Luke's Train Day....

This morning and a little into the afternoon, we spent some time together as a family....

Each year, Marc really enjoys going to the Pancake Feed in a town near us (that he grew up in). This Pancake Feed is a fundraiser for the Lions' Club -- which Marc's dad is a part of.

We got to the middle school this morning (where the fundraiser always has been), and there wasn't any fundraiser going on....We drove by another place in town where Marc thought it also might be -- no such luck, though. So, we ended up eating breakfast at the local donut shop -- since we hadn't eaten anything this morning yet -- thinking we were going to get pancakes and sausage.

Lo and behold -- Marc's dad happened to be there -- he goes there everyday for "coffee" with the guys. He explained to us that the pancake feed was last weekend, and he wasn't sure why they changed it.

Oh well -- we couldn't have gone last week anyways. Marc had something going on, and Luke was sick.

But hey -- at least Luke got to see his Grandpa Friesen.

*****

After the donuts, we headed into Wichita for the annual Train Show and Swap Meet.

Now, you might be asking, "How did you guys know about that?" Well, it just so happens that my dad has an intense hobby of trains. As long as I can remember, he has enjoyed them as a hobby. Perhaps it's genetic since Luke has taken such an interest in trains?????

It's basically a bunch of model trains set up -- which I will admit isn't too bad to look at. Also, there are vendors selling "train" things -- model trains, etc.

Luke, even though only 18 months, did, we think, enjoy looking at the model trains. Here are a couple of photos of Luke and my dad looking at the trains. In the second photo, you can certainly see a smile on Luke's face.





We did pick up a "paper hat." It's a conductor hat from Amtrak. As you can tell from this photo, Luke wasn't the most fond of it. He also received a train whistle (which is in his hand). We tried to show him how to get a sound, but he doesn't quite get the whole "blow a little bit harder thing" yet. Perhaps next year....



And, just for fun...here are some photos of some model trains that were at the show.







Soon, my mom joined us with our two nieces -- she was watching them this morning because their parents were both working.

Here are both of our nieces, Grace and Natalie, watching the model trains. Natalie is barely seen in this photo...She's right beside Grace.

They had these little "hand trains" as I'll call them. Basically, a child gets in and uses his or her hands to make the train go around the track. Grace really enjoyed this....Natalie said she wanted to do it, but then, when my mom went to buy her ticket, she wouldn't do it. Keep in mind that Natalie is two years old :)





Luke was too young for this this year (and too small). But, perhaps next year, he'll be able to do it :)

*****

After the train show, we went and ate at DQ. But, we didn't just eat at any DQ. We ate at the one Luke's Uncle Joel works at....So, that was fun to visit him. But, I didn't take any photos -- shame on me!

*****

And, just for fun --

Some of my former coworkers and friends from my ten-year employment with International Dairy Queen are down in Cancun this weekend. They're there for a convention. If I was still employed with International Dairy Queen, we could potentially be down there this weekend. The warm temperatures would certainly beat this cold.

But, I have absolutely NO regrets about leaving my job after having Luke. Luke needs me home more than what employment at International Dairy Queen could've or was willing to offer.

Cancun will have to come another day.....only, not for work :) Vacations without work are much better.