The Polar Express

Yesterday, we had the fantastic opportunity to head up to Williams to take a ride on the Polar Express. We ended up with more excitement than we bargained for, but with the Randall clan when is that new? We got to our hotel about 6:15 pm and hurried to get changed so we could be to the Train Depot in time to grab a bite to eat before departing for the North Pole at 8. As I said, when do plans ever turn out right? Gracie was very grumpy and not terribly happy about getting dressed or taking pics. This should have been my first clue. The camera hog didn't want the spotlight? As you can see she was not happy about posing.

Well, we hurried to the car and I (of course) forgot something in the hotel room UPSTAIRS! So I rushed back to get it and returned to find that Gracie had thrown up all over. And I mean ALL OVER!! She was covered, the car seat was covered, her coat was covered. So with another mad dash up to the room for clean jammies, a quick wipe down of the seat, and a loan of cousin Max's spare jacket we were on our way again, certain that it was only from gagging on mucus. We made it to the restaurant by 7:10 and thought we might just have enough time to eat and still make it since we were just across the courtyard from the train. We ordered and waited and waited and waited some more. At this point this pregnant mama was hungry and grumpy and getting more so by the minute! The waitress finally brought out my food, just in time for another projectile vomit from Gracie. (By the way, Yes, part of my food was covered in Gracie puke!!!) Fighting hysteria, I dragged Gracie to the bathroom and wiped her only pair of clean clothes down with a paper towel and tried to remember why we had thought this would be fun. Needless to say, by the time I had disposed of the larger chunks of throw up from Gracie and my clothes, I had only enough time to have the waitress put my remaining food (thank you Vicki for cleaning off the vomit covered section) into a doggie bag and run for the train. Gratefully, the train ride was uneventful puking wise and Gracie had a total blast seeing Santa!! I cheered up and we settled in to enjoy the ride.

Getting ready to board, (that's my uneaten dinner in Monti's hand) And trying to keep warm!!

Gracie was so excited to be on a CHOO CHOO! She just climbed all over trying to get different views of the passing countryside. And of course getting to sit by "Natah" was an added bonus. As you can see she seemed to be feeling better and really had fun.

"Hi Auntie Tracie!!"

As you can also see, a little bit of cocoa and a cookie in mommy's empty tummy helped settle me down too. Singing Christmas carols got us all in better spirits and got us ready for the BIG moment!

You should have seen Gracie dance a jig when Santa came walking into our car. She stood up on her daddy's lap and waved and cheered and kept telling us over and over "Santa! Santa!!" When he got to Gracie the delay on my camera kicked in and I only snapped one after he had given her the bell! But she was so precious!! No shyness, no crying just complete and utter adoration! She took her bell and said thank you and then just gawked as he handed the other kids their bells.

"Bye, Bye Santa! Love you!" and that's a direct quote.

All in all, even with the chaos, the puking (including all night after getting back to the hotel), the not eating from noon til 10:30, the late night run to the laundromat that ended up being closed, it was a pretty nice weekend. We got to spend a lot of quality time with people we love and see the Big Guy himself. Believe it or not it really got the Christmas spirit ignited in me and got me ready for the oncoming season, with all its chaotic fun and trauma. We love Christmas and our little Gracie is teaching us how much more we can get out of it with her in our lives!! Merry Christmas!