The last couple weeks we had family in town. My in-laws or better known as Nanny & Pop-Pa (how Marshmallow says Grandpa). Marshmallow was really excited about them being here. For the few days leading up to their visit we were telling him each night that he was going to see Nanny & Pop-pa, then we would be going on a train and get to see Santa, in preparations of a few long days of traveling. Every morning he would ask "Pop-pa" and we would say "# days". The day we left to go to Vegas to meet up with Nanny & Pop-pa, Marshmallow was so excited. He wanted them here, NOW. Within moments of arriving in Vegas and taking a few shy minutes, he was all over Pop-pa, especially, and has not left his side since that moment. He is all about Pop-pa. He loves Nanny too, but Pop-pa is the bees knees. And no one else matters when he is here.
We spent a day in Vegas seeing the sights. We took him to the Natural History Museum, where Marshmallow had a blast playing with blocks that simulated an earthquake. He would build them up and push the button, and they would shake and shake and shake and all come crashing down. He did this over and over again for a good 20 minutes and was not thrilled when we went to move on to the next room.
We left Vegas and heading east to the Grand Canyon. A first visit for both Marshmallow and Skywalker. It has been a few years since we last went up there to see this beautiful hole in the ground. It was cold. Pop-pa, Nanny and Marshmallow went ahead while I bundled Skywalker up. By the time we were heading the the canyons edge, they were hurrying back saying it is too cold. They went off to the visitor's center while Skywalker, C & I went to see the canyons edge.
The last stop on our three day run around was Williams, AZ for the Polar Express Train ride. Marshmallow was so excited about the train. As he is obsessed with trains. He could not contain his excitement. All the way there, every time he saw a train or train tracks, he was sure to tell us. So off to the Polar Express we drove.
If you ever have the chance to do this train ride, DO IT! It is such an enchanting experience. Despite being 1.5 hours long, time passed so quickly and it was over before we knew it. It really was a magical experience. They had the characters all there. They served us hot cocoa and cookies, and seconds of course. They had us travel a time warp to get to the North Pole. We got to ride through Santa's village. Which Marshmallow was pressed against the window, ready to jump out the window if he could. Then Santa came on board and Marshmallow got the very first gift of Christmas, just happened we were in the back of the train where Santa boarded. We all got a special silver bell. Then we sang Christmas songs all the way back to Williams. Skywalker had a blast too. Another train ride to add to his books. This make 4 train rides in his short 7 months of life.
After the train ride, we stopped in to see Santa again and to get pictures. Marshmallow always seems so excited about Santa, until it is time to go over to him and say hi. Well this time he actually went over to him without any issue and sat right in his lap. Skywalker had fallen asleep and slept right on through the entire Santa experience. But we got the sweetest pictures of the boys with Santa for this year! It is absolutely perfect in every way!
We also took an adventure to Montezuma Castle National Monument. It was somewhere we had never been, but always talked about visiting. It was a neat little place. Nothing too big. But always worth to stop and see the unique places in our country and learn a little more history. It was a fun afternoon adventure.
Marshmallow also had a first while we were there of playing in fallen leaves. He was timid at first and did not want to step on them. But once we showed him, he got really into it and did not want to stop playing in the leaves. Every child should be able to experience they joy of romping around in and throwing leaves!
