{Annual Polar Express weekend // Grinch's Lair}

 Saturday is always the biggest, most exciting day of our Polar Express weekend—and it all kicks off with one of our favorite stops: the Grinch’s Lair!

{The Grinch's Lair // 2022}

No trip to Palestine is complete without visiting the Grinch's Lair!! Ever since I captured this photo of Mason and the Grinch, they've had a pretty great bond! Over the years we have gotten to know the owners and love to see them each Christmas season! Mason even got to play a part in the Grinch's Lair one year! 

{Palestine 2022 // Camping & Around town}

We have been traveling to Palestine, TX since 2015 for a weekend full of Christmas fun! We camp (in the camper), shop the antique stores, have lunch at the same restaurant, visit the Grinch, and ride the Polar Express! Each year brings new memories and fun. It's one of my favorite weekends of the year.

  

{The Grinch's Lair // 2021}

 Traditions are something I hold near and dear to my heart. And one of those traditions is our annual trip to the Grinch's Lair! The owners have become some friends of ours and it's always nice to see them! Mason loves to reminisce on the time he got to play the part of Max for the Grinch's Lair. 

{Merry GRINCHmas // 2020}

 I'm sure it goes without saying {this is 2020 afterall}, but our trip to visit the Grinch's Lair looked a little different this year. We had to purchase tickets in advance as they were only letting so many people in at a time. We had 11 in our group so we were basically in there by ourselves. They checked our temperatures at the door and everyone had to wear masks. Also, the Grinch stayed stationary this year instead of running around the lair. Even with this, we had a great time visiting our favorite Grinch's Lair. 

{Mason got to play Max at the Grinch's Lair}

On December 10th the owner of the Grinch's Lair messaged me and asked if Mason would like to play the part of Max that upcoming Saturday! I already knew what Mason's answer would be, but I needed to talk it over with Nathan. I already had plans with my family for our annual baking party so that meant Nate would be flying solo with Mason. It's an almost two-hour drive there and back. I knew Nate wouldn't mind but wanted to discuss it with him first. Of course, he was on board and excited for Mason! So we asked Mason and he couldn't say yes quick enough! He was so happy!!

{The Grinch's Lair // Palestine 2019}

We all know that a trip to Palestine is not complete without a trip to the Grinch's Lair! I think this was our 4th visit to the lair, maybe the 5th. Whatever the number might be, it never ever disappoints. Mason looks forward to visiting his favorite Grinch each time we are in the area. It's so fun and festive and the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

{Camping in Palestine, TX // annual Polar Express & Grinch weekend}

This past weekend was our 5th annual trip to Palestine for all things festive and magical! It's literally one of my favorite weekends of the year. Every time I try to explain this weekend the only word I can come up with is magical, and it truly is. From camping in a magical forest to visiting the Grinch's Lair, and then capping it off with a trip to the North Pole via the Polar Express, it really is a feel-good-get-in-the-spirit time! I'm forever grateful for this weekend with my people and for all of the special memories we have made in Palestine, TX.

{Merry Grinchmas // 2018}

One of our favorite things to do each year is visiting our favorite Grinch while in Palestine, TX. We normally visit him while were are there for the Polar Express. Only it didn't work out this time. Grinch didn't open until the weekend after we were at Polar Express! We, and especially Mason, were so bummed! But, we made a plan to go back and visit another weekend. And that we did! We had a whole Grinch themed day!

{The Grinch // Palestine, TX}

I've been in such a "New Years" fog that I completely forgot I have Christmas posts to catch up on! Or maybe I have just been putting them off because I know everyone is pretty much over "Christmas" at this point. But, alas, I want these posts on the blog! If you remember...way back in November we made a trip to Palestine +  Rusk Texas to kick off our Christmas season with a trip to the Polar Express and to visit our most favorite Grinch! It's hands-down one of our favorite weekends of the entire year.

{2017 Winter Bucket list // Update #1 // Parade, Tree farm, Polar Express, Grinch, Santa}

It's barely December and we've already completed 53% of our 2017 Winter Bucket List! We can't help it. We love the holidays something fierce around here. That gives us the whole month of December to complete the other 47% of our list. I have no doubts that we'll finish this fun winter list, plus some. Here is what we have crossed off our 2017 Winter Bucket List so far...

But bear with me...this is going to be a long post. We've covered a lot of Christmas ground lately.

{Winter Bucket Update // A Polar Express and Grinch filled weekend}

Time for another bucketlist update! This one deserved it's own post. It's one of our favorite trips and we look forward to it each year...our Polar Express and Grinch weekend! We travel a couple of hours East to a quaint little town nestled in the Piney Woods for a weekend of camping, train-riding and Grinching. This year it rained the majority of the time, but we still had a great time.