Train Ride!

We went to French Lick, Indiana to ride a train. Besides tractors, both Grandpa and Benny love to ride trains. Here they are watching the scenery.

Nothing like have a popcorn snack on the train. The ride was a couple of hours long.

Here is Benny showing off his ticket.

Benny being coupled to a train!

Benny putting the breaks on a caboose.

The Oregon Zoo

A couple weeks ago, Brad managed to get a Saturday off so we went to the Oregon Zoo (located near Portland). We had great weather and the boys had fun (Benny more that Timmy of course). Benny has been bugging us to go for a train ride and that was are primary reason to go to the zoo since they have a train ride. It was a long day, but worth it. No, this is not Benny's bike. See the next picture

This is not the circus elephant who rode that cycle, this is a mommy elephant and her baby.

Here is the Zooliner. It is the train that we rode at the zoo.

A Day at Seaside, OR

Last week we took a day and went to Seaside, Oregon. We had a good time. Benny had fun riding this train. Benny liked the carousel until it started to move and then he had a tight grip on Daddy's coat.

Benny was excited about walking on the sand and seeing the ocean. He even found some shells (actually they were pieces of sanddollars). It sure was windy at the beach.

A Boy and His Trains!

We have a little boy in love with trains. On Christmas day, he insisted on having every Thomas train car in his bed. Since then he is only allowed two.

We have converted our loft area from an office to Benny's play area. As you can see, we had to set up all the track. We have since scaled it down, but it still takes up most of the room.

Snowball Express

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went for a ride on the Snowball Express at the Mt. Rainier National Railroad in Mineral, WA. It was a 30 minute ride to the Island of Misfit Toys. Benny had a great time. He even wanted to see Santa. Benny received an ornament for our tree.

The cowboy who rides an ostrich.

Benny gave this big bear a hug and kiss.

When the conductor came to punch our tickets, he let Benny try on his hat.

Here is the engine that took us on our ride. It was not a true steam train but Benny liked the steam anyway.

I thought Grandpa would get a kick out of this.