The Polar Express!

On Thursday, we loaded up our car and caravanned with our good friends, The Bauer family and The Putz family, up to the Polar Express! We journeyed up to Williams, AZ (about 3o minutes west of Flagstaff) to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, where we checked in for a night with Santa! It was such a fun day and night, the kids had an absolute blast, and us adults did too!!

Once checked in (the hotel was great, all decked out with lights and snow, and it had a huge rock fireplace in the lobby which was so cozy!), we ventured outside, which was freezing!, and let the kids play in the snow before we headed to dinner; a full all you can eat buffet with all the other guests! Once fed, we all got changed into our Christmas jammies and went to get pictures with Santa. We were all placing bets on which kid would cry on Santa's lap, but we all lost, all the kids did great and loved the jolly bearded man!

Then came time to board the actual "Polar Express" train which took us up to the "North Pole!" Waiting in line outside was absolutely freezing, we has reservations on the 8pm train and by then the temperature had dropped quite a bit!! But once on the train, we were greeted with warm cookies and hot chocolate which made it all worth it! It took about an hour to get up to the North Pole, where Santa was waiting to board the train to give silver bells from his sleigh to all the kids!! They loved it!! We spent about 1 hour 45 minutes on the train, singing Christmas carols, laughing and having a great time!

It was a great trip, one we will never forget, we can't wait to take the kids up again!

Taking a power nap on the way up to the Polar Express...good thing, because they were in for a fun day ahead!

We're not in the desert anymore!! We love to see that snow!

It's not a very big town, but it was sure packed with fun!

Austin and Lauren having a blast throwing snowballs!

Lauren and Kaelyn having fun in the snow!

Ahh, too cute!! Our little snowbirds sharing a hug!

Trying to slide down the hill!

Me and Brooke loving the cold weather!

All checked into our room!

Brrr!!!

Kelsey, Me and Brooke outside the hotel!

The Falkys at The Polar Express 2009

Cari, Kelsey, Brooke and me!

How cool is this old train!! Austin was in heaven with all the choo-choo's!

The original Polar Express!

How cute are they in their Christmas Jammies!

We can't wait to see Santa!!!

The Bauer girls, Codi and Carli, with Brooke and Ethan!

Waiting in line for Santa!

Checking out Santa...

This is where we waited outside for the Polar Express!

Austin couldn't take his eyes off the approaching train!

Trying to keep Brookie all bundled up and warm...

...a little too cozy!! Brooke missed the arrival of the Polar Express!

Austin was SO excited to be on the train!

Me, a passed out Brooke, and Lauren in our seats waiting for the warm cookies!

Austin and Ethan couldn't control themselves they were so excited!

Singing Carols!

Austin eyeing Lauren's cookie from Mrs. Claus!

Kaelyn, Austin and Lauren enjoying their cookies!

Brooke and Brian cuddling up!

Almost to the North Pole!

Lauren or Kaelyn (not sure!) enjoying her cup of hot cocoa!

Kaelyn taking good care of Brooke!

We made it to the North Pole!! The kids went crazy when they saw all the lights and Santa out the window!

The whole gang!

Here comes Santa Claus...

Kaelyn high fiving Santa!

I love this picture...check out the paparazzi in the background taking pictures of Lauren with Santa!

Austin getting his silver bell from Santa!

He believes!

Brooke not so sure what to make of her bell...

...so she decided to just eat it!

"Ace and Gary!"

JJ and Brian in their matching Christmas jammies!