The Christmas Train

First snow of the year!  We woke up and it was C-O-L-D!  The high was 20 (maybe).  What fortuitous timing, because today was the day we took the Cog Railroad all the way to the North Pole.  The snow really put us all in the Christmas spirit.  The roads were a bit slippery on the drive down to Manitou, but we got there with time to spare.  Which was good, because there were no bathrooms on the train, so the kiddos needed to take a pit stop.  Here is a shot of Bode with some of his friends before getting on the train.

We also snapped a quick picture of Bode with Mommy.

We were fortunate to have a surprise rider with us on the train--the Mrs. Santa Claus.  I think her first name is Shaunita, but I'm not positive...Shaunita Claus.

The ride to the North Pole was surprisingly short--only about 40 minutes.  The time flew by, because there were elves and minstrels riding with us, singing Christmas carols and entertaining us.  Once there, we were glad we had our hats and mittens because it was quite chilly.  There was a nice supply of hot chocolate and cookies, which really hit the spot at eleven in the morning.

Here's a cute shot of Bode and Mommy.  For those of you that read the blog often, you will notice Kristen (in the hat) and Eric in the background.

We waited our turn, and were eventually led past the armed guard (elf) into Santa's lair.  Bode told Santa he wanted a bulldozer for Christmas (which is the first we've heard of this).

Afterwards, we lounged around the North Pole and took in the scenery.  We were lucky and saw a reindeer.

We did not do much the rest of the day.  Bode helped me (hindered me from) shovel, which was fun.  Harley loves it when we shovel.  Evidently attacking a shovel is the biggest thrill for a rottweiler.  Speaking of Harley, she seems to know when Ashley and I aren't around to enforce the rules.  I was upstairs on the computer and happened to look over the balcony.  This is what I saw.

I need to talk to Bode about keeping her off the couch.  One more week of classes for me, and then it's time to grade finals.  After that, ten or eleven days off from work!  Pleasant week to all.