The North Pole Express

The Essex Steam Train transforms each Christmas season to the North Pole Express.  We decided it would be fun to go this year so we went with our wonderful neighbors.  Their daughters are Tucker's best buds and are a bit older (7 & 4) so they were able to experience the ride in a bit of a different way than Tucker.  Tucker was so excited to be going on a trip with his girls and to be going on a "choo choo." It was a very cute ride.  There is an elf (we had Jolly) on each train and they sing and dance and play games and then Santa and Mrs. Claus come and hand out a gift (bell) and hot cocoa and sugar cookies.  They had a dance party (which Tucker thoroughly enjoyed-I will try to get the video up soon-it's so cute!) too and we actually got to visit the "North Pole"! Here are a bunch of pictures that Kathleen took since we decided not to bring our camera-we had our hands full with Brayden's stuff and Tucker.  Brayden was a champ-slept the whole ride up and most of the train ride too!  

the note Jack left for Sienna & Addie

the guys holding down the fort

family photo in front of the steam engine

jolly the elf

enjoying his gift from Santa

he was LOVING his cookie and hot cocoa-had to transfer it to his cup b/c I kept spilling it out of the other cup on him!

walking to the train.  They take such good care of Tucker:)

yum! cookie!

Mrs. Claus

some post hot cocoa energy:)

Thanks for "taking us" Hoefer family!!!