The Polar Express

On Saturday, December 11th, we packed Chase and Madelyn into the Murphy's minivan, and we headed to the North Pole. The kids had a blast on the way to the train station - they were both so excited about the Polar Express...and excited about riding next to each other in the car!

After meeting the conductor and having a quick picture taken, our tickets were called to board the train. Chase was in awe - it was the first time that he got to get close to a real train.

More awe.

I just love the look in Chase's face (actually in his reflection) as we left the train station.

Madelyn and Chase were very lovey-dovey on the train...holding hands, hugging, and giving lots of kisses.

Chase even sat on Madelyn's lap while they were eating their gigantic lollipops.... don't ask me why! The lollipops were a great idea because they kept the kids occupied for a LONG time.

The elves on the train were also great at keeping the kids occupied! Chase especially loved hanging out with Smiley, the elf.


After about a 30 minute train ride, we arrived at the North Pole. The picture below was taken right as the kids spotted Santa Claus for the first time.

I hope you can see the look on Chase's face...it's a little hard to see (and the moment was hard to capture with a camera)...but he was jumping up and down, hand over his mouth, screaming. If you didn't know better, you would have thought he was a 12-year-old girl seeing Justin Beiber in person! It was quite funny and heart-warming all at the same time.

There is nothing better as a parent to see the look of pure joy and excitement on your child's face.

After giving the first gift of Christmas to one lucky boy, Santa boarded the train and spent time with each child. Chase and Madelyn were so excited waiting for their turn to see Santa. Chase told Santa that he wanted Painted Thomas and Annie & Claribel for Christmas. It was a precious conversation!

Before Santa left, he asked Chase what his mommy wanted for Christmas.

Chase's response, "Trains, of course."

We all had a good laugh at that one...

Chase was one happy guy - the trip on the Polar Express combined all of his favorite things... trains, Santa Claus, lollipops, pajamas, and Madelyn.

The guys were pretty happy too....we smuggled a cooler of beers onto the train as well as some delicious subs, chips, and cookies for dinner.

All in all, the trip was a success....the kids AND the adults had a great time.

We are looking forward to going on the Polar Express next year with the whole family - Tyler included.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Chase!

I wanted you more

than you will ever know,
so I sent love to follow wherever you go.

It's high as you wish it. It's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself.

So climb any mountain....climb up to the sky!
My love will find you. My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!
My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lots, never fades, never ends...
if you're working...or playing...or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...
paint 'til you're blue...
There is no place, not one, that my love can't find you.

And if someday you're lonely or someday you're sad,
or you strike out at baseball,
or you think you've been bad...


Just lift up our face, feel the wind in your hair.
That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass...in the smell of the sea...
in the clouds floating by...
at the top of a tree...
in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved. You are loved. You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and so deep,
it's always right there,
even when you're asleep.


So hold your head high
and don't be afraid
to march to the front
of your own parade.


If you're still my small babe
or you're all the way grown,
my promise to you is you're never alone.


You are my angel, my darling, my star...
and my love will find you, wherever you are.


You are loved.

- "Wherever You Are my love will find you" by Nancy Tillman

Clifford the Dog

Last Friday, we met some friends at Tully's for dinner and then headed over to Barnes and Noble to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog. Although the kids were very excited to see Clifford, it wasn't nearly as fun as playing together in the kids section at B&N. Chase, Madelyn, and Addie had a blast chasing each other around, reading books, and playing trains together. But the best part was that the adults actually got to sit down and catch up for about an hour while the kids played (very quietly)....it was a great way to spend a Friday night (although the adults all joked about how much Friday nights have changed in the last 3 years)!!!!

Pre-Christmas (and pre-haircut)

Yup - I am still very behind with the blog. These pictures are from before Christmas (and before Tyler's haircut)!!!! It's funny looking back because Tyler has grown up so much in the last two months...he has really transformed from a baby into a toddler ... he is talking so much more, running all over the place, and climbing on things that I didn't even know could be climbed! He is into everything and has definitely earned his nickname, "Tyler, the one man wrecking crew."

We were a little delayed this year in getting out our Christmas decorations. These pictures were taken about 2 weeks before Christmas. We were all decorating the tree when we realized that Tyler was no where to be found. Of course, I panicked....and ran to check out all of his usual hiding places. I should have known that he would have gone right to the Christmas tree box - not sure why I was so surprised to find this little head peeking out!!! Silly boy!

Tyler on Display

Is it Summer Yet?

Or at least baseball season....

This One's for You, Grandma Gaye

Sorry for the "blog-slacking," folks! I don't even have a good excuse, but I promise the blog will be up and running soon! I uploaded 377 pictures last night....it was a little embarrassing because some of the photos were taken before Christmas. YIKES! Check again in the next few days, and I promise there will be some new pics to look at!

And to Grandma Gaye...I thought that this picture might be slightly more interesting than the picture of Chase with his antlers on that you have been looking at for the last 60 days! PS - thanks again for the fun dinner last night :)