Pufferbilly Days 2012

Pufferbilly Days in Boone - it's our town celebration of our railroad heritage. The Union Pacific Railroad was celebrating their 150th year and had several fun exhibits open. We went early Friday to beat the crowds.

 They had a really big "mini" train for us all to ride and we found friends to ride with - The Reece Family!

 

 Tyler standing outside a neat touring train that has been turned into a traveling train history museum on wheels.

They brought a really big steam engine to show off - one of the last steam engines of this size they built and it was saved for displays like this. Tyler said it looked just like the Polar Express train engine!

 Tyler wanted to climb all over it, luckily there were lots of railroad staff there to help me discourage him!

Then (as if all THAT wasn't enough train excitement)...Tyler saw this UP VIP passenger train pull up an asked to ride it. I had heard they were giving free rides but had not heard that tickets had to be bought online in advance. And...they were all sold out plus a long waiting list.

 Tyler was heartbroken we couldn't ride, but I asked anyway and they told me to come back early before the next 1:30PM trip and wait to see of someone didn't show up. Tyler is one lucky kid because one man came with an extra ticket because his wife couldn't make it, he gave us her ticket so we could ride!!!! He got our ticket punched and then they told us our luck was even greater because they had just ONE spot left in the upper level observation car!!!

 All Aboard!

 He was "jumping out of your skin" excited!!

 We sat next to a lady named Pat who knew a lot of local railroad history to tell us.

 

 

 

 One lucky boy

 And thanks to a Caillou episode, we had to go check out the train bathrooms too! :)

We have ridden on a lot of Scenic Valley trains, but this was totally different because we were on the official UP tracks, sitting way up high, big comfy seats, smooth track, and we got to see other trains wiz past us.

 Here is our train!

 One more mini train ride!

 OK - just one more (his 4th ride) but there was no line so it was hard to say no.

Saturday was a busy day! Adam ran a 5K & Tyler ran the last block with him to the finish, pancake breakfast, parade, story time, lunch downtown, then the kid's fun run, and the ISU Football Game!!!

 Hannah really got into the parade this year and danced for each marching band!

 Enjoying the cool treat the DQ float passed out! Fareway gave him a Hostess Cupcake and it was gone before the end of the parade too!

Sharing with little sister

 Tyler got tired of catching candy towards he end of the 2-hour parade but Hannah was more than willing to help take over!

 

Then we went to the Treehouse for my friend Bethany's UsBourne Books story time. Hannah played in the house. Tyler enjoyed story time!

 Tyler's first kids fun run. He did the 100 meter run here (ISU #11 with the blue hat)

 And then ran the 200 meter. He wanted to keep going, but we had to leave for the game.

 He was so PROUD of his medal!!! Fun day & hope they both sleep well tonight!