Christmas Train 2009

In 2004, we decided to drive over to Pryor to see The Christmas Train. I was eight months pregnant with Reid, it was cold, but we were hooked. The place is just magical. The next year, they closed for renovations and stayed closed for three years.

Last year, they reopened and we were there. It is officially a Crawley family tradition. This year, I bought the tickets as soon as they went on sale in November and we headed there on Sunday night.


Our first stop was Santa's Palace. Reid talked to Mrs. Claus and asked where the reindeer were - we got conficting answers. Mrs. C. said they were on the roof, but the Santa assistants said they were in a pasture nearby, because if they stay near the Christmas Train, children feed them candy and they get a tummy ache.

Jackson sat on Santa's lap and gave him his list - an Archius stuffed animal (Pokemon), Nerf Elite for Wii and a Nintendo DS. Reid would not sit on Santa's lap, but did walk up to the edge of the carpet and at least talked to him. Last year, she would barely go in the door. She asked about his reindeer and gave him her list - a real horse, a toy horse, a real unicorn, and a stuffed unicorn.

After visiting with the Claus', we had dinner and headed for our ride on the Christmas Train. The Train takes you on a 10 minute ride that tells the story of Christ - from the creation of the world to Christ's birth, to his death and resurrection. Jackson and Reid made friends with some kids that were in line with us and ended up sitting with us on the train.

We finished our train ride, walked through a couple of the shops (and, second year running - the decorations we liked in the store were not for sale!), hit the bakery for a cinnamon roll, and let the kids play on the playground for a while.

Good, fun, special family evening.

Christmas is Here

Well, the party is behind us and it was a smashing, tasty success. The Christmas decorations are all up and my shopping is all pretty much done, with the exception of one or two gifts. I can now sit back and enjoy the lights.

Thanksgiving Day we stayed home and enjoyed a quiet day (or as quiet as it can be with Reid around). Friday I did venture out to shop at 3:30 p.m. to Hobby Lobby. It was nuts! And, it was filled with amateurs. I have come to the conclusion that you should have to go through Hobby Lobby boot camp before being allowed in the store during a holiday season.

Damon's mom came up Saturday and we all headed to Winfield, with turkey in tow. Damon made Pioneer Woman's mashed potatoes and his infamous cranberry sauce. We spent the day with Grandma and helped her get out her Christmas decorations. It is still somewhat hard to walk into Cumbernauld without having my Dad there. He lived there just under a year, but for some reason that is where I miss his presence. Maybe it is because that is the last place he lived and where we spent the most time with him. Ever since Grandma moved into her apartment four years ago, my Dad would always meet us at Grandmas. We were hardly ever at the house once my mom passed away. I missed my Dad Saturday. I missed my Dad for my kids.

I am headed to Oklahoma City to see Beth Moore on Friday! Yeah! We have had these tickets for almost a year and I can't wait to hear her in person and to worship with Travis Cottrell. It is going to be a good weekend.

I took Reid out last night to get milk and she wanted to see "Cwistmas Lights" so we drove around a couple of neighborhoods. Coming home we drove by a house on our street that has Santa, with his sack, reflected on the garage door. I hear from the back seat, "Momma, that Santa is stealing stuff. That isn't nice."

I went to the doctor today to determine what I need to do about my knees. They have bothered me for about a year and a half and the grinding is getting worse. It is to the point, I question myself before I get down on the floor...will I be able to get back up? is it worth the trouble to get back up? I know my weight is contributing to some of it, but at 40, it seems a little early for total meltdown. I went to our PA and he is concerned; concerned enough to get me into the ortho doctor on Monday. That freaks me out a little. He said it could be arthritis, it could be the cartildge needs cleaned out, or it could be something that would require knee replacement. Uh, no thank you. All I know is, we won't do any surgery until after the February crop. I am not missing the crop.