The Birthday Train

For Haken's 3rd birthday we rode the Front Runner train down to Salt Lake from Ogden and spent the day there. Haken liked it so much that we decided to do it again this year for his 5th birthday. This time it was also fun because Jack was with us (although he was last time, just in the womb instead). We went on the 1st of June, not Haken's real birthday of the 13th, but close enough. With all the preparations for the baby coming I decided it was better for us to go earlier in the month. I don't think he minded celebrating early. 

We boarded the train at 9:15 AM. I think we only had a few minutes to spare when we got to the train station in Ogden. It was important that we got on that train because the next one didn't leave for another hour. 

I thought that maybe riding the train would not only be a fun activity, but also save on gas, after calculating fuel costs I found that it actually ends up being $2 more for us to ride the train down for the day. Although the kids are so much happier not be strapped into a car seat and Shad and I can sit and relax instead of being annoyed with every driver on the way down.

Here are a few pictures from our ride....don't mind Haken who thinks he needs to make a funny face or pose in every single picture lately...

The goofball himself

Jack loving the train. The first 5 minutes he wasn't sure,
but he warmed up quick.

Riding with Daddy

Both wanting a window seat to themselves

When we got to Salt Lake we rode the TRAX line down to the Gateway mall and met our family there.   Grandma & Grandpa Evans, Jenni, Cam, Lisa, Taylor, Riley, and Grandma & Grandpa G.G. ate lunch with us at Rumbi Grill and then we went to a 3D IMAX movie at the planetarium about animals in the arctic. Haken was fascinated with the whole thing. It was his first time at a 3D movie as well as mine. It was pretty cool, especially on an IMAX screen. Jack didn't want to wear the glasses, but sat relatively well for it being his first movie and during his naptime.

Sporting the 3D glasses with Grandma, Taylor, and Jenni

After the movie the boys changed into their swimming suits and we went and met cousins Grady and Amelia at the fountains. It was a perfect day to get wet and the boys loved it. Jack especially loved to stick his face right up to the hole and let it squirt him. Daddy also got pretty wet running around with Jack

Getting splashed in the face

Showing me how wet he is

Pure bliss

Cousin Taylor 

Getting warm with grandma

All worn out and ready to go

We were glad that grandma brought her car so that we could hitch a ride back to her house for dinner. Cousins Grady and Amelia came to dinner with us. I don't think I saw Haken for more than 5 minutes the whole time we were there because he was having a blast in the basement with Grady. The necklaces they are wearing are portable swords that they made. They can be straightened out to use at a moment's notice. We should really get together with them more. Haken had so much fun.

Sitting at the big boy table (this lasted about 2 minutes for Jack)

Waiting for his presents

Showing me how old he will be

Present from Grady and Amelia

 We were glad that Grandma and Grandpa brought up his birthday present (his new bike) early so that we could board the train a little easier on the way home.

At 8:00 grandma drove us down to the station by her house so that we could board the train back to Ogden. Once again we barely made it there in time so we didn't have to wait another hour, although we did have enough time to snap a picture at the station before we got on.

We made it to Ogden by 8:45 and got home around 9:30. It was a pretty exhausting, but fun day together as a family. This may become a tradition and we could head down for every birthday. Maybe next time I will make daddy take a few pictures so that I can be in a few...

Haken thinks that the best part is that he still has one more day to celebrate before his birthday is officially over. We sure do love him! I'm glad we can make him feel special all month because he really deserves it!