The Polar Express!

We found the best kept secret in Utah! The Anderson family in upper Lindon share a wonderful family tradition each year! All of their families live on the same block. They share about 5 acres of land and they are all crazy about trains. They have set up a track all through their property and during the Christmas season they do a "Polar Express" train ride around their property. It is amazing! It is pretty hard to get a reservation but thanks to my dear friend Lois...we were able to go! It was kinda last minute...so we couldn't get everyone here...but next year....!
Thanks so much Lois!
All the kids wore their pj's and BIG COATS! It was chilly! When you arrive you go into a big heated garage and watch The Polar Express movie until it is your turn. Then you go out to board the "train"and then line up to go on your adventure! I asked one of the sons why they do this... and he said that they want their children to learn to serve otheres at an early age... The whole family and some neighbors are there to help each night! What a great family and wonderful tradition!
Here we are waiting to go!

Oaks and Jenny

Becca and her girls and Sadie!

Jen and Hal with the kids.

Nate and Trey !

Preston and Angie "All Aboard"!

The Miller's... on board!

Dal and Lizzy and Hal

Here we go!

Lizzy and Dal with Mason! CHOO CHOO!

We are OFF TO THE NORTH POLE!

Through candy cane land....

SOON WE ARRIVE AT THE NORTH POLE!

Santa is there to greet all the children at his workshop!

Here are some of his darling little elfs!

Each of the kids got to sit on his lap for a few minutes and then Santa taught all of us about the candy cane and what it means! He gave all of the kids a candy cane and a ribbon with the polar express bell on it. Then he told us that on our way back to our home we would see things that would teach us about the "true meaning of Christmas".

Listening to Santa

All the way back we saw paintings of Christ's life. It was absolutely beautiful!


Here we are all done!

Such a fun experience!

The kids loved every minute and it was a very special night!



Let's go get some hot chocolate!

Next year we will have to try to get this on the schedule earlier so EVERYONE can come! It was a very special night!

Abby's 4th Birthday!

A "Princess Belle" cake for Abby!

Here is the Sweeten and Marchbanks crew! We sure love Fran and Todd and their kids!

It is another Princess birthday for Miss Abby!

Becca and the girls arrive!

I am a bit behind on posting... Becca and the girls arrived on Dec 10th for Christmas! We are so glad to have them here! When they arrived we took the evening to have dinner at the Joseph Smith building and then see all the lights on Temple Square! It was a really fun night!

Rupert Arrives at the Millers!

Rupert was found hiding in Millers car on their way home from Grandma's! (He knows when there is a party). He made himself right at home and got down to business! Here is Mason reading him a story.

Mason found himself a buddy!

"Train an elf up in the way he should go!" GO COUGARS! NO UTES~!

A TRUE BLUE COUGAR!

Oakley took Rupert sleding!

The CRASH!

We couldn't stay away!

We just back from the hospital again! She was all bathed and looking beautiful with a big red bow in her hair! The nurse brought her back in to Heather and Ryan in a great big red Christmas Stocking! Ryan is in love again...can you tell?

Daddy with his tiny baby girl


So sweet...

Millie Anne Marchbanks Arrives!

Miss Millie Anne Marchbanks arrived this afternoon at 3:49pm. She weighed in at 6lbs 10 oz. Baby is Healthy and Mom looks beautiful! Baby sister is not quite sure about all of this and Dad survived! Congrats Ryan and Heather! We are thrilled to pieces! You did a great job Heather!

Who looks this good in hard labor?

Miss Millie Anne with her family

What a beauty!

Mom and baby are doing great!

Happy Birthday Sadie!

There is nothing I like better than birthday's at Build A Bear! Anytime I can talk a grandchild into going there! I am in heaven! I want to buy everything I see! Miss Sadie had her 7th birthday and she decided it was Build A Bear or bust!! Angie came with us and that made it even more special! I can't believe Sadie is getting so big! I remember when she was 6 mos old and we were in St Charles, Mo shopping at this wonderful spice store. Lizzy had her in a little tiny wicker shopping basket. She was so bitsy! We sure love you Sadie and we are so proud of the darling young lady you are becoming! Thanks for taking me to Build a Bear! It was so fun to have your mom come too! Bella Bunny Ballerina will love belonging to you! Take good care of her! I love you!

Rupert is at Matt, Angie and Sadies!

Rupert surprised Sadie and Angie and Matt last night! The found him hiding in their Christmas tree! He sure is a sneaky elf!

Sadie was so excited to see him!

His first stop was a potty break! Good job Rupert!

Matt was excited to see him and to snuggle!

I am sure Rupert will tell Santa that Sadie is being really good!

We sure love Rupert and can't wait to see where he goes! Watch for him! He might show up at your house next!

RUPERT IS IN LOGAN!

We were so relieved to hear that Rupert FINALLY showed up in Logan! He was on Amy and Brett's front porch when Mckay went to school! He was almost frozen! Benny was afraid that he might run off again... He was worried that he needed to be in the North Pole helping Santa. Amy explained to him ...that his job is to check on all the Marchbanks grandkids and be sure they are being good to each other and that they are helping out during this Christmas season! So they put in a nice cozy bed to warm him up...and then the fun began! Treats galore and lots of hugs! Thanks Horsley kids for taking care of Rupert! I guess he will be on his way again shortly!

Rupert arriving in Logan!

In his nice warm bed! It was so cold out there!

Jaxson is sharing his ice cream with Rupert!

Is that Mistletoe? Hmmmm???

The Nutcracker!

Sadie had her dance recital on Saturday night! She danced in the Nutcracker! She was awesome! She had a couple of "costume malfunctions" and she handled them like a pro! It was so fun to watch you Sadie! You are growing up so fast! Grandpa and I loved to see you! Our favorite part was when you came out of the box as a doll! You were so cute!

Angie ~ Sadie and Matt

Ballerina Sadie

Grandpa and Grandma with the star of the show!