Trains, tractors and 80th Birthdays

Last weekend Ellie and I went to Roanoke for a packed weekend full of trains, tractors and family.

It is my Granddaddy’s 80th birthday this week and over the weekend we had a party for him. It was also the 125th anniversary of the Norfolk and Southern Rail Road Roanoke Shops (where my Daddy, Uncle, Granddaddy, and Great Granddaddy worked).

There was a special celebration at the shops and since my Uncle Barry still works there we got tickets to tour the shops. It was so cool!! We got to see trains that had been repaired and trains waiting to be repaired. The 611 and the 1218 vintage steam trains were brought down to the shops so you could see them. We sat inside a locomotive in the driver’s seat and Ellie got to ride on a minature steam train. She loved it and didn’t want to get off so they let her have two rides.

Sat. night Dad hooked up his little red wagon to the tractor and took Ellie and me for a ride. It was so much fun it had both of us yelling “one more time!”

Sunday was the birthday party for Paw Paw. It was great, the whole family was there. I got lots of baby Sasha time and Ellie got loads of cuddles.

We got home last night, both tired but full of stories of our exciting weekend.

Thanks everyone for making it so wonderful (especially Mom and Dad for having us and letting us use their camera).

the 1218

why my dad says never try to out run a train look how big they really are

Dad in front of a wrecked train waiting to be fixed

choo choo ride

tractor ride

Happy 80th Paw Paw

kisses baby Sasha

out for a walk

baby Sasha