Santa Train

We discovered our favorite tradition so far of southwestern VA yesterday, an annual event called the Santa Train. We are very much in railroad/coal-mining country and there are little events to celebrate each. The Santa Train is amazing. It's been running from KY through VA to TN for 67 years. The train is filled with pallets of gifts for kids, everything from balls, airplanes, and cars to school supplies, coloring books, picture and chapter books to dolls, babies, and baby accessories. The train stops at 15 small towns on it's journey and while Santa and his helpers (including Ashley Judd, who was the celebrity guest this year) throw food, candy, dolls, and balls off the caboose, other volunteers walk the crowd passing out backpacks filled with goodies, wrapping paper, and other treasures. Abby ended up with a great picture book, candy, toys, and a backpack filled to the brim. It's such a neat way to welcome the holiday season and so fun for all the kids. You couldn't help but be excited as Santa pulled in with so many people around you cheering and clapping. Abby kept looking at us and saying, "WOW!" In an area where so many people have so little, it is amazing to see how much they give.

The Santa Train just pulling in to Fremont, VA

and Abby's response to the crowd's noise level.

Right after Abby discovered there would be presents involved in the proceedings.

On a sillier note, here is Abby's new pose. I may have posted other pictures before with her in this position, but it is becoming a more prominent stance now. She just cracks me up. She looked adorable this morning for church (and her hair, which is featured below, is a style I saw on a little girl when Abby was not quite 1 and I've been waiting for a year to copy it, and it actually turned out pretty cute). So I grabbed the camera on our way out the door and tried to get her to stand in the hallway for a picture. Of course duck had to be in the picture and of course she could only be silly, but still, this is the personality of our girl and we love it!