The Grand Adventure to Ogden

I have heard about the Christmas Village up in Ogden for a few years now.  The last couple of years we had tried to plan a family outing on the UTA Frontrunner train to the village but it just never happened.  This year, I decided that we were going to go!!  There wasn't a whole lot of time before Christmas and Ryan still works nights so I called up my awesome SIL Andrea to see if she wanted to go with me.  She excitedly agreed and we planned our "grand adventure".

We arrived at the UTA Frontrunner train station at about 5:45 p.m.  The Frontrunner is much like an Amtrak train, with two levels, comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, etc.  I should mention that at 5:45 p.m. it was dark and COLD.  Probably 35 degrees that night.  We very quickly hurried to dress everyone in their winter garb, get the little girls in the strollers, and briskly walk to the train station.  I should also mention that I forgot my coat and didn't have a stroller for Emily (THANK YOU to Andrea for providing both).  

We bought our tickets (on a machine that was a little difficult to figure out and that dispensed our many dollars of change in gold dollars) and quickly got everyone on the train.  Of course the kids weren't happy with sitting on the bottom level so we had to unload the little girls out of the strollers and climb the stairs with both the kids and the strollers in hand.  Whew...  I think I was already exhausted at this point.

We got seated fairly quickly (and not all next to each other - lots of people on the train).  We finally were able to relax a little bit and enjoy the train ride up to Ogden.  Its was about a 45 minute ride to the very last Frontrunner stop.  Once we got off the train, we were a little undecided about what to do next.  I was told that the Village was pretty close and that we could walk to it.  Well, we ask the Frontrunner driver when we got off how far it was.  He pointed and said "it's just past that bridge, around the corner, down the street, etc. etc.".  Hmmm....  Sounded too far in cold weather to walk with 8 kids (4 of mine, 3 of Andrea's, and Kailey's friend).  But lucky for us, the driver pointed us to the UTA bus that happened to be parked right at the station and that drove right to the village.

We boarded the bus (again with folding up the strollers, carrying kids) and took our seats.  The kids were thrilled that they got to sit in the very back of the bus and had it all to themselves.  We started the trip on the bus, entering the streets of Ogden.  Pretty soon we saw the Christmas lights of the village.  Figuring we were close to our stop, we pulled the "request stop" cord.  After a couple of minutes, the driver asked where we were going (as we were now several blocks away.  We told him the village and he then said "oh, I wish I would have known.  We already passed the stop.  I will just swing up around and take you back."  Okay - really?  Where did he think we were going dressed the way that we were with 8 kids?  And mind you there were only two other men on the bus.

Well, his "swing around and take us back" ended up being driving around Weber State University, McKay Dee Hospital, and up and down the streets of Ogden, all the while being given a running commentary about the various sites of Ogden.  The poor kids were starving, had to use the bathroom, and were sick of sitting. 

The wheels on the bus go round and round...  and round and round and round...

About 25 minutes later, we finally arrived at the village.  FINALLY.  By this time, it was about 7:45 p.m.  None of us had eaten dinner (we were thinking there was food at the village).  So off we went, exploring the many villages and beautiful lights.  It was really neat and the kids loved seeing all of the Christmas scenes.  We even got to see Santa.  During this time, the kids were complaining louder and louder about being hungry.  Figuring there had to be food somewhere close, we sent the older kids out on a food scouting mission.  About 20 minutes later, bad, bad news.  No food at the village and no food within the close vicinity.  The kids had found an Italian restaurant a couple of blocks down.  

Emily looking in one of the village windows

Emily wasn't quite sure about Santa but he was so nice and gave her candy...  The best way to win her heart!!

Cute Kate in the stroller...  She was such a good girl!!

The 7 year old partners in crime and their little sidekick

A view of some of the lights

Having so much fun in spite of their hungry bellies!!

Andrew loved the villages too!

Santa and Megan

Not knowing what else to do, we walked toward the restaurant.  We had no idea when they closed, how much the food was.  At this point, we really didn't care however.  The kids were now REALLY loudly complaining about their tummies growling.  

We got to the restaurant and walked in.  Everyone was freezing cold.  We asked what time they closed - 9:00 p.m.  It was now 8:50 p.m.  We felt bad about making the staff stay later but the prices were reasonable and we were dang hungry.  Oh and we were the only people in the entire restaurant.  We ordered a couple of pizzas (which were quickly devoured), some water (of which several glasses were spilled), and some cheese bread.  All of the food was very good and the staff was very nice.  

The view of our crew at the restaurant.  Bless you Italian restaurant.

All of a sudden, Andrea and I realized that the last bus to the train was at 10 p.m. and that the train left at 10:15 p.m.  If we didn't make that train, we would have to wait until the 11:15 p.m. train.  In the cold, with 8 kids.  Not good.  Not good at all.  We quickly packed up our stuff, redressed all of the kids, and headed out the door.  Once out, we realized that we were actually about half way to the train station.  Instead of worrying about the bus (and missing our stop), we decided to book it to the station.  And by book it, I mean run.  Run pushing the strollers, a 5 year old and two 7 year olds and the older kids.  In weather that was now probably in the high 20's.  Wow - this was probably the toughest part.  I am out of shape and running while pushing a stroller was especially hard.  

After several blocks, we finally made it.  On the train, up the stairs with the two strollers and in our seats on the now empty top floor of the train.  I don't know that I have ever been so relieved.  We were so tired and so cold.  But we made it!!!  We then slumped down into our seats and relaxed during the 45 minute ride back to Salt Lake.  

Loving having the train all to ourselves!

Sitting at the table together

Andrea and Kate.  A little while into the ride Kate found a candy in one of the seats.  And put it in her mouth for some good sucks.  YUCK.  Luckily she gave it up pretty easily.

Relaxing together...

Even Emily had her own seat!!

It was a crazy, exhausting night but so much fun!!  I love hanging out with Andrea and her kids and the kids were able to do so many things they had never done before (the train, the village, the bus).  In fact, after asking the kids if they had a great time (to which they all resoundingly said yes), I asked a couple of the kids what their favorite part was.  My sweet 5 year old nephew excitedly said "THE BUS"!!  Sigh....  I guess we could have just ridden the UTA bus around Salt Lake.  But then we would have never had our grand adventure and lots of fun, crazy memories!!