A tradition is when you keep on doing something

Got up real early to purchase some provisions for the week. Trader Joe's sure is a fine establishment.
(That's Matthew in Ida's cart.)

But, damn, we were up for a reason. Holiday train!


You have to get there early, then rush across the parking lot!

Oh, wait that there one was from LAST YEAR; this year it looked more like this:

Anyways, everyone looks great on that train.

These guys, too! They thought departure was at 11, but it was at 10. They were really late!

It was kind of funny not just because Ella was Furious, but because they made a mad sprint and actually got to the train (some people may have been wearing pajamas), with Holiday Train Volunteers on walkie talkies making sure we didn't leave without them. Everyone on the train was watching them. This couple sitting near us had this conversation:

Man: Look at that late family, that limping dude is really trying to keep up!
Wife: Yeah, he is; his fly is down, too. How lame can you get? We're all waiting for this jokester?

This is what they looked like last year; see any difference?

Obligatory:

Santa's the one who brought us the candy canes.

I got Ida to give hers up by promising a trip to the "open car" where we could yell things at passing bicyclists.

Ella R. V rocks hot looks like this every day.