Just Back From the Polar Express

We've just returned from a FANTASTIC two days in Chattanooga.  Yesterday we checked Kaydee out of school early and drove to Tennessee.  We were early for our train ride so we did some Christmas shopping.  Then we drove to the train station and prepared to board the Polar Express.  Kaydee and Abby were so SO excited.  (Okay....I was a little giddy myself.)  We finally got on the train and started our journey to the North Pole.  The girls ate gingerbread cookies and drank chocolate milk (warm Yoohoo....ick) while we listened to an elf read "The Polar Express".  Then we went through a magic tunnel that took us directly to Elf Land.  We saw Santa's Workshop, the houses where the elves live, and some of the reindeer.  And then we saw the Jolly Old Elf himself.  Santa boarded the train and Kaydee was able to tell him she wanted a doctor's kit for Christmas.  Then he gave everyone silver bells.  We all sang "Jingle Bells" and other Christmas carols on the return trip to the train station.  We had a really really good time.

Shane had enough Marriott points for a free room, so we stayed overnight to extend the fun into two days.  The girls love staying at hotels.  They thought it was cool that they got to share a "big bed".   I thought it was cool that they actually went to sleep.

This morning we got up, ate breakfast (Kaydee was beyond thrilled with the selection---they had just about every breakfast food I can think of), then drove downtown.  We took a small detour to the Chattanooga National Cemetery.  It was amazing to see all the white tombstones in perfect rows.  Many of them were from the Civil War.

We got to the Creative Discovery Museum just as they were opening.  The girls had a great time playing in the water, climbing up and going down the big slide, digging for dinosaur bones, and making music.  On the top floor they had a special display set up on philanthropy.  Kaydee wrote a note about something she had done for someone else, and we made Christmas cards for soldiers stationed overseas.

We ate lunch at Sticky Fingers before heading home.

We had a LOT of fun as a family!!!  There are lots and lots and LOTS of pictures in the December Gallery.