Trains and Texas Snow

The other day as we were driving to Justin's intramural football game, we passed a train. Matthew was thrilled and wanted to go and see the train, especially because it had a red caboose. As luck would have it, this train is actually part of the Ranching Heritage Museum. It is 16 acres of old houses, farms, etc. that they have set up for you to learn about the history of ranching and the southwest. As part of this museum, they have a real train. Best part-the museum is free! So we can go back whenever we want..and I have a feeling we will be going back often. It was actually really cool to be so up close and hands on with a real locomotive!

This is actually from a few weeks ago. There was a train group that set up their model trains at the library for a few days. We met Matthew's friend there and the boys had a blast watching all the trains. I thought it was relevant to this train post.

The boys are sitting in one of the cattle cars. This one would have been used for smaller animals since it had two levels.

Matthew and Daddy in front of the engine and coal car. Matthew got to look inside and see all the levers and buttons. He kept talking about how it was just like the Polar Express, especially because it had a real coal car!

Isn't she a beauty?

Little boy heaven

We of course picked one of the only cold days we have had to go on our outdoor adventure. But it was kind of fun to get all bundled up. I have pictures of  Koyle as a newborn in this hat. It is still adorable on him.

Sitting on the caboose. Mom and Dad were fascinated by the engine, but Matthew kept wanting to come back to the red caboose. It was definitely the highlight for him. It was humbling to see the meager accommodations they had on the train; and they considered traveling by train a luxury!

I couldn't get over how big the engine wheels were. They were taller than me! The whole thing was so huge, and very awe inspiring.

Sitting on the chuggas. They were also massive. Matthew thought that was cool.

Seeing my little boys next to this ginormous machine brought a whole new meaning to the thought of being run over, or hit by a train.

After our train excursion we decided to run over and take a picture of the cotton fields. They are so beautiful. Especially when one sneaks up on you. Brown, dirt, open space everywhere and then BAM! a beautiful white cotton field!

The fields were more pretty a week ago; they were a little more dry and dead today so the brown showed through more. A lot of the fields have already been picked, and there were actually tractors out harvesting this field while we were taking pictures of it.