Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Santa Express

Last Saturday we took an amazing train ride to see Santa.  This year was awesome because our family and friends joined us.  Also, Oliver is SUPER into trains this year and he loved seeing the trains!  He just kept yelling "Choo Choo" over and over and over.
As soon as we got there Papa took Oliver outside to see the train!  He was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing at first but once we were there for a bit he got more comfortable and LOVED it!!
Claire was excited to share this day with her BFF Giada.
They were stuck like the glue the whole time!
 They loved sitting together and looking out the window!
Oliver loved walking around looking at everything!!
He is at such a great age!  He loved checking everything out and taking it all in.
 This year Owen went too and he LOVED it!!  It was his first visit with Santa and he did great!  He loved him!!
Claire loved it when the conductor came around to punch her ticket.
Giada was proud of her ticket too.
Owen and Uncle Brian thought it was pretty cool too.
Oliver just wanted to crinkle his up and rip it :)
When the train got to Santa the kids had a blast hanging out!  I tried desperately to get a Christmas Card shot but although I got great pictures of the day, none of them were Christmas Card worthy.  They look pretty happy here but neither of them were looking at the camera.
 Oh...almost.
 Nope...not even looking in the same direction.  I couldn't get Oliver to take his eyes off the train!
Oliver loved checking out all the train cars.  He was thrilled when we put him up in one!
Then Claire had to check it out too.
Here is another lame attempt at a family shot.
Oliver snuck into Jessica and Giada's picture.
"CHOO CHOO"
Nevermind that there were 10 REAL trains around!  Oliver was thrilled with the cut out of the train!
Seriously, I could bite his face (and I have).
This face too!  I can't believe how old my baby girl is now!  Last year she was seemed sooo young.  Click HERE to check it out!
 Nana loved hanging with Oliver and seeing him enjoy the trains.
 And of course, Papa loved it too.  And Oliver LOVES his Papa (which he now says Papa, nope not Mama yet...but he has Papa down.  Papa and like 20 other words including THANK YOU...I swear he is messing with me).
The kids had a blast running around and playing while we waited to see Santa (and yes Claire is in the air).
Owen loved dancing with the band!  And yes,  him and Oliver have the same coat.  Totally not planned!!!!  
 Claire had fun hanging with Aunt Erin with her new reindeer that Owen brought for her and Oliver.
Finally, it was time to see Santa!  Oliver loved all the decorations!  
Claire hopped right up on Santa's lap and started chatting away!
She held her letter tightly even when she was with Santa.
Then it was Oliver's turn.  He was not too thrilled.  I blame the fact that we were past naptime and he had done so much already that day that he was beat.  Hopefully Santa won't take it personally.
He sat for a minute but was still not too thrilled.
Family shot.  Close but not Christmas Card worthy.  Plus, I am not sure that Santa was too thrilled when I knocked off his hat.
Then Claire dropped off her and Oliver's letter to Santa.
We tried to get a shot of the kids through the train window.  Mark was supposed to just set the kids up.  He kept saying "I was trying to get out of the way so I wasn't in the picture."  Yeah....he tried really hard, can't you tell by his face?!?!
Yep...still trying to "get out of the way".
Within 5 minutes of the train ride back to the station Oliver started to fade out.
Within 6 minutes, he was out cold.  Poor guy, this was a lot for him.
This was the test shot after my Dad and Mark dropped my camera.  Everything is still good..THANK GOD!!!

Overall, it was a GREAT day!!  It was so nice to have our friends and family all there together!  We all had a blast and made some great memories!!

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