The Polar Express 2021

Wrapping up our Thanksgiving break with a favorite tradition. On our last night in Sacramento, Gram treated us to a trip on the Polar Express. We were so excited to go especially because we missed it last year when it had shut down during the pandemic. 

First stop was the candy store in Old Town where the kids each picked out a few special treats. 

Donovan got pulled up on stage to chat with the hobo.

Even though there were a few changes this year... masks required and no hot cocoa on board, the trip was still so magical. Taylor was super excited to see Santa in person but also very nervous. The kids loved looking out the window at all of the Old Town Sacramento sights. 

It was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season! Thanks Grammie!

 

Sacramento- Fairytale Town

After we returned from Tahoe, we had a week at Grammie's to lounge around, swim, visit with family and friends, and friends that are family. It was such a relaxing week. One of our favorite Sacramento traditions is visiting Fairytale Town. Since it had been shut down last summer, Taylor could hardly remember it from when we had visited last. The big kids couldn't wait to show her around. 

After a wonderful morning at FairyTale Town, we had to stop at our favorite Ice Cream shop on the planet, Gunther's. It had been way too long!

There is just something so special about the time we spend at Grammie's. Her home is simply that, HOME. It is so comfortable and filled with memories. The kids and I had a blast using our imaginations and playing in the backyard nature hideouts that they made. There were late night pickle ball games, and BBQs, and evenings spent under the shade of Gram's beautiful trees. It was perfect and we miss it so much already!

Polar Express 2020

Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, it has become a family tradition (Thanks, Grammie) to ride on the real Polar Express train in Old Town Sacramento. It has been such a treat to see the magic through each of our children's eyes over the years. This year, obviously, the train wasn't up and running. But that didn't stop our festive little crew from partaking in this favorite tradition. 

Emmerson took the lead this year, and what she produced was a memory that I will cherish forever!

How cute are these signs that decorated Grammie's family room? 

Emmerson also decorated Grammie's garage as our first stop. Typically at the train depot there is set up that looks like Santa's workshop where we usually take a picture of the kids. Enter Gram's workshop, full of toys and presents. 

Pictures... check!

Next up, tickets! Emmerson passed out a ticket to each of us that corresponded with the numbers placed above the couches and chairs in the family room.

And finally the treats! Emmerson and Gram baked snickerdoodles and made hot chocolate for each of us. 

We enjoyed our sweets, a very smooth train ride, and of course, the Polar Express movie. 

It was a perfect way to end our Thanksgiving week vacation at Gram's. Thank you Emmerson and Grammie for such a fun night!

Thanksgiving 2020

Thanksgiving morning kicked off with a walk outdoors at Ancil Hoffman a gorgeous gold course and nature preserve that is one of our favorite places to visit when we're visiting Gram. We snuck out without our girls mostly because Emmerson hates walks and Taylor is still just a little too small to hang for such a long, cold walk. 

It was a lovely time with my boys. Donovan and I saw some wild turkeys in the distance and listened to woodpeckers all along the way. 

When we got home it was times for coffee, apple donuts, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and puzzling. It was such a relaxing day. This year, Dustin's brothers and families opted to spend Thanksgiving on their own so it was just us and Uncle Dave. LaDona insisted that she needed no help in the kitchen so I lazily soaked in every moment of the slow, relaxing day. 

The whole week had been uncharacteristically uneventful weather wise, so the kids were ecstatic when we finally got some good wind on Thanksgiving afternoon. Suddenly every tree gave way to thousands of blowing leaves. They ran through the yard full speed as if it were snowing. 

Dinner came early. We enjoyed all the regulars including Uncle Dave's smoked turkey. 

In the evening, I was honored to be invited to the girls' secret hideout under the ping pong table in the garage. In this secret spot, Emmerson likes to read Taylor stories, spy on all of the grown ups and eat lots of stolen snacks from Grammie's pantry. 

Donovan was equally honored to use the blower for the first time. We each took turns unproductively blowing leaves in every direction. This job is much harder than it looks. 

The afternoon weather was glorious. The girls and I took Molly for a walk and we sat outside in the front yard until it got to be dusk.

In the evening, we all got in our jammies and watched Elf for the first time this season. Most of us enjoyed the movie and apple pie dessert, but this little one finally succumbed to a much needed rest. 

It was a perfect day with my family. I hope you and your loved ones had a joy filled day, too!