Polar Express!

Visiting with Santa in our PJ's

Ryan playing with a toy train while waiting to ride the real one

Bryan and his older brother Troy

Headed to the North Pole

A-bear enjoying a chocolate chip cookie on the train

If I had to describe Bryan's parents in one word, it would be generous. This year they decided that it would be fun to take all of the grandkids (and their parents) who were here in Arizona on a trip on the Polar Express. We drove up to Williams where we took the Grand Canyon Railway to the North Pole. There we saw Santa's workshop and his elves, and he boarded the train and proceeded to give all of the kids their own big jingle bell. During the train ride we also had hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies and sang Christmas carols. At the train station we took pictures with Santa and visited with Mrs. Claus. It was a really fun experience, and Ryan had a ball with his cousins. Our kids were a little young to really get what it was all about, so we figure when Annie is four, we'll probably take them back again.

In any case, it was a wonderful trip and we had a great time with Bryan's family (though we did miss Teri, Alex and Maddie). Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for a fun and memorable experience!

Phoenix Zoo

Earlier this month we decided to start utilizing our zoo passes since it has finally cooled down. My friend Rachel and her kids Noelle and Sidney joined us, and the kids had a great time. Ryan and Noelle loved the goats in the petting zoo, and Ryan loved the giraffes. The day we went it was really empty, so Ryan and Noelle got to run around and completely enjoy themselves. We're looking forward to lots more zoo fun this winter!

Salt Lake Temple

Earlier this summer we decided it would be a fun tradition to start going somewhere to see temple Christmas lights every December. This year we chose Salt Lake. I was super excited--I have a hard time getting into the holiday spirit when it's 70 degrees out. We didn't have to worry about warm weather--we got in Friday night and it was cold and crisp. It snowed for the majority of Saturday, and Sunday before we went home it was frosty cold. We had fun visiting the temple grounds, shopping, riding the light rail and generally taking everything in. The kids weren't big fans of the hats and gloves and general bundling up, but once they started getting cold, they didn't seem to mind. It was a wonderful weekend and a good reminder that as much as I don't always love the warm weather of Arizona, you never have to shovel sunshine!