Trains...

Noah is crazy for trains. It's hard to tell when exactly it started, but it has been this way for a long, long time. He's been on small-scale trains, full size trains (the kind that goes out and back in about 20 minutes) and trains that are really just cars pulled by a lawn-mower type tractor. You would think for a boy that is that nuts for trains, he would be grinning from ear to ear when we encounter one. That's not the case, though, no matter what kind of train it is. The bigger, more serious the train, the more serious he gets. For a full size train, the expression on his face is like someone took his favorite toy away from him. He gets a big frown, his eyebrows furrow deeply and he gets a look on his face like someone is getting ready to punish him.

That's when we know he is having some serious fun. We took this trip for the (almost) sole purpose of letting Noah ride a real train for Christmas - combining a real train, and Santa Claus, and the snows of Colorado all in one trip.

The Polar Express is a widely loved book and movie, and is recreated on various trains around the country. But there are few places where you can experience the mountain wilderness, the snowy rivers and the exquisite "North Pole" like the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado. The train arrives out of the mist, puffing steam and coal exhaust as it rolls into the station to pick all the kids up. The kids, and many of their parents, are dressed in pajamas, robes, slippers and various other bedtime wear as they get ready for the journey of their short lifetimes.

Noah enjoyed the hot chocolate, the cookie, the dancing & singing chefs, the conductor punching our train tickets, and especially Santa handing out his very special Christmas bell.

We peeked at the train the morning of our big train ride

We watched the Engineer shovel coal and spit shine (literally) the windows

Choo Choo!

Leaving for Silverton

Later that night:

A family picture, right before we leave the station

Excited for the train to arrive, running around in his footed PJ's

Getting ready to board the train.

Getting his Christmas cookie.

Alllll aboard!!!!

Having fun with the train tickets. He looooved those tickets.

Hey...is that Santa? Holy cow, I think I just saw Santa...

Getting a Christmas bell from Santa.

He played with that bell for the rest of the trip back, and most of the night.

Snow Day in Durango

We really wanted to take Noah tubing, but unfortunately the snow has been low and they haven't opened up tubing hill yet at Purgatory Mountain. It was pouring snow though yesterday, and we just went to play. Noah had a great time! And although it seriously takes FOREVER to get him dressed in all the gear, it was worth it. And for some reason a 2 yr old in ski bibs is hilarious to me! Is it just me? I got the bibs for cheap at Target. And thanks to Aunt Ra-Ra for handing down Charlie's old snow boots. They are perfect!

Catching "noflakes" on his tongue

I figured no harm in encouraging playing with snowballs...

He's a good shot!

This look of joy was from him throwing "noballs" at me

Apres Ski

Excuse the pizza sauce (or was it ketchup?) on his face.

It was a blizzard!

Not the best family picture, but I still love it. Yes, at 8 months pregnant I'm sporting Paul's ski coat. I refuse to spend money on a maternity coat this late in the game.

Embarking on Christmas Vacation

In lieu of gifts of more toys or other material things this season, we decided to give the family the gift of a memorable trip to the North Pole, via the Polar Express. This trip encompassed the best of what we each love - Mom and Dad's love of Colorado and the mountains, Noah's love of trains, Mom's love of making Noah happy and Dad's love of seeing his wife happy and excited. The only thing missing was our dog Wally, who is staying with a friend but would have loved the snow.

Elliot Henry's impending arrival has slowed things down a little, and made the altitude adjustment a little more difficult than normal, but all the additional red blood cells Mandy is creating at this altitude should make the last month at sea level a breeze.

We met and made some great friends this trip, as Mandy and I got to meet her imaginary friend Missi and her wonderful family. Mandy "met" a group of due date buddies when she was pregnant with Noah on a pregnancy message board and has kept in touch with a few of them to this day. Noah had fun running around with Rianna (4 days older than him, 10 lbs lighter with just as much spunk).

Before we left, Mandy told me how difficult it was to travel with Noah, citing her last trip to South Carolina by herself, pregnant, to see my sister Laurie and her daughter Amelia. I don't know what she was talking about - it was a piece of cake. Of course there were two of us, Noah is behaving much better than he was a few months ago and we had brand new toys to keep him occupied on the flight.

We landed in Albuquerque, made a short drive to the nearest Chik Fil A to expend some energy and get ready for the several hour drive to Durango. Noah was doing well, enjoying the greater part of a huge milk-and-cookies shake before briefly meeting Mark, Missi, Denny and Rianna. He left a quick, but memorable gift to Albuquerque's landfill, and we hotfooted it out of town. We had a great, scenic drive to Durango and a rare opportunity to have a lengthy adult discussion while Noah slept. We have some great pictures, and other stories, both of which will follow in the next few posts................
It's always good to do a few push-ups before a flight

Chick-Fil-Et

We go to Chick-Fil-Et all.the.time. Noah doesn't recognize other fast food places but he knows "Filet". Kind of embarrassing. But mostly we go in mornings to use their playroom which is always clean and uncrowded. And he gets a fruit cup and milk. Not so bad, right? Here are some pics of him and Caleb (one of his bestest friends) wrestling. Caleb loves to wrestle and bless his heart, doesn't get that SOME kids don't like it (i.e. Ezven who you'll see in one of them likes his personal space). But, Noah is always game for rough housing.

Friends

Noah is lucky at 2 years old to already have lots of friends thanks to The Brookside Mother's Association and all the friends we've made through his playgroup. We live in a great neighborhood for young families. He also has a buddy only a few weeks younger than him just 2 doors down. They have lots in common including their love of eachother's trains! Hudson always asks to come play with "O-Nah's" trains and Noah is always wanting to play with Hudson's. Today was snowy and windy and we didn't venture out. But, luckily Hudson came by to play trains. I think it'll be fun to look back on these pictures when they are teenagers in school together.

Choo Choo Trains at Union Station

Today we went and saw the giant train display at Union Station with some friends. Noah was so excited. He had to wear his train hat. He also rode a miniature train that used to be the one at the old Jones store downtown with his buddy Caleb. It was a fun outing for my train obsessed boy.

He now says "Cheese Please!" instead of smiling. It results in this face:

Santa isn't so bad

Noah was terrified of Santa last year. This year we saw him ride in on his sleigh at Crown Center. When Santa came by and said hi, he was close to tears................(I on the other hand look a little over enthused).........

But, yesterday we played at the Crayola Land (where you see Santa) and he had so much fun playing for about an hour when I casually suggested he say hi and give him a high 5. Before I knew it, he was on his lap and did very well! He refused to smile for me though! Then he asked to go run and play on the "crowns" (crayons) some more.

This was December of 2007:

And December of 2008, a much braver 2 year old now :

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving was fun this year at the Thomas house. We had great weather, most of our family and some good grub too. We have a lot to be thankful for <3