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!

Pure magic on the Huckleberry Railroad

This could become a very long story so I'll try and keep it short. The shorter, bulleted version:

• We decided to take all the babies to Crossroads village (about a half hours drive) to ride the Huckleberry Christmas train which travels through the woods passing by Christmas light displays. Never been before but it sounded really nice.

• Did we not learn anything from Zoo Lights?

• We got there, unloaded the kids and all their gear- two were in a double stroller, one was in the moby wrap against me, one in the ergo against Chris. We ran to the ticket booth and got there just in time (we thought) to catch the 5:50 train. 

• The 5:50 train and the 7:30 train were sold out. Only the 8:30 train, the last of the night, was available. Side note: WHY DIDN'T WE CALL AHEAD OR ORDER TICKETS ONLINE?! 

• By this point Colin was beyond excited about this train so I personally was NOT going home without riding the train.

• I suggested that we just "hang out" with all four kids, while we wait (almost 2 1/2 hours). 

• Chris suggested I was crazy. He was right. It was cold, starting to drizzle (why does it always rain whenever we attempt to take the babies out lately?) and our double stroller wasn't fitting through the door frames in the late 19th century quaint village.

• Chris drove the babies home (just to re-cap, so they basically got ready, were driven 30 minutes, were unloaded from the mini-van, were carried/ pushed around briefly in the cold and rain for a few minutes, and were then loaded backup and driven home!) The babies were actually great sports about it. They are such good babies. Life with these boys keeps reminding me to go with the flow. You gotta be able to adapt a plan that isn't working on the fly and not harbor any disappointment.

• Colin, my mom and I stayed and passed the time by walking around the small town in the cold rain and riding the merry go round (the fastest I've EVER seen, seriously) 

The fastest merry go round EVER

Watching and waiting for our turn

Gramma and Colin, passing the time

• When Chris got home, he stayed with the babies and my Dad drove back to join us for the train ride and drive us home after.

•  As we stood on the platform and waited for the train to approach, under my breath I said, "This better be good."

• IT WAS!!!!!!!!!

On the train, waiting to go

• Colin LOVED it! I've never seen him let loose like this. Singing along to the carols, dancing, hugging, smiling, telling us "Merry Christmas", and pointing out the window to the lights. It brought us such joy to watch him.

• My personal favorite memory is when he slung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into a back and forth sway to the music. Then he turned my face to his and gave me a big kiss. I mean seriously, does it get any better?

• For me, one of the best things about being a parent is getting to experience these sorts of things all over again, through the eyes of your child. Pure magic.