All Aboard! The Polar Express came to life as we embarked on a round trip adventure to the North Pole at the Texas State Railroad in Rusk, Texas. If it wasn't for the long ride and price of the tickets this would be a yearly tradition. It was honestly a magical experience and worth every minute and penny. Since this will most likely be a one-time trip, we chose to go the year both kids were old enough to understand what was going yet young enough to still "Believe."
We have our tickets!!!
Patiently waiting for the train to arrive in our new Christmas pajamas and reindeer slippers.
Having our tickets punched to board the train.
All aboard!!! Let the journey begin!!!
Snuggling with our Christmas blankets!!!
Believer Cash
Believer Brady
Eating our holiday cookies and drinking "Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate!" (One of our favorite songs! The waiters actually danced and sung up and down the aisles just like in the movie. So fun!!!)
The conductor punching more letters into our tickets to spell "BELIEVE."
We're here! The North Pole!!! Taking a peak at Santa's village was Brady's favorite part of the trip.
Brady merrily dancing with some of the passengers up and down the aisle.
Santa giving all of the believing children their very own bell.
I can hear it ring! I believe in Christmas magic!!! (Cash immediately put the bell into his pocket to keep it safe. Good thing he didn't have a hole in it like the little boy in the movie.)
"At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believes." (the touching last line in the book and movie)
Our journey ended as we sang Christmas carols on the train ride back to the depot, Cash's favorite part of the trip.
Josh Groban's, "Believe," the final song in the movie also played and signified the end of our magical ride. It will forever in my heart be my favorite Christmas song. The lyrics will always bring back the memory of our extraordinary trip on the Polar Express and my wish that Brady and Cash will always believe in the true magic of Christmas.
Children sleeping
Snow is softly falling.
Dreams are calling
Like bells in the distance.
We were dreamers
Not so long ago.
But, one by one
We all had to grow up.
When it seems the magic slipped away,
We find it all again on Christmas Day.
Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing.
There's no time to waste,
There's so much to celebrate.
Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.
Trains move quickly
To their journey's end.
Destinations
Are where we begin again.
Ships go sailing
Far across the sea.
Trusting starlight
To get where they need to be.
When it seems that we have lost our way,
We find ourselves again on Christmas Day.
Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing.
There's no time to waste,
There's so much to celebrate.
Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.
If you just believe
If you just believe
If you just believe
Just believe
Just believe
Snow is softly falling.
Dreams are calling
Like bells in the distance.
We were dreamers
Not so long ago.
But, one by one
We all had to grow up.
When it seems the magic slipped away,
We find it all again on Christmas Day.
Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing.
There's no time to waste,
There's so much to celebrate.
Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.
Trains move quickly
To their journey's end.
Destinations
Are where we begin again.
Ships go sailing
Far across the sea.
Trusting starlight
To get where they need to be.
When it seems that we have lost our way,
We find ourselves again on Christmas Day.
Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing.
There's no time to waste,
There's so much to celebrate.
Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.
If you just believe
If you just believe
If you just believe
Just believe
Just believe
