Will we ever get well?!?!?!?

Once we returned from Hilton Head everyone's health seemed to decline.  Well, everyone but Dave.  My grandfather had surgery and had a super rough recovery, but thankfully pulled through just fine.  Jett and Brody ended up with Bronchitis, that lasted weeks, and I found out I was hypothyroid, developed Pneumonia, Pleurisy and broke a rib from coughing, all while trying to navigate the difficulties of first trimester pregnancy.  Needless to say it was a bad 4-5 weeks and I am so grateful that we all are currently healthy and have overcome all of out sickness and baby # 3 seems to be doing great despite it all. 

Polar Express

This year we bought tickets for the Polar Express train ride with Brett and Andrea and the boys.  This event sells out quick so we bought them back in August and had looked forward to this night for a long time.  All 5 boys were over the top with excitement. 

Once we arrived the boys excitement grew uncontrollably and the adults expectations of the event went on a steady nose dive.  When we checked in we were told there were no bathrooms on the train.  WHAT?!?!?!?  No bathrooms on the 90 min train.  We just couldn't believe it.  What kid friendly even has no bathrooms.  So we scrambled and because we arrived so close to departure time we ran the kids outside and had them pee by the car.  Once we boarded were instructed that we all were to remain seated for the duration of the trip.  Dave, Brett, Andrea an I quickly looked at each other all thinking the same thing.....That's not happening.  Our kids were bouncing off the walls excited.  By the grace of God we were seated at the end of the train and had a few empty rows around us, so the boys could jump from seat to seat. 

The train left the station and we were off........but it was dark so you couldn't really tell we were moving.  There were very few lights outside so you really didn't know you were going anywhere.  They passed out hot chocolate (which since there were no bathrooms we didn't let the kids have) and cookies but that was it for the 45 min out.  Once the train stopped there was a pretty sad depiction of the North Pole.  To our surprise the boys totally bought it.  Brody even told us they couldn't get out because we might see the elves and all the presents.  At this point Santa and a big walking teddy bear boarded the train and walked threw to say hi to all the kids.  Then we headed back to the station.  That was it, and like I said before the kids loved it but we all thought it was a joke and could have been so much better with just a little effort.