The Pistorius family has Christmas traditions like everyone else that we've continued from both of our families and passed on. But we've created new ones as well for our little family. The one that is most important is riding a Christmas train every year. It started in Georgia when Drew was 3 at Stone Mountain Park, on to Wisconsin to ride the Christmas Express at the East Troy Electric Railroad, and last year we rode the Christmas train at the historical B&O Railroad in Baltimore, Maryland. This year, we rode the North Pole Express in Grapevine, Texas.
The kids have been looking forward to this train ride with Santa and the day finally came! They did a little entertainment show before you boarded the train that was actually not very entertaining. It was kind of like a bad Thomas the train movie, but luckily it was just supposed to warm the kids up for the ride. As we boarded, there was fake snow in the air and Christmas trees everywhere. The train itself was awesome. The kids sat on one side and we changed the seat to go backwards for David and me to sit across from them. Drew sat by the window of course because he loves to just look out the window at everything passing by.
The train conductor came by to punch our tickets and then Santa made an early appearance. He gave each child a bell with "North Pole Express, Grapevine Railroad" on it. They are so nice and the kids loved ringing them the whole way there and back. There were teenagers who preformed and hosted our train car. We sang many Christmas songs and each person was asked what they wanted for Christmas. Dilan said "presents," Drew said, "Thomas trains," we answered "more teeth" for Drake, I said, "new boots," and David said, "a new gun." The person asked David if he hunted and David answered "no." Later, we discussed that he should have said, "yes, I hunt zombies." (if you know David, he's obsessed with zombies and may or may not think they are real. And he dreams about killing them too. And yes, he watches, The Walking Dead.)
The train conductor came by to punch our tickets and then Santa made an early appearance. He gave each child a bell with "North Pole Express, Grapevine Railroad" on it. They are so nice and the kids loved ringing them the whole way there and back. There were teenagers who preformed and hosted our train car. We sang many Christmas songs and each person was asked what they wanted for Christmas. Dilan said "presents," Drew said, "Thomas trains," we answered "more teeth" for Drake, I said, "new boots," and David said, "a new gun." The person asked David if he hunted and David answered "no." Later, we discussed that he should have said, "yes, I hunt zombies." (if you know David, he's obsessed with zombies and may or may not think they are real. And he dreams about killing them too. And yes, he watches, The Walking Dead.)
While on the train, the conductor came by to give each child a ticket for a free hot chocolate afterwards. A perfect ending to carrying on a Pistorius Christmas tradition!
Drew getting ready to exit the entertainment tent and onto the train!
Here we go!
David and Dilan in line to get on the train
Me and the kids in line
Getting on the train
Dilan, Drake, and Drew all in their Christmas pjs on the train
The conductor punching their tickets
Santa Claus visited them and gave them bells!
One of the young entertainers singing to Dilan and Drake
Here is a great picture of our precious boys!
Drew took a picture of David and me
Me and my boys
Trying to get a picture with David and the kids - didn't turn out so well!
The Pistorius boys in front of the caboose
Funniest picture ever! Dilan was definitely starting to melt down after the ride was over. She was upset that she couldn't hold Drew's ticket for hot chocolate, that she could only hold hers. It was so sad and unfair.
Drew in front of the Grapevine clock
The smile says it all and makes it all worth it.
A train ride followed by hot chocolate afterwards... how could this kid have a more perfect day?!?
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