Coco, Trains, and Santa

We took the kids to the Kansas City Christmas Train. It is good free fun for the holidays. The Christmas Train is a holiday tradition in the KC area. Santa pulls in on the train, which is decorated for the holidays. Brendan loves the Christmas train because it has a face on it like Thomas the Tank Train. Inside the train they get to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. The interior is decorated with a collection of Santas. There are also toy trains running throughout. Brendan's favorite is the the miniature version of the Christmas train. You have to wait in line to get on the train, but the town provides free hot coco and popcorn. The local band also provides music for entertainment while you wait. Brendan had a blast busting out all his dance moves, while waiting. Can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away!

Staying Warm With Some Coco

With One Of Santa's "Little" Helpers lol

Getting Ready To Board The Train

With The Big Guy

The Replica Of The Train

Brendan Dancing While Waiting To Get On The Train~

An 1855 Christmas

We had a real fun day out at Missouri Town 1855's Christmas Celebration. It is sort of a family tradition for us to attend the event. Nothing puts us in the mood for Christmas more than a good old fashioned Christmas. Missouri Town 1855 is located at Lake Jacomo, Missouri. It is a living history museum, and they do a special reenactment of a Christmas past every year. There is so much to see and do there, and the kids love running from one building to the next to experience something new.

Naughty Trying To Blow Out the Candles

This year was different from past years, because it was slightly warmer than usual. We are having wacky weather here in Missouri. All the snow we got the other day is all but gone. Today is supposed to be 61 degrees, and tomorrow is supposed to be 16 with more snow. It is a weather roller coaster. It was also incredibly windy. I felt like I was back in South Dakota with all the wind!

The kids had a very Christmasy time despite the warmer weather. They got to string popcorn, sing carols, make a Chrsitmas sachet for the tree, eat cookies and pulled taffy, and listen to stories of Der Belsnickel. The Belsnickel is a German form of Santa. He is like a Santa helper, who carries goodies and a switch. He helps find the good kiddies (for the treats), and the bad kiddies (well for the switch). Brendan was all big eyed when he heard this Santa gave out "whoopins" to the naughty little boys and girls. I think he was a little nervous! lol However, he managed to skate by and receive a treat from the Belsnickel.

Der Belsnickel

Grateful For a Candy Cane Instead of the Switch

Stringing Popcorn

Decorating the Tree

The sights and smells of an old fashioned Christmas surround you at Missouri Town. The smell of pine, mixed with, oranges, spices, and the fireplace are just heavenly. We got to sample raisin bread, sugar cookies, a spiced warm tea, and pulled taffy. McKenna thought the old fashioned taffy tasted like candy corn. One house had a hanging Christmas tree. The lady of the house explained how all the homemade ornaments told the story of Christmas. How the animals represented Noah's ark, the star is obvious, the balls on the tree stood for the neverending cycle of Jesus, the garland represented the shroud of Jesus, and angel on the top for the angels that appeared to the shepherds. There was also a sponge on a stick next to the tree, which I had never seen before. Apparently it represents the sponge with vinegar that was place on Jesus lips, and also had a prctical purpose. If a spark flew from the candles on the tree, they would dip the sponge in a nearby bucket of water and snuff it out.

Pulling Taffy

Spiced Tea

The Original Stove Top Stuffing

We really had a great time at the Christmas Celebration. My crew even managed to find the last bit of snow, and have a snowball fight. Overall it was a real great family day.

Can't Keep My Monkeys Out Of The Trees

It's Christmas Everywhere

We went to McKenna's Christmas Program this week. This has been my 16th year attending one of my children's Christmas programs, and it never gets old. I always get butterflies in my stomach for them, because both Ashton and McKenna like to perform and get picked to play or sing extra parts. It always amazes me at how brave the girls are, and willing to lay it all out there on the stage. I always feel more anxious for them, than if I were about to perform. I don't know why, because they both always do an excellent job, leaving me full of pride.

You would have never have known that McKenna had a performance that evening she was so relaxed with her buddies.

Yapping About Clothes Before the Big Show

They All Looked So Cute

The theme of the program was "It's Christmas Everywhere!" The children performed Christmas songs from around the globe. Some of the songs they performed were "Kling, Glockchen, Kling" from Germany, "Kiyoshi Kono Yoru" from Japan, "La Nanita Nana" from Mexico, and many others. The song that McKenna had a part in was "D'ou Viens~Tu?" from Canada. I suppose this song was a little easier for her since part of it was in French, and McKenna attended a French immersion school her Kindergarten year. She did a real good job. Here is a small clip from the performance. There is the intro to the song, and then McKenna and two other girls approach the mike to sing their part. McKenna was the loudest. lol She did a real good job! We were all so proud of her.

So Proud Of Their Sister

Kiss GoodBye

Eloise at Christmas Time

Going to post some of the kids' and my favorite Christmas shows during the holiday season. Here is Eloise at Christmas Time, McKenna loved Eloise a few years ago. Enjoy!

Santa's Wonderland

Burt and I took the kids to the Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop in Independence. The Bass Pro Shop just opened up this past spring at Independence. I believe that it is the National Headquarters for Bass Pro. It really is quite a store. The place is just huge, and it has anything the outdoorsman could possibly want or need.

The store has two levels, with a variety of trophy animal displays. Brendan liked this pic because it looked like the deer was munching on his hair.

There are several things you can do at Bass Pro. There is a shooting gallery, and a rock climbing wall.

The kids love the glass elevator. They love to go up and down and wave to us through the glass. There are waterfalls, and even a water wheel. They also have an indoor aquarium with giant catfish. This guy was about 4ft long and a hundred pounds.

After looking at the fish, there is an amazing seafood restaurant on the lower level. The kids got mini pizza. I got some amazing fish with homemade chips, and Burt got a delicious buffalo burger.

When the weather is warm you can eat out on the patio, which overlooks the lake and Waterfall Park. The park is named because there is a waterfall. The kids LOVE Waterfall Park, but it was too cold to play there today. Instead they played at the checkers tables on the upper level, which are located by the Fudge Shop. Yum! I love all the old fashioned candies they sell there. After exploring the store, the kids went to the Santa Village they had set up there at the store. It was really cute, and the Santa was great! Brendan and McKenna both froze and forgot what they wanted to ask Santa for Christmas. lol It reminded me of the scene in A Christmas Story, when Ralphie freezes in front of Santa a blurted out that he wanted a football. They even had Red Riders for sale! Brendan told Santa he wanted a clubhouse, even though he has been begging us for a Batcave toy. lol Afterwards we asked him why he asked for the clubhouse. He said he panicked, and wanted to go back! lol I reassured him that he could write Santa and let him know that he changed his mind. The kids got to see Santa, eat cookies, see a cool toy train display, and play a variety of games. It was a cool way to start off the Holiday Season. A season that I am sure will be full of all sorts of fun times! Enjoy this little video I made of the day.