Alamosa kicks off the Holiday Season with the "Train Lighting" event. The event was moved up a week this year and so this was the first time we have ever been in town to join in the festivities. I know that most will find this hard to believe, but I FORGOT to bring my camera along to record the memories. (AAAAaarrrrgggGGHHHH!!!) Anyway, everyone met at the County Courthouse where the County Commissioners "flipped the switch" and the Courthouse was all lit up with Christmas lights. Then we walked down the street (the police actually had the streets blocked off for this!) to City Hall where the mayor turned the City Hall lights on. Next, we walked across the street to Cole Park and Engine #169 where we counted down for the train lights to come on. From the train, we were all to walk down State Street to Centennial Park to see Santa.
It would've been a perfect evening if that was how it all played out.
Jamie and his friend, Parker, were so excited about the Christmas lights and, especially the train, that they took off running from City Hall to the park. I kept up with them while Lynn and several others from playgroup herded their children to the train. I was "watching" Jamie & Parker and had them go right up to the fence next to the train so they would have the best view. I turned around for, maybe, 20 seconds to find Lynn and tell her where Parker was. When I turned around...BOTH boys were GONE! The train hadn't even been lit yet. Lynn took off one way and I went the other and eventually Jamie found his way back but Parker was nowhere to be found. It was amazing how fast everyone spread out and started searching for Parker and how others stayed put and watched the rest of the kids during the frantic search. It seemed like an eternity that Parker was missing and, of course, we were thinking of every BAD thing that could've happened to him. Robert found Parker about 15 minutes later walking with the crowd on State Street and Main Street, totally oblivious to the desperateness of the situation. Parker, apparently, was just caught up in the crowd that walked from the train to Centennial Park, although I still don't understand why he took off before the train lights came on. It totally freaked me out though, because, like I said, I was "watching" him so I felt responsible. I was in a different zone for the rest of the night. We eventually made it downtown to see Santa but I don't think my heart stopped racing for an hour or so. I had nightmares that night and I don't think I will EVER get the faces of Lynn & Tony, as they were searching for their son, out of my head. Thank God that Parker was found safe and sound!
So, we did eventually make it to see Santa and Jamie was very determined to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. (We're still trying to figure out what he actually told Santa...something about Larry Boy.) Since I had forgotten my camera, I was able to take a photo with my camera phone. My camera phone doesn't have flash so the photo is grainy but I really like it...kind of has an old "nostalgic" look to it. Now, all we have to do is figure out what Jamie wants from Santa this year...sure would hate to disappoint a 4 year old and ruin the magic of Christmas.
It would've been a perfect evening if that was how it all played out.
Jamie and his friend, Parker, were so excited about the Christmas lights and, especially the train, that they took off running from City Hall to the park. I kept up with them while Lynn and several others from playgroup herded their children to the train. I was "watching" Jamie & Parker and had them go right up to the fence next to the train so they would have the best view. I turned around for, maybe, 20 seconds to find Lynn and tell her where Parker was. When I turned around...BOTH boys were GONE! The train hadn't even been lit yet. Lynn took off one way and I went the other and eventually Jamie found his way back but Parker was nowhere to be found. It was amazing how fast everyone spread out and started searching for Parker and how others stayed put and watched the rest of the kids during the frantic search. It seemed like an eternity that Parker was missing and, of course, we were thinking of every BAD thing that could've happened to him. Robert found Parker about 15 minutes later walking with the crowd on State Street and Main Street, totally oblivious to the desperateness of the situation. Parker, apparently, was just caught up in the crowd that walked from the train to Centennial Park, although I still don't understand why he took off before the train lights came on. It totally freaked me out though, because, like I said, I was "watching" him so I felt responsible. I was in a different zone for the rest of the night. We eventually made it downtown to see Santa but I don't think my heart stopped racing for an hour or so. I had nightmares that night and I don't think I will EVER get the faces of Lynn & Tony, as they were searching for their son, out of my head. Thank God that Parker was found safe and sound!
So, we did eventually make it to see Santa and Jamie was very determined to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. (We're still trying to figure out what he actually told Santa...something about Larry Boy.) Since I had forgotten my camera, I was able to take a photo with my camera phone. My camera phone doesn't have flash so the photo is grainy but I really like it...kind of has an old "nostalgic" look to it. Now, all we have to do is figure out what Jamie wants from Santa this year...sure would hate to disappoint a 4 year old and ruin the magic of Christmas.
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