The Polar Express Train Ride

It seems like Grandma and Grandpa are always trying to think of fun experiences for the grandkids and this November they did another great one!  There is a Polar Express train ride in Branson, MO.  So, because we all love surprises so much, we didn't tell the kids our plan.  We drove down on Friday afternoon with plans to all arrive around the same time.  Grandma and Grandpa got there first to get our rooms all ready and scope out the area.  We pulled in just a few minutes before the Haberberger family and it was so fun to watch the kids freak out when they saw each other.

After dropping our stuff off in our rooms, we all went to dinner at the restaurant at our hotel.  We did this trip the weekend in between Ethan and Sam's birthdays, so we brought all our presents along for them. 

Our server brought the boys blueberry muffins with candles in them and we sang Happy Birthday!

After dinner we went over to the arcade to play a few games.  Brian, Kevin and the older boys all played laser tag while the little kids played some of the video games.  After that, we went to see a drive through light display at a local park.

The kids at breakfast the next morning.

After breakfast we went to the Titanic Museum.  We all really enjoyed it.  (Well, maybe not Emily and Annie so much) They had a ton of interesting information and exhibits to see.  Some of the favorites were getting to touch an iceberg wall, walking on little boat decks that were angled to show you how the boat tilted while sinking and putting your hand in water that was at the same temperature at the water the night it sank.  And afterwards we had a chance to get some pictures as we waited for the last people in our group to get through the exhibits.

When we got back to the hotel, we suited up and went to the indoor waterpark!  It was a perfect way to get some energy out. 

Although some points did have their lows.  I think Abby stubbed her toe and Ben had to sit in time out for some reason.  What a sad pair!

After the waterpark, we all needed a rest.  While some people slept, others of us enjoyed a couple adult beverages.

We had an early dinner and then, the whole reason we went to Branson.......THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE!  The kids STILL didn't know we were doing this.  We told them that they all had to get in their PJs because we were just going to go to bed early.  I can't remember how we got them in the car, but we didn't tell them until we actually got to the train station that we were riding the polar express.

So excited waiting for the train!  They had all kinds of light decorations outside the train station for the kids to look at.

Ethan's friend from school, Andrew, was also on his train!  His mom overheard me talking about it one day and said she was going too!  We had each planned the trip separately and ended up on the same train!

The Hobo was waiting on the top of the train!

After taking our seats, the conductor came around to each kid to get their ticket.  He asked them their name and punched the first letter of their name into their ticket with his hole punch.  Grandma had given each family the Polar Express book, so we also had everyone sign that book.

Once the train started going, they read the entire Polar Express book over the sound system.  Good thing we had the book to follow along!  

The ride to the North Pole was long, so they served us hot chocolate and cookies during the ride.

And once we made it to the North Pole we picked up SANTA CLAUS!!  Santa came around to each and every family to say hello and we got a picture with him!

 Even the Hobo came around to say hi.  We got his signature too!

We made it back to the train station and deboarded. Needless to say, after such an action packed day, the kids were tired when we got back.  The next morning we went to breakfast, church and then made our way home!

Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa for the awesome experience!  It's a trip we will not soon forget!