The Polar Express

This year, after a few struggles to get there, we made it to the Heber Valley RailRoad's Polar Express Ride. The kids were so excited. I believe this was all of the kids' first train ride. They had a ball the whole time. Me, not so much. I mean, I guess I may have been expecting too much from this activity. Polar express makes me think there'll be people singing as they serve Hot Cocoa, and professional type actors or something. I don't know what the other cars were like, but ours seemed quite a bit unprofessional. Like, I said. I had expectations that were way too high for this trip. It's all good though. What the kids thought of it was what matters most.



We were served Hot Chocolate and Homemade Cookies. They were like chocolate chip cookies but with a bit of a Gingersnap taste to them. They even gave us the recipe for the cookies, so I'm going to try them soon. We did have a couple of elves that were telling jokes and trying to sing. ;) There was also someone dressed as a chef who actually had a great voice. The elves were close to tone deaf, but oh well. We had a short visit from Mrs. Claus. She's the one who gave us the cookie recipe.



Then later, we stopped when a visitor flagged down the train. Guess Who?!?...




Overall, I probably wouldn't pay that much money to do the same activity again, but it was a great experience for the family. My goal has been to do things that would create lasting memories. Whether or not I thought it was a "perfect" Polar Express, it was a Memory we will have forever.

Neiko is Lost!

While we were gone visiting family on Thanksgiving Day, someone let our dogs out of the Back Yard. Butch came back, like he always does, but we have still seen no sign of Neiko. I have posted a listing for our lost dog on KSL and I know that as of this morning, the Animal Shelter does not have her. My guess is that someone found her and took her in. We had not gotten her licensed yet, so that's our bad. I feel awful!
My kids are working on posters to put up around the neighborhood and they have been out looking every day for her. I told them she was probably in someone's house and that she was probably warm and safe. Alex said that's all he is concerned about, though he does want her back. If anyone happens to see her anywhere, please let me know ASAP!
If and when we do find her, we will make sure to get her licensed and taken care of first thing. We miss her so much even though she is a pretty new addition to our household. She's such a cutie and would probably be very cold is she were still outside.
Here's to doing everything we can to find her and bring her back to our family!

The Countdown begins!

Well, actually, I have two countdowns...
The first one is the Countdown to Christmas. Now that it is the day after Thanksgiving, we have entered the official countdown to Christmas. I LOVE Christmas! The sounds, the smells, the lights, and the good spirit that people possess. If only the world could enjoy the Christmas Spirit throughout the entire year! I get to decorate my house, make Christmas gifts and treats, and remember those who are less fortunate than we are at this tough time. We have struggled, but I know there are MANY many people who are in much worse circumstances than we are. We have a home. We have food. We have family. And we have a few gifts to give to the children. For these things and Many others, I am absolutely Grateful!
We are going to the Food and Care Coalition to serve others and we are donating items of food and toys like we usually do. We have already sub-for-santa'd a family a couple of weeks ago with items we were lucky enough to have, and fortunate enough to be able to offer to someone who could truly use them. I still feel as though there is more for us to do this Holiday season, so we will keep our eyes and Hearts open to those who could benefit from our family in any way. I have been assisted much through times of trial and I do everything I can to pay it forward. I pray that everyone can do the same!
The Second countdown that is soon coming to an end is this First Semester back to college. I only have a couple more weeks of school and only that amount of time to work on finishing up all the papers, studying, and testing I must complete for class. Then we'll see how my Grades turn out and go from there into next semester. I already know that I am going to take Math 1010 over again because the Math took me by surprise in regards to what I couldn't remember. Almost Everything! That's OK though. I'll be more prepared for next time.
So off I go to write my Nutrition 1020 Research Paper and study for the test I am taking on Monday. Wish me luck...or at least Happy studying. :)
Happy Black Friday to you all!