The Christmas Train

We had the BEST night on Friday! A client that Bobby works with invited us to his home to ride a Christmas train that he has running at his house. I wasn't quite sure what to expect and was a little bugged that we were going to have to take Tyler out in the freezing cold to ride some dink train around somebody's yard. I was very mistaken. It was amazing!!! Apparently this family owns an entire block and in each house (6) on the block lives a different member of this family with all of their family. The entire Jolly (that's their name) family dedicates their home, time, and money to this Christmas train every year. The train runs on a track in between and around all the homes. They have every outdoor Christams thing imaginable from HUGE nativity sets to blow up Santa Clauses to lighted reindeer and Christmas trees placed along the track with music playing the entire ride. The first half of the ride is fun with all the traditional Chrimtmas motif and then you take a break at the North Pole (one of the houses-literally, they turn their house into the North Pole). An elf welcomes you to the North Pole and you go inside to see Santa's workshop, Mrs. Cluase knitting, a fireplace with stockings and Santa Clause himself! All the children take turns sitting on Santa's lap and he gives them a candy cane. Then he talks a little bit about the real meaning of Christmas, which leads into the second half of the train ride. All along the track they now have tons of large pictures of Jesus and Jesus with the little children and Mary and Joseph and they play the more serious Christmas songs. After the train ride is over you go into a different house where the mother is making donuts and hot chocolate for everyone. Oh, and while you wait for your turn to ride the train you go into a large heated barn and watch a Christams movie on a huge projector (we got to watch part of The Polar Express!).

I was SO impressed by this family's dedication to serving others and bringing the spirit of Christams to so many. Everybody in the families participate whether it is running the train (they actually wear ear pieces and have walkie talkies to communicate to one another), driving the train, cooking the food, dressing up in the North Pole or whatever. And it's all FREE!!! They do accept donations, BUT not for themselves, for the Primary Children's Hospital. How incredible are these people!

Well, for as much as I've jabbered on about this, I still don't feel I did this place justice. You should check out their website (yes, they even have a website!)if you get a chance, it's really neat. www.stringtown.us

Bobby was in charge of the camera for the night. I think you'll be able to tell (No offense, babe!)

A piece of Santa's workshop


Santa in his chair


Tyler on Santa's lap. He didn't cry, but rather stared at Santa the whole time. I was finally able to get him to look at me, but he refused to smile!


Santa telling us about the true meaning of Christmas


Tyler and I getting back onto the train-Not IN the train, just getting in...silly Bobby