Duluth

One of Tyson's all time favorite things in the world is trains.  One of my all time favorite things is a little roadtrip and exploring this new state we live in.  One of Rick's all time least favorite things is taking time off.  So in the spirit of all that, we took a little trip to Duluth to ride the Northshore Scenic Train. This was a BIG deal for Tyson and we heard the word train at least 7,600 times on the drive to Duluth. Much of the time in the same exact question.  Mile 1:  "Are we going to ride the big train?"  

Mile 2:  "Are we going to ride the big train?"  

Mile 3 through 60:  "Are we going to ride the big train?"  

Then, when he finally stopped with that question, he started with "But I want to ride a little train."  

Sigh.

This is the outside of the building that houses the ticket window and a theater.  The train station is right below it (not pictured).  I just love how this building looks.  They were decorating for a wedding reception in the banquet room that is inside as well.  Never in my life did I want to crash a reception so bad as this one.  I imagine it was a beautiful party.

Tyson holding his golden train tickets and waiting in line to board the train.  It's an hour and a half ride, from point A to point B then back to point A.  It runs along the water and had some great history told by some guy over the loud speaker.  I think he may have been from the Price is Right.  Same voice.

Getting ready to leave the train station.  Kids all excited about staring at a wall because they are doing it from a train.  There wasn't much for a kid to see on this ride, but it was fun anyway.

Did you ever just look at your family and feel like you will burst with pride over how great they are?  I feel like that when I look at this picture. ** I forgot to mention that Rick and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on October 6th. I don't have a clue what he sees in me, but I've got my claws in him now and he's required by law to act like he likes me. In my younger days, I wasted a lot of time doing stupid stuff and making terrible decisions that make me cringe if I dare think of them now.  But marrying this man was the best decision I ever made, and the beginning of other choices that have made my life what it is today, joyful and full of love.  Thanks be to God.

Here is Rick, obviously holding back his enthusiasm.  Tyson, on the other hand, cannot contain his.

This is the face of a baby that has put up with a long car ride, a night in a hotel and a train ride that she is growing very bored with.  This is the face that says you have about 10 minutes to get me off this ride before I make a scene that will end with your ears bleeding. 

There was a museum at the station as well.  Lots of old trains and information about how it all started.  It's a really neat place.................

.....for adults.  Our son was really more interested in the train track in the lobby that is almost identical to the one at his grandparent's house that he plays with ALL THE TIME.

                                      
Here is our darling little girl at lunch, in a bar, eating french fries, by a bottle of beer, with her brother on a bar stool in the background. Again, I could not be more proud.