This Thanksgiving we were very thankful for our family together as one. The week started so wonderful as Uncle Chase was here staying with us for the whole week. Dylan just loved spending a lot of time with him. Every morning Dylan would tell us to 'be quiet because Uncle Chase is sleeping'. Every night he would run into the house and ask for Uncle Chase.
Thanksgiving morning we ate yummy Cinnamon rolls in front of the TV while watching the Holiday Parades on TV. Dylan loved the Macy's Parade and seeing all of the balloons with his favorite characters, Elmo, Mickey Mouse among others. Mommy cooked food in the kitchen and the boys and Danielle relaxed. That afternoon we went over to Aunt Ellie and Uncle Bill's house for our family feast. Ellie always has such a beautiful presentation for us. Everything was decorated for Thanksgiving, we felt the holiday spirit all around us.
Dylan had so much fun playing with Chase and his cousins. He got lots of attention and despite having a bit of a cold, he sure was getting rid of lots of extra energy! We managed to stop him for a brief picture!
We all ate and ate and ate. We got a couple hour rest in and then it was time for dessert....yummy!
The Saturday after Thanksgivin,g we said so long.... to Uncle Chase, as he headed back to school in Pittsburgh. Our week with him was so memorable and we all really enjoyed each others company. Dylan still asks every night where Uncle Chase is and if he is still sleeping. Little buddy doesn't miss a beat and sure has a great memory. Although we already miss him terribly, we will see him again soon in just a few short weeks! 
After we got Chase settled in at the airport we decided that since it was a beautiful Saturday we would take full advantage of the warm temps and get a Christmas Tree! We headed out to Wickiup Hill Tree Farm in search of the perfect Christmas tree. There are lots and lots of trees to choose from. So over the hills we went, with Dylan in the lead....
What ever type of tree you are looking for they sure have it. Short needles, long needles, Frazier Fur trees, they have it all. We let Dylan lead the direction this year.
And this was the one he wanted. He wanted a tree that was just his size! We persuaded him to keep on looking for one that was a little bigger.....
You want a teal colored tree, they even have that!
And finally after searching and roaming for awhile we found the perfect tree!
This is it!
So Daddy busted out the saw, and Dylan wanted to help. A few cuts later and the tree was ours, ready to carry down the hill and take to our home!
Daddy thought maybe he could just carry it up and down, well that didn't last long and it had to be dragged!
Dylan sure was a curious little thing. He wanted to know exactly what daddy was doing with the tree and why. So with Dylan's help we were off....down the hill!
They put the tree on the shaker to get all of the excess needles off of it, they put it in a net for us and it was off to our house to decorate the tree!
Dylan really wanted to help decorate. He just didn't understand while we were hanging all of these 'balls' on the tree. So he took a little break in the midst of decorating to play with his blocks. We got it all decorated, the ornaments hung and the tree skirt put on. Our family's Christmas tree is up, the live garland is hung outside with lights and the Christmas spirit is in full swing at this Holub home!
To help with the Christmas Spirit we have also taken a ride on the 'Polar Express'. The Polar Express is a favorite Holiday book and movie for mommy and daddy and when we found out we could take the kids on the 'Polar Express' train ride, we thought that would be a great idea. We bought these tickets over a month ago and anticipated this day ever since. Part of the whole experience is dressing the kids in their pj's for the train ride to the 'North Pole'. We snuggled the kids in their pj's and were off to Boone for our adventure!
Not too long into the 2 1/2 hour car ride Dylan was asleep in true Dylan fashion. One leg crossed over the other and his hands behind his head....all while sleeping with his eyes cracked open, this is a classic Dylan pic!
A few hours later we arrived around 5pm to Boone, all ready to travel on the Scenic Line railroad. The 6pm departure was coming up fast.
We picked up our tickets from the depot window and waited for the conductors to come and get us to board the train. Daddy and the kids were very excited. Dylan loved seeing all of the other kids ready to ride the train in their pj's too!
He sat like a big boy with his blanket and Polar Express book in hand, his slippers on his feet, patiently waiting.....and waiting....and waiting.
We took a walk and checked out all of the train cars. They were all decorated for Christmas. The Christmas Spirit was in full swing!
Please open the door to the train, I want to come-in?!
This was the train car we picked, 'the little train that could'. Soon the conductors came around and said 'All aboard the Polar Express' he stamped our tickets just like they do in the Polar Express movie.
It was all decorated for Christmas, the garland was hung with lights galore. Our car like the others was complete with a 'Elf Story Reader' and another 'Elf' to come around and 'tend' to the passengers.
Then the helpers came around with Hot Chocolate!
And soon after there was a rustle noise and the train door opened and we heard, 'HO HO HO, Merry Chrismas!!!' It was SANTA! Dylan was SO excited to see Santa, even though he at first called him Elmo, he soon realized it was Santa Claus and he was there to give us something special!
It was a bell, a shiney silver bell, just like in the Polar Express movie. My camera battery died at this point but we got it with the video camera, to be posted at another time.
The kids were shaking their bells and just loving being able to see Santa! Soon after all of the kids got their bells we were back to the depot. On the way back we were read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' book and we even sang Christmas Caroles. Then the kids all paraded up and down our train car aisle to show off all of their pajamas! Soon after Dylan was snuggled in with daddy tuckered out from the big train ride.
Our family had such a memorable experience on the 'Polar Express train ride'. One that we will remember forever. We will for sure do this train ride again probably next year. It was Dylan's first train ride and he loved it! He talked about it weeks before the train ride, in anticipation of what was to come.... and he is still talking about it weeks after. Mommy, Daddy and Danielle sure had an excellent time also. Tis the Season for memory's to be made and family traditions!
There was nothing taking this bell away from this little man. He carry's it around everywhere and even has tried to hang it on the Christmas tree. The tree 'with balls is SO beautiful' he says!
On another note. The day after Thanksgiving our family lost a wonderful Uncle. Uncle Tom Randklev passed away that Friday morning. He was a beloved Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. He had such a will for life. His sudden passing has shocked everyone around him. His services were this week and the outpouring love and support of people that came for him and the family was amazing. We want to pass along one of the poems off of Tom's funeral card. Well said, to the point and a very important message:
Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Forget about those who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, take it.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy.
They just promised it would most likely be worth it.
May you rest in peace Tom. May your children, grandchildren and Linda find comfort knowing you are with the lord. You are greatly missed.
In memory of Thomas Allan Randklev : 1943 - 2009~
Until next time, keep the ones you love close to your heart. Never take any day for granted and live each day as if it was your last. We love you Dylan and are very thankful you are our son.~
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