team doughten: A Festivus Miracle!

PART I - THE GATHERING

In what can only be described as a miraculous inception, Aunt Cath was able to score the entire team dougthen cohort tickets to the Wilmington Western Railroad Festivus Light Show of 2011! As the night approached, everyone was planning to go except Uncle Harry and Aunt Linda who had been unable to find tickets. But, at the 11th hour Aunt Cath was able to negotiate two additional seats on the train and the the team was complete!

Well, almost complete. In some sad news, Mid, Pork and Ann were unable to attend the Festivus Train ride due to Mid's blood count (but keep reading, there is a happy ending!). When asked, Uncle Harry responded to the news by simply saying: "well, I guess it'll be a festivus for the rest of us." So, heavy-hearted but not without hope, the rest of the Team Doughten contingent trudged on to the train.

the entrance was simple, not hard to get to....

....and the crowd was thick, but we fought through

the children beamed with anticipation.....

.....while still others suffered from sleep deprivation

As we entered the train, the sweet smell of mold and old wood permeated our glands as we all thought back to fond memories of Porkie Pop's van. Thanks to Uncle Steph's deft maneuvering we were all able to sit in a private car together and with everyone safely aboard, the conductor punched our tickets and the night got even better!

We were all smiles as the train rolled along, looking at the lights and hearing the horn blow loud and strong

The conductor taught us history of the train, and even explained why the car we sat in had match strike stains. We traveled swiftly, forward and even backward, though not going far from where we first ventured.

Little Rachie drew her name on the window, and Bella woke up long enough to be a part of this family slideshow

All were happy, but Uncle John smelled a Chinese Plot.....

and sure enough, look who met us at the next stop!

PART II - THE CHOIR

In what turned out to be the biggest blessing of the night, after our train ride, the whole family went back to Blount Road, to surprise Mid, Pork and Ann with Christmas carols!

Middie could not believe it!

open up Middie Mom, it's me, Baby Bella!

some were excited....

.....while others looked on

Porkie Pop was in bed, but Auntie Ann ran quickly to wake him. The look on his face was priceless.

get off my lawn!

PART III - THE AFTERMATH

well, it was quite a night, to say the least...all the family went home well pleased. But not without fanfare, an afterparty ensued....to the hotel embassy, the family withdrew (few pictures available here, this post went way too long....)