Well - that brings us up to Christmas.  Or almost.  Here - we take the necessary pre-Christmas steps.  Lyell installs the first ornament on the Christmas tree.  Imagine that - its a fire truck.  Is there a theme to this web site?

Then - to make sure that we were in the holiday spirit - we headed out to take a ride on the "Santa Train".  It was certainly plenty wintery.  No snow - but windy, wet and cold.



Though nice inside the train.  Here we are on our way to see Santa.  As far as the boys are concerned - I think that they are just happy to be inside!

While our train was powered by a diesel locomotive - there were a number of vintage (and seemingly nonfunctional) steam powered locomotives to admire as we waited to see Santa.

It would be hard to say that our visit with Santa was anti-climatic - but not for the usual reasons.  Mason wanted to have absolutely nothing to do with the man in red - and Lyell makes the face of "Yikes - Mason is unhappy - but I didn't do it!!".  Well - this time at least.

And so - that prepares us all for an exciting holiday!  We hope that the same is true for you.