On Saturday we met family at the New Hope Valley Railway to celebrate Ian's 3rd Birthday. One of our birthday presents to him was a train ticket (well, you know that really means train tickets for all of us), and he was so excited that week between his actual birthday until "train ride day".
He was pretty fascinated by the scaled trains.
But he really enjoyed seeing the big trains.
He is completely obsessed with train couplings. So here he is getting his picture taken with the coupler.
Uncle Mike, Isabel and Ian next to the baggage car.
We got to go inside some of the different stationary cars. This Saturday was NC Science Festival Day, so there were volunteers giving the "science of trains" talks and we could have learned a lot had Ian wanted to stay in one place for very long ;)
About a week before our train ride, we received the bad news that the steam engine would not be pulling the train because it needed repairs. So our train was pulled by a diesel engine. The adults were bummed, but it did not disappoint Ian.
Here he is before the train started to move.
He was so excited about his ticket. He held it tight almost the entire ride. I think he was worried that a "Polar Express incident" might happen if he did not grip that ticket hard. He was not going to let it get away.
Uncle Paul, Grandma H and Caroline.
Uncle Mike, Isabel and Aunt Kate.
Uncle Matt, Rob and Ian.
Uncle Matt with an awesome background.
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Isabel, Aunt Kate and Caroline
Ian hearing the train's whistle for the first time.
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Train starting to move!
Coming back into the station.
Uncle Matt, Uncle Mike, Isabel, Ian and me!
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Ian and Mommy!
In front of the broken steam engine that would've pulled our train.
It was a fairly hot day and there was no shade. I tipped over my container of cupcakes and the icing was ruined, but they still tasted delicious. Ian ate two.
Celebrating on Uncle Mike's blanket! Good thinking, Uncle Mike!
Happy 3rd Birthday, Ian!
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I think he had a great day.
