Train Ride

I have said this post was coming for almost a month now! It is a little picture heavy, but the boy only turns 3 once! We planned a destination birthday -at least that is what it turned out to be! Vaughn has a thing for trains - REAL trains, not just Thomas - and Jason's parents live in East Texas, where there is a real live steam train that runs from Rusk, TX to Palestine, TX and back again. We thought it would be a fun family outing to ride the train and doing it right around his birthday meant the weather would be good and we could do it before the move. We extended the invitation for family to come with us - not really expecting everyone to want/be able to come - but we were WRONG! Everyone made numerous sacrifices to come to Tyler and ride the train with us! A fabulous time was had by ALL!

Thanks, Aunt Missy, for the FABULOUS cake! Not only was it SO CUTE, it was DELICIOUS too!

Engineers 1 and 2, before the whistle

Cousins 3 and 2 (Vaughn is 3, Susannah is 2, and Louisa is 1 but not pictured!)

Waiting. . . .watching. . .

The other train (that runs simultaneously from Palestine to Rusk) was about to pass us.


Daddy! Here it comes!!

If I reach just a LITTLE bit farther I think I can TOUCH the other train!

(Thank goodness Daddy is so good at HANGIN' ON to my baby!)

Passing the time with a few new friends - Percy and the Chocolate Cake Train!

LOVE the concentration in this picture!

Demonstrating a new skill - blowing the train whistle! Thanks, Nonni - for the lesson, and Aunt Molly - for picking up the whistles in Abilene.

After an all day train ride, we all returned to Nonni and Pop's house for cake and ice cream!

Again - Daddy demonstrating MAD HANGIN' ON SKILLZ! Vaughn wanted that cake!!

Make a wish. . . !

New golf clubs!

Hitee and Grinny - reading "The Little Engine that Could" - a gift from the Lee family.

A brand new motorcycle - with flashing lights and a real live radio!

Happy 3rd birthday, Booger Bear! We Love You!