We headed north this weekend ... all the way to Grapevine, Texas to ride the North Pole Express. GiGi, Pops and we 4.5 Kings loaded our cars and drove to see the lights, do a little shopping and ride the famous train to see Santa.
And it just so happened to be the rainiest weekend we have had in what seems like 2 years.
Seriously. Torrential. Downpours.
But, we still had a great time! And all that rain made stopping for cupcakes as our first outing totally justified!
And these two didn't seem to mind the water one bit.
I have never been to Downtown Grapevine before, but y'all - it's adorable! Every shop had something fun - I wish we would have driven in extra early because we could have spent hours shopping! Well, me and GiGi could have, these four...
Had fun eating and playing games.
Oh yeah, and meeting this guy, too!
(Emmy is at the "you want me to sit where on who? Get me away from that crazy scary looking bearded man!" phase.)
Quick stop for a picture of all 4 of us...
And GiGi and Pops, too!
It would rain. Then stop. Then rain. Then stop.
But these guys walked up and down the street for hours. Smiles on their faces spreading the Christmas spirit all around. Radley LOVED them!
Emmy was less enthused.
After all that shopping and stopping and raining and puddle hopping, we changed clothes and headed to the train depot. I forgot about wearing pjs but luckily I packed some for the car ride home and Ryan was sweet enough to run back out in the rain and get them from the car so the kids could change real quick.
I would like to note that they looked adorable in these outfits, too!
But Radley felt much more at home with the elves in his pajamas.
We met the Baileys which made these two pretty happy kiddos.
We rode the Polar Express two years ago with the Baileys and had an equally good time.
If you want an authentic train ride that follows the book - then I would recommend the Polar Express with the official Texas State Railroad. The cons are this is more expensive ($60/ticket for "First Class" which gets you hot chocolate, private dining car, etc) and you have to book WELL in advance.
If you want a fun experience that takes you on a train, you get to meet Santa, and sing songs and be entertained for an hour - then the North Pole Express in Grapevine is your thing. Grapevine had much more to offer as far as surrounding area with the shopping, restaurants, and other entertainment. The ticket prices were much less expensive ($18), but it is very commercialized. Sponsored by an energy company - they do several rides a day, etc... But the kids had a blast either way.
And the grown ups had fun, too!
It was finally time for our special guests to arrive! First, Mrs. Claus...
And then the big guy himself!
The kids were knocking each other down to get to him!
;)
But Kayla and Radley ended up being the only two who really wanted a visit!
Emmy was happy with her bell.
And I was happy that we got TWO family pictures in one day with almost everyone looking at the camera at once!
Looking forward to all the fun the season brings us!
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