Going on a Train Ride

One thing I've always wanted to take the kids on is the Heber Valley Railroad Train. I read they do all sorts of themed rides throughout the year and couldn't wait till the kids felt old enough to do one (they tend to run at nap times or later than I'd like to take young kids, especially since it's at least an hour drive away just to get to the station). Well, about a month ago Marie said she could get us discount tickets to ride the train today (not themed, just a regular train ride) and when she mentioned it I wanted to go, but the ride was right at Pierce's last nap time. I asked Larry what he thought and he was for it so I figured we'd go and just wing the day (I figured he'd probably nap on the way home so at the very least he'll have that nap). I was secretly excited to see how the kids would do on it and to show them what a real train ride is like.

Luckily, between when we made the plans and when they came to be Pierce dropped his 3rd nap (if he ends up taking one during an errand it doesn't throw the night off, but he doesn't need it) so the whole nap situation wasn't an issue. We made sure to head to Heber during the big nap time so that anyone who needed a nap could take one (Pierce and Gwen did, but Lucy and Cara completely stayed up, of course). The drive up the canyon was amazingly colorful and so pretty to see. I couldn't get sick of that view!

We got there a little early, but luckily they had some fun things to keep the kids entertained while we waited for Marie. The girls loved picking up the fall leaves and throwing them up in the air saying "surprise!" haha. 

Can't get Lucy to look for anything, but best shot I got

Once we got on the train we luckily had seats that could be switched so we could face each other, which was nice with the kids. Marie also brought snacks, which is a must with kids (I probably should've thought of that myself, honestly). We got started and the girls had fun looking out the windows...for about 15 minutes. Then they decided to play the "lets see how much moving around we can get away with before someone tells us to sit still" game haha. They did have some people doing little skits that entertained the girls and there was another baby next to us to entertain them (and Pierce, a little bit as well haha). Fortunately, the ride is just long enough that they didn't get stir crazy, however I was telling Larry in the beginning that this would be a nice test run to see if they'd handle doing the Polar Express ride this Christmas, but after seeing how they didn't want to sit still very long I figure maybe it's something we'll wait for next Christmas to do. I do want to do it, but I'm not paying THAT much for them to just wiggle around.

Once the train ride was over we headed over to a nearby playground so the kids could wiggle and we could feed Pierce his 5:00 bottle. They girls had SO much fun there (they may have liked it more than the train ride haha). Gwen got brave and tried the slides, which was amazing to see (she's always been too scared to go down slides on her own, but for some reason decided to try it on her own this time). Lucy was climbing all the rock walls and ladders she could. Cara loved to show off her swinging skills. Pierce enjoyed the grass and his bottle haha. 

Overall it was a fun adventure with the kids. They had fun, I loved watching them, and it was one of those everything worked out perfectly well all day, which makes me so happy. Bedtime even worked out so well, even with Pierce and the older girls taking late naps (Lucy of course boycotted all nap opportunities today...typical 2 year old!).