Utah Family Fun: North Pole Express and The Dicken's Festival

Scroll down for a $5 off coupon to the North Pole Express!

This is the year.  The year when each of my children is old enough to really get into the magic of Christmas, and young enough to still believe in the magic of Christmas.  They're the absolute embodiment of the holiday cheer - shouting "Merry Christmas!" at strangers in the grocery store, humming "Frosty The Snowman" while they make their beds, begging to buy presents for family members, wearing Santa hats everywhere they go and, of course, listening each night for the Polar Express to pull up outside their window.

So when the Heber Valley Railroad graciously offered to host our family on a special ride on their North Pole Express, my kids nearly exploded with Christmas excitement!  We bundled in our snuggliest jammies, grabbed our tickets and hopped on board for a magical evening of singing, laughing, hot-chocolate-sipping, and more!  Our "elves" took good care of us on the train, bringing around treats and a holiday book full of stories & songs. 

My little Jude kept his nose pressed against the window and was the first to see jolly old St. Nick waving to us as we reached the North Pole!  Soon Santa and Mrs. Claus hopped on the North Pole Express with us to hear the children's wishlists.  He even gave each of them a special gift!

It was a truly magical night - the delight in my little ones' eyes was one of the best Christmas presents I've ever been given. 

And now I've got a little Christmas present to pass on to YOU from the Heber Valley Railroad!  You can get $5 OFF North Pole Express coach tickets if you call this number:  435-654-5601 and tell them you'd like the "Utah Blogger" discount, found on SuperMom Central.  Excursions leave every night at 5:00 and 7:30 but hurry - tickets sell out fast for this Utah holiday favorite!

We also had the opportunity to visit the Dicken's Christmas Festival just yesterday and had ourselves a jolly good time! 

Decor, costumes and entertainment transform the Utah State Fairgrounds into 19th Century England for a festive holiday market that would cheer Scrooge himself.  There was something for everyone - I enjoyed browsing the hand-made gifts, Gabby was enthralled by a performance of "Oliver", Jude loved making brass rubbings, Merrick squeeled as we rode around the grounds in a horse-drawn carriage and Brett ate platefuls of strawberry crepes.  Such a unique and charming holiday event!