The Polar Express

From the picture, it looks like they had a terrible time, but I assure you they didn't!

Right before Christmas break, the MBASA sponsored a really fun activity. A group of families in Lindon put on a miniature Polar Express every year, at their own time and expense and offer it for free! It's pretty unbelievable.

First you check in, and then you get to watch The Polar Express on a huge projection screen in a nice, heated garage. Then, when they call your name, you get to ride a miniature Union Express train.

It winds through part of their neighborhood, in and out of several people's yards. All the way you listen to Christmas music. Then, it stops at the North Pole. Someone had converted one of the rooms of the house into Santa's workshop. It was filled with Christmas trees, nostalgic toys, and benches to sit on. And, of course, Santa was there!

The really nice thing about it was that they took you on the train ride in small groups, so when you got to the North Pole, you didn't feel rushed about visiting with Santa. Each child sat on Santa's lap, and he gave them a pass-along card, a bell, and a candycane. Then, after he talked to each child individually, he explained the true meaning of Christmas and the symbolism of the candycane. It was pretty awesome. Then, on the train ride back, you listened to Christmas hymns, and wound through some more yards that had the artwork of Simon Dewey, depicting the life of Christ, displayed. It was pretty moving, and the kids had a really great time!