stringtown polar express

this being close to family gig is the greatest thing ever.

i just wish it were on some tropical island- that's not to much to ask....

anywho- carlie and porter have been delving out the holiday cheer in bushels.

activities galore-

when they invited us to ride this train in lindon we were all aboard....

prior to our boarding I did a bit of research on this event.

come to find out a group of family, neighbors, and friends got together and made a holiday train ride.

at first it was just a small event, but like anything spectacular friends tell friends and then things get out of control.

it’s a free ride.

since it’s become such a big deal they do ask for donations.

these donations they give back to the community.

this year they had 19,000 requests to ride their train. 19,000…. 5,000 on day one.

the event runs for 2 weeks in the evening.

over that time approximately 9000 people with ride it.

carlie and porter worked with a guy that was one of the founders- hence the sweet hook-up.

it’s a tiny cute train.

the community has imbedded the teeny tiny track throughout the yards and sidewalk of the area.

when we first entered they had us check-in.

after check-in we watched a bit of the polar express while we waited our turn.

then we boarded the train.

*crazy weird hair alert.... winter fashionista*

dale, mary, and i got lucky and got to sit in the front.

the first portion is santa inspired- you make your way to the north pole.

*mares in this picture tho*

then you’re dropped off at santa’s workshop.

where mr. claus greets you.

mary gladly walked right into his arms and onto his lap.

she was rewarded for such behavior; she got a see’s candy cane and a necklace with a bell on it.

it’s really the greatest having her love santa so much (almost as great as her being petrified of him….).

then santa reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas- a celebration of our Savior’s birth and life.

we exited his workshop to board another train.

the rest of the train ride was a beautiful portrayal of Christ’s  birth, life, and crucifixion.

there were beautiful portraits, a great nativity scene, and other elaborate depictions of Christ’s life.

all the while the most beautiful song was playing.

mary was mesmerized.

it was a beautiful reminder of the real reason for Christmas.

really grateful we got to experience the stringtown polar express.

mary has been sick the past couple weeks so we were about to cancel, but she loved it, and we loved it, so i’m glad we decided to go.

thankful for Christmas.

thankful for a savior that understand every single solitary thing i’m going through.

thankful for a savior that has never let me down and has always been there for me.

thankful for a holiday that celebrates his life- every second of every day should be a celebration of his life and sacrifice.

hope we all take a bit of time to remember the reason for our celebrating.

Merry Christmas!!