North Pole Flyer

Yesterday we rode the "North Pole Flyer." It is a vintage train ride that starts in Cedar Park, heads north to Burnet, and then comes back to Cedar Park. It was about a 2-1/2 hour ride along the Texas Hill Country in an old vintage train. Crew was so excited about! We had been talking about it the past week, and that morning he woke up at 5 am ready to go. Lucky for us, he did go back to bed, but when he finally got up all he could about was riding the choo choo and seeing Santa. Here are some pics of our excursion- What a fun day!

(And... if you are interested in this train the tickets go on sale in January- I know crazy! But I called up there about a month ago just to see if they had any cancellations and sure enough they had 2 seats available. So I guess this a major popular Christmas activity in Austin, so book early!)

Daddy and Crew walking to the train.

All Aboard! Ready for the fun!

The neat snack shop and souvenir train car.

(They served free hot cocoa to all the passengers.)

After we sat in our seats Mrs. Claus came by and delivered snicker doodle cookies, yum!

There were carolers singing Christmas songs.

Then they came to our car and read- "The North Pole Flyer" book.

And we were surprised by the big man himself- Santa Claus!

Santa gave all the kids a gift- a wooden train whistle.

Crew blowing the whistle- choo choo!

He loved his train whistle, even took it with him to see Santa!

The front of the train looking at the engine with Mr. C.

Crew LOVED Santa this year- he is still talking about it!

Can't wait for this excitement on Christmas Morning if he was this excited to ride the train.

Christmas through the eyes of a child is such a wonderful gift, we are truly blessed!
Merry Christmas to you all!

Crew's Christmas

This was one busy week for Mr. Crew! At school on Monday he performed in his first Christmas concert. To say the least, I had tears in my eyes as he performed! I couldn't imagine a 2 year old singing along, doing the hand movements- yet alone standing in one place- but he did it!!! And did a fabulous job!! Then at school on Wednesday the day ended with a class Christmas party.

He has had so much fun at school this year already- we have to pray for his teachers and everyone in his class every night (don't you just love the heart of a child?)- and cannot wait to see what next year has in store! Merry Christmas!

The kids each walked into the chapel carrying stuffed animals that are to be donated to the Children's Hospital in Austin. They laid their animals right by the manger with Baby Jesus.

They then sat in a pew with their class and listened to a short bible lesson.

(they all stayed seated- can u believe it?)

Getting ready for the big performance.
Crew's "best buddy" Jack is right behind him.

He found mommy!!

Ok, so cannot figure out how to get the video on here

(if you can share any advice I would LOVE it)

Here is the link to his performance on YouTube.

Crew is wearing the red shirt in the front row (near the middle).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaN1R35aBIE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Then today was the class party:

Don't you just love a 2 year old's imagination?

Enjoying some Christmas cookies and juice.

The kids each drew a picture and we had it laminated and bound for the teachers-

they LOVED it!=)

And now you can really see how Crew feels about crafts- he is def a boy!

He came home with a beautiful glittered pine cone Christmas tree and a decorated gift for us which was a ........

Beautiful wreath ornament for our tree!

I will cherish it and enjoy it for many more Christmas' to come!