Silver Bells

It’s hard not to get into the Christmas spirit while we’re here. I have never seen a town decorated so beautifully for Christmas. Lights are EVERYWHERE…they even do a twelve days of Christmas display along the road. I would love to come up here during warmer weather but I think I would setting myself up for disappointment…there’s just no way the town can out do itself.

We have pretty much done the same itinerary we had two years ago. We went to the Dixie Stampede Monday night. It is a really great show but we kind of went this time just for Aspen. I knew she would really appreciate the horses, snow, and a chance to see Santa. The boys enjoyed it too. We will definitely try something new next time though.

We did our scenic drive through the Smokey Mountains yesterday. We stopped along the way for a quick picnic. Grandma and I agreed that sandwiches taste sooo much better in an environment like that…the kids even eat better too. After our picnic we continued on to our destination…The Polar Express. The kids enjoyed a game of hide and seekGetting there was only half the fun though. Marc was having one of his episodes along the way. I heard a lot of, “What is this...Where the hell are we?” I have to admit that the towns we went through were the worst I have ever seen (even compared to those I have seen outside the USA). Everything was deserted and run down BUT people lived there. Cars were even buried along the side of the river. Marc wanted to turn around and told me, “If the train place looks like this, we ARE turning around.” I just laughed…mostly at all the crazy adventures I drag him on. At least he comes out of his shell and embarks on them with us :). We shared so many giggles on this trip :)
Thankfully, Bryson City WAS a real place. The train was actually really comfortable and Marc was able to relax once we were on board. The Polar Express was a really cute experience. However, once again, I get the mother of the year award…I think my kids were amongst the very FEW that did NOT have their pajamas on. Aspen and Nicholas asked me why all the kids were in their pajamas…I lied and said I didn’t know. I asked Nicholas if he wanted his and he replied, “NO WAY…that’s silly”…my Nicholas NEVER lets me down :).
The kids enjoyed their hot cocoa....
And chocolate treats :)
The workers on the train were FANTASTIC. Not only did they have smiles on their faces during the entire trip BUT they also seemed genuine. The train took us up to the North Pole and the kids got to see Santa’s House…Frosty’s too. Santa hopped on the train and came back to town with us. He gave all the kids their very own silver bells…Blake loved that, he’s my little collector. I love seeing the magic of Christmas in all their eyes.

Look who we picked up at the North Pole...Kids waved good-bye to Santa as he got back on to his sleigh.

We sang Christmas carols on the way back to the station.


We were all starving when we got back to the cabin after 8. Grandma had us covered though…she had put spaghetti in the crock pot before we left. We just had to wait for the noodles. It was AMAZING…I ate too much though. I can’t seem to stay up late out here…I am pooped by 11. I have to overcome it…getting a game of Dominos in is a must.