Christmas Train

Riding the Christmas train is quickly becoming one of our favorite experiences of the Christmas season! 

I love everything about the experience. The excitement of the boys. The lights. The old buildings all lit up. The Christmas music playing throughout the town. The power of the train as it approaches the station and how the steam pours out from the top. How all the children riding the train always wave and how all the children watching the train pass, always wave back. 

The boys are at such a fun age to have these sorts of experiences with. They go nuts for the fact that they are riding THE Christmas train and that Santa actually comes all the way down from the North Pole to wave to them while they ride the train! The boys ride with their faces pressed against the glass, mesmerized by the lights and searching for Santa. They hold our hands, cuddle in close and sing along to the music piping through the train. It's the best ever and these are memories I'll never forget. 

Dinner before. My Mom is out of town visiting my Grandmother. She was missed! 

Finn

The boys with Pop-Pop

Ready to board!

Christmas Train rides 2011, 2012, 2013

All Aboard the Christmas Train!

This past Saturday night we went to Flint, MI to ride the Christmas train. It was Carter, Finley and Everett's first time, but for Colin, it was his third time. Colin had talked it up quite a bit to his brothers and it did not disappoint!

Carter and my Mom

We all loved watching the wonder and excitement on their faces as they took in all the lights and the overall experience. 

When the train passed Santa (standing out in the snow and the cold waving to all the boys and girls going by!) our boys pressed their faces against the windows, waved and blew kisses excitedly. Again, the wonder, the excitement and the awe times four..... pretty sweet.

Finn, Carter, Colin, Everett (Owen stayed home- too cold for him)

In other news, would you believe that as of yesterday I had not one single present purchased? Believe it! I think part of the reason I've taken my procrastination to a whole new level this year, is that I'm finding it challenging as I shop for gifts for triplets. They're the same age obviously, the same gender and are all interested in the same things (I really have four boys interested in the same things). I've contemplated buying four of one item but that gets expensive, buying different things for different boys (but they're ALL interested in the same things), buying toys to share (but they have to share A LOT already), or doing a combination of the above. It's feeling trickier this year than in years past. 

In the end we decided to buy one really big gift- something that they haven't even thought to ask for but that we think (hope!) they will love. We ordered it today and I already can't wait to give it to them!!!

Then we'll get a few less expensive toys (i.e. grabbers, play-doh hair cut sets, superman shirts with capes....) that they will all have their own of. I've learned that it's important they each have some things that are only theirs. For example, about a month ago I got them all pencil boxes to hold their own set of crayons, glue and scissors. They LOVE having their own box with their name on it. 

I also haven't even ordered our Christmas cards yet. I'm thinking they may turn into "Happy New Year" cards! OR "Happy Valentines Day".... kidding..... I hope it doesn't get to that point!!

I refuse to stress about this stuff too much though. Because it is only "stuff". 

Btw, got a good laugh remembering the first time we went on the Christmas train. Ahhh, memories!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving already seems like a while ago now. But I haven't had a chance to post pictures... until today. We had a lovely time at my parents with my brothers, sis-in-law and niece Macy. Macy is so cute! She's 7 months older than the triplets and very into dresses. She'll put on a new dress, then walk into a room and wave her hands in the air in a "Ta DA! Look at me!" motion. My boys just stare, confused and slightly unimpressed. Men.

Here's the crew around the Thanksgiving table:

Of all my children, Carter was most into Thanksgiving. He ate and ate and ate and ate! He LOVED the turkey.

Seriously loved it. His vegetarian mama doesn't cook much, if any meat at our house so I guess he was taking advantage of the opportunity. :)

The next night Kyle, Madeline, Chris and I took Colin and Macy to Crossroads Village to ride the Christmas train (as Colin calls it). They also got to meet one of Santa's actual reindeer!

Colin and Macy waiting for their turn to meet the reindeer

Here comes the train! I can't even explain how cold it was on this night! FREEZING! After waiting a half hour outdoors to see the reindeer, we couldn't wait to get on the warm train. I was so thankful that we hadn't attempted to bring the trips too. They would have been so cold and I think they are still just a little too young to fully enjoy it. Plus I learned my lesson from last year's trip! 

While we were at my parents, it snowed just enough for Colin and my mom to build the first snowman of the year. 

Now we're back in Holland and the only thing that stands between me and fully Christmasing is a 20 page research paper. UGH!!! Don't. Want. To. Write It! I'm going to force myself to try and get it done soon so that I can have it behind me and enjoy my most favorite time of year! This would be huge because usually I procrastinate until the last minute. We shall see how this unfolds.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!