Santa Train Sunday December 7th

~ The End ~

Thomas carrying all our treats & treasures from the trip.
Playing FE FI FO FUM chase to the car.
Heidi & Trenten looking at the sights on the way back to North Bend.
Enjoying himself while we wait at Snoqualmie to re board.
Thomas & Trenten looking at the trains and old coal cars from days gone by.

Trenten showing his newest addition, Sir Handel, from the Thomas the Train set.
The OLD stove where they were making & baking the handmade cookies.

Thomas asks, "What about this one?"

Look momma, trains!!

Trenten wants NOTHING to do with that man in the red coat.
Thomas & Trenten checking out the sights.

The Jingle Gentleman, claiming to be 80 years old, singing songs for everyone. He said he has been part of the Santa Train for many many years, which is how he stays so young.

Heidi & Trenten on board

Found our seats

Where is the train momma?
Here it comes!!
Lets get on board~
Waiting in line to board with his ticket.
Papa and Trenten climb on board.

In July, we took Trenten to see Thomas the Tank Engine at the Snoqualmie Depot. We had a wild great time. So when I heard about a "Santa Train" in December, I made a mental note to check it out as time drew closer. I received a post about tickets going on sale in October, so I jumped on line at the Train Museum http://www.trainmuseum.org/ to check out tickets and dates. They were so not expensive, bought three as a surprise for Trenten birthday.
We arrived in North Bend at 9:10am. NO SNOW!! We heard it said by those whom have been participating in the Santa Train for many years, this is the first in YEARS there has not been any snow. It was breezy and chilly, perfect for hot cocoa and a train ride.
Handing Trenten his ticket, we boarded a wee bit before 10am. The train was decked out in lights, garland, and a holiday singer whom claimed to be 80! He was precious. Even had jingle bells on his train hat. Trenten gets so excited he appears to be so serious. He was taking it all in.
We rode on the train, rocking and shaking back and forth, for about 20 minutes to the Snoqualmie Depot. There we disembarked to que up to see Santa. RIGHT! Trenten took one look at that jolly fella and said no way. So we by passed Santa ((though I did snap a few pix)) into the THOMAS THE TRAIN GIFT SHOP! Yippee!! Thomas told Trenten he could pick out one train he really wanted. He was so cute. Thomas would say "How about this one?" to which Trenten replied "No thank you".... and so it went for a bit. Finally Trenten found his treasure. Sir Handel. A quaint little purple wood train.
We hit the refreshment car to where they were making homemade cookies and baking them in the oldest & lonest cast iron stove I've ever seen. That had to be over 150 years old and WOW was it pumpin gout some heat. We walked through, got a few cookies and some cocoa, and headed back outside to look at the other trains.
We later walked across the street to a quaint coffee shop which reminded me of a few in Bellingham in Fairhaven. It was a beautiful little place with pretty good latte's and mocha's. Here the boys made their pits stops. See Trenten hiding under the table!!
About 11:30am, we re-board the same Santa Train to take the journey back to North Bend. Trenten sat next to me and looked out the window on this portion of the trip. Both boys were very content and relaxed this journey.
Once back at the North Bend Depot, we high-tail it to the car. Trenten and I played "Fe Fi Fo Fum, Momma gonna get Trenten" to which we were both running down the path screaming. I look back to find Thomas, and well, the picture says it all. I cannot tell you all how much I LOVE THAT MAN! He is my gift from God as much as Trenten is our gift.
Finally, after a treat of french fries and cheeseburgers from a local burger freeze in North Bend, we head home. 5 min late, voila, wee bug is passed out.
I recommend the Santa train to everyone, young or old, train enthusiast or not. It is such a treat. Next year, there had better be snow!!