2022
This year I did something a little different. I wanted this year's addition to the train to include something from each member of our family of four. Usually, it’s all me but i wanted to include everyone's creativity.
This year's train car theme is Santa's "Letters to Santa" Book. I had Mona, Charlie, Oliver and myself write an actual letter to Santa. Then I shrunk it down and inserted them into my version of Santa's letters book. I envisioned Santa sitting in his office at the North pole resting in his chair with the book across from him.
The Letters Book is being held up by none other than Pumbaa from the Lion King. Oliver is once again in musical theatre and has nabbed the role of Pumbaa.
Under Santa's Chair is an alligator which has stolen Santa's cap as he naps. Charlie has left elementary school and started Grade 8 at Walnut Grove Secondary School, who's school mascot is the Gators.
Leaning up against the front leg of Santa's chair is Charlie's first cell phone which he received for his 13th birthday in July.
You will notice on top of one of the posts across from Santa is a sombrero with an iguana. This April all four of us went for 10 days to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico. It was Charlie and Oliver's first time to Mexico and was a much-anticipated trip after having been trapped at home from all the Covid-19 restrictions.
At the pool we would usually get the same deck chairs and it happened to be near a small bridge and under that bridge lived an iguana which would hang out, nap and wait to be fed bananas by the guests.
Lastly, on the back of Santa's chair you'll find a Lotus flower. Our dear friend Kristine Drombolis fought hard but lost her battle with a rare form of Cancer. Kristine had numerous beautiful tattoos but she had this lotus tattooed over her heart.
The only other person, that was not related in either of our families, to be represented on our little Xmas Xpress is Eddie Van Halen who passed away two years ago. Eddie Van Halen was a personal hero of mine so Kristine is definitely in very good company and deserves a place in our family's story. Both will never be forgotten!