wore Christmas colors like I asked them to. They remembered going on the Heber Creeper Polar Express a few years ago with Rich's family and were eager to ride one again..jpg)
Me, Kristi and Tiffany. Some of my dearest friends ever! .jpg)
Most of the boys. It was funny that all the men sat together and the women took up the row in front. It was perfect to catch up while the kids played with each other.
The twins. They even wore a near identical shirt. They must have called each other and planned it. When Rich was at U of L he and Todd were OFTEN mistaken for each other at the hospital. I guess it's because they are both tall, LDS and handsome. Kristi said just last week someone asked Todd how his twins were doing. Todd just smiled and told them they were doing fine! Too funny!.jpg)
Brynn loved sitting up on the chair with the lights by her face and a good view out the window.
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All Aboard!!The Kentucky gang. What a wonderful night spent with Josh and Tiffany Madsen and family, Todd and Kristi Hamilton and family and Tyler and Cynthia Madsen and family. It's amazing that when we all moved out to Kentucky, we only had Trey and I was pregnant with Josh and Matt. Todd and Kristi and Josh and Tiffany were kid free and later when Tyler and Cynthia moved to the 'Ville they only had Ellie. How how we have grown! 13 little ones between us! We have so many years of memories together (going on 7 for us!). It was a perfect night, full of smiles, laughing, talking, being loud, wiggly wild kids, sugar, chocolate and Santa. Just what Christmas should be!Josh, Trey and Matt. They were really sweet and wore Christmas colors like I asked them to. They remembered going on the Heber Creeper Polar Express a few years ago with Rich's family and were eager to ride one again.Me, Kristi and Tiffany. Some of my dearest friends ever! Most of the boys. It was funny that all the men sat together and the women took up the row in front. It was perfect to catch up while the kids played with each other.The twins. They even wore a near identical shirt. They must have called each other and planned it. When Rich was at U of L he and Todd were OFTEN mistaken for each other at the hospital. I guess it's because they are both tall, LDS and handsome. Kristi said just last week someone asked Todd how his twins were doing. Todd just smiled and told them they were doing fine! Too funny!Brynn loved sitting up on the chair with the lights by her face and a good view out the window.Rich and his girls..jpg)
Elves passed out cookies (2 each) and a cup of hot chocolate. Trey loved it and drank 2 1/2 cups. Too bad the last half ended up on his shirt!
Anna gets some fresh air and is on the look out for Santa.
Once all the sugar was in the kids' system and the anticipation of Santa's arrival grew, so did their voices and excitement. We looked at our kids wrestling and bouncing up and down and scanned the rest of the seemly calm train. The other passengers could have taken it two ways. They could have thought we were too loud and obnoxious as they watched in horror as our children played over the backs of the chairs, or they were wishing they were part of the fun crowd. I hope they were thinking that instead of being annoyed! .jpg)
Here comes SANTA CLAUSE! He happily told us we could get pictures taken with him back at the station, so he would just say a quick hello. Matt couldn't help giving him a squeeze as he walked by.
After a big Ho, Ho, Ho off Santa went. Soon the elves and a Christmas tree treated us to candy canes, .jpg)
and coloring books. .jpg)
Kaitlyn was very happy with her new book.
I don't think Brynn and Kaitlyn liked Santa too much. The poor fellow had to hold on to two screaming, wiggly babies so I could snap a picture. What a saint.
Elves passed out cookies (2 each) and a cup of hot chocolate. Trey loved it and drank 2 1/2 cups. Too bad the last half ended up on his shirt!Anna gets some fresh air and is on the look out for Santa.Once all the sugar was in the kids' system and the anticipation of Santa's arrival grew, so did their voices and excitement. We looked at our kids wrestling and bouncing up and down and scanned the rest of the seemly calm train. The other passengers could have taken it two ways. They could have thought we were too loud and obnoxious as they watched in horror as our children played over the backs of the chairs, or they were wishing they were part of the fun crowd. I hope they were thinking that instead of being annoyed! Here comes SANTA CLAUSE! He happily told us we could get pictures taken with him back at the station, so he would just say a quick hello. Matt couldn't help giving him a squeeze as he walked by.After a big Ho, Ho, Ho off Santa went. Soon the elves and a Christmas tree treated us to candy canes, and coloring books. Kaitlyn was very happy with her new book.I don't think Brynn and Kaitlyn liked Santa too much. The poor fellow had to hold on to two screaming, wiggly babies so I could snap a picture. What a saint.After the photo the boys got a chance to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
Trey: Nerf Long Shot, Thrillville off the Rails (PS2), Crash of the Titans (PS2), Battle Wheel (orange) and Battleground.
Josh: Scooter, Wii with a sports game, Battle Wheel, Webkinz and Build-A-Bear.
Matt: Scooter, Nerf Tommy 20, Battle Wheel and Star Wars action figures..jpg)
I made a quick run into the gift shop and found this darling Christmas ornament to add to our collection. I'll always remember our fun night together in Kentucky.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
7 comments:
What fun to read all the details. I would have loved to have been there with all of you. It is so good to see pictures of everyone together.
Your Polar Express train looks far more "luxurious" than the old Heber Creeper.
Laughing so hard at that poor Santa trying to keep a hold of both girls. Since Alice did the same, it must be the age. What a great picture.
Is Santa going to be able to round up a Wii? Apparently he is having a difficult time elsewhere (see Sally's post).
I love that you found the perfect ornament to remember the night!
Such a brief moment to visit with you- but I bet your train was more fun that ours. How could it not be with all those fun people on it? :)
I was just wishing out train would break out in caroling- I was not brave enough to start the singing.
Thank your for the gift again- how you have time I do not know!
Marcie- Josh just threw the Wii out there to Old St. Nick. I knew he wants one and I told him he could put it on his list, but it would be the ONLY thing all 3 boys would be getting. Of course no one could agree to that, so I'm off the hook..... for now!
What a fun night. It sounds like a great Christmas tradition.
I think it's so cute that Trey has the exact same expression in all of his pictures.
At least your girls went to Santa. Sammy wouldn't even go near him. He clung to my leg the whole time. Even when I was holding him, he was still hesitant. Of course now he talks about Santa like he's his best friend. Go figure!
I'm glad you all had a great time. Thanks for sharing!
So fun! What a great holiday tradition to have, and it's so neat to have been there with such good friends!
What an amazing memorable evening to share with such amazingly wonderful friends!
What a great record of the night! We had so much fun with you. I'm jealous that you bought that cute ornament -- I'm wishing I had done the same. Great memories!
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