Snowmobiling in Yellowstone

A family trip to Yellowstone was one of the highlights of our Christmas break.  This was adults only, and there ended up being 9 of us!  I originally wasn't going to go because I was pregnant... then I wasn't sure who would watch our kids... but in the end my sister-in-law and mother-in-law were able to watch them and it was SO NICE to have a break from the kids. 

The kids had such a good time with cousins! Here are a few pictures.

But back to Yellowstone.  We drove up on a Friday afternoon, about 6 hours to West Yellowstone.  We switched up who was in which cars every so often so no one got bored.  We stopped at Taco Bell and got jealous of Matt's fried cream cheese balls.  So we ordered 12 for everyone else.  Unfortunately, those 12 weren't fully cooked, and they re-made us 12 more.  It was delicious and caloric.  Meanwhile, Hyrum went next door to order hot chocolate and came back with a questionable flavor that included mango and maybe mint. He said it was delicious but no one asked to share.  (And no coat.. it was freezing!)

We arrived in time to hot tub and play games.  Unfortunately, our group was split between two hotels, and the other hotel had the hot tub.  So we walked a few minutes down the street to the other hotel, treking through the snow in our bathing suits, in only about 10 degree weather.  But worth it.  After we met in our hotel lobby for games.  

Saturday morning we were up early to start snowmobiling.  They had us in a group of 10 machines, with one or two people on each machine.  One tour guide per group to lead us around and point out animals and sights.  There were several different groups in the park, but you can only be in the park in the winter if you're part of an accompanied tour group.  (Either on snowmobile, or in vehicles that have snow tracks instead of tires.) They got us decked out in snowmobiling clothes (including helmets, boots, neck warmers, etc).  Jenna did this trip last year and told us we were in the 'cheaper' tour, which is why we got 80's neon jumpsuits instead of something more sleek.  But more $$ in our pockets, I guess.  

We spent the day riding single-file along the snow-packed roads in the park.  Occasionally we would all pullover to look at something-- swans in the river, a bald eagle, herds of bison, etc. 

This was my view for most of the day.  I drove for about an hour, but it was making my back hurt so I mostly sat in the back.  These were fancy snowmobiles-- the driver's seat had really heated handles, and even the gas lever was heated so your thumb didn't get cold.  And there was a place to put your feet to keep them warmer.  So that was the ideal spot to be, but even the back seat had heated handles, even if they were a bit weak. 

In the picture below you can see just how bundled up we were.  The temperature I think was in the teens, and the wind really whipped against our faces.  Most of us wished we had an extra neck warmer (or two) and some in our group were putting hand warmers against their cheeks.  (Let's just say Matt and Kayla came more prepared than the rest of us... to include rice krispy treats.)

When we arrived at the first rest stop and found out we could buy hot chocolate we all jumped in line.  Hot chocolate is good any time, but when you're frozen, it's even better.

Sister picture! (Minus Amie.)

Our last stop before lunch was at the thermal pots.  This was Hyrum's first time at Yellowstone, so all the sites were completely new to him.  I've only been during the summer, when the boardwalks are crammed with tourists.  It looks totally different empty and covered in snow.  

We felt a little like astronauts walking around in these big snow suits.

A highlight of the day was lunch.  First of all, because we could warm up.  Second of all, because the food was really good.  Double bacon cheese burgers, cheese fries, apple cider and soft, warm cookies.  We really had no restraint.  And no regrets.  

The lunch spot is next to Old Faithful, so after lunch we watched it go off before heading back into the park.  We took a normal pictures, which Hyrum then eclipsed with his own jumping picture.

At that point in the day most of us just wanted to get back-- it was cold, we saw enough of the park already, and we still had to drive back to Salt Lake that night.  But we stopped a few more times, to see a wolf, stop at restrooms, and then at a cool river/waterfall.  The sun was really strong at that point and looked pretty on the snow.  So a few group pictures and we were back at the lodge by around 5 pm. 

We had mostly good weather on the drive-- it definitely could have been worse so we were grateful. After so much time in the car with everyone I feel like I adequately caught up on gossip from everyone's lives, perhaps even more than they wished to share.  Matt declared me his favorite sibling. (I can say that because no one in my family reads my blog except my mom.) And then we got home. And quickly went to bed, ready for Christmas Eve the next day.  

I'm glad Jenna convinced us to go this year!  It was a once in a life-time trip, meaning it was a cool opportunity, and now I never need to do it again! :) 

Christmas in Utah 2017

Christmas Eve in my family is a bigger party than Christmas itself.  Hyrum went to his parents' house first thing in the morning to pick up the kids (we got back from Yellowstone late the night before) while I enjoyed a kid-free sacrament meeting in my parents' ward.  A few hours later we all went to Amie's ward because they were blessing baby Eden. That's when Jenna, Matt and Kayla joined the party. 

Peter and Hyrum were obviously wiped out from the fun.    

Dinner preparation was underway.  It was fun to relax and catch up with everyone.  And have people around to entertain my kids.  

There were more than 20 people at dinner.  And we were wise enough to send the little kids in the basement to play while we ate.  Everything was delicious!  Including this caramel pecan cheesecake and apple cake below. 

After dinner we (meaning my mom) gathered the kids up for the Nativity.  Tiago played Joseph, Siena played a shepherd, and Mila was a wise man.  Then my mom read a story to the whole group, a few musical numbers were performed, and the kids opened presents from their grandparents. 

My kids were exhausted by that point and went to bed pretty easily, and half of the crowd left.  The rest of us went out to the hot tub for some sibling bonding.  And unfortunately it was snowing pretty hard and my hair got soaking wet (then froze).

The next morning my kids weren't totally aware it was Christmas.  But we brought them up (around 7:30) to see what was under the tree.  I sort of manipulated them into asking for something specific from Santa, which (surprise!) is exactly what he brought them.  Tiago and Hyrum got light sabers, and the girls got little people dolls (including Minnie/Mickey and Beauty and the Beast.)

Hyrum had the biggest gift of Christmas: soccer goals from my mom. And maybe the most expensive gift: a new cell phone, from me.  He had no idea, and was thrilled to not have to use his cracked, slow phone anymore. 

My mom got the most unusually shaped gift of Christmas: a garage stair railing, made by Matt. 

All my kids received more dress up clothes from Grandma.  They seriously have so many now!!  They wanted to immediately try them all on.  And Tiago's happy to have more 'boy' costumes, in addition to the dozens of princess dresses. 

(Siena)

This Christmas I got exactly what I wanted!  I've learned to just shop for myself so I am always happy.  I was most excited to open the Kindle that I have had in the back of my closet since the Amazon sale in July.  That's a lot of self-control.  And felt hangers and a thread organizer from my mom. The one surprise was a cook book she also gave me.  

I think everyone was happy with what they got.  My kids' big present from us was magnatiles-- magnet tiles that you build with.  They weren't thrilled in the moment, but have played with them so much since then.  So they were kind of like a present for myself...

We ate breakfast, and for the first year in over a decade, didn't eat Betty's Brunch.  (So was it really even Christmas morning...?)  But the sausage haters were happy, and we still had the cinnamon roll Christmas tree (and a lemon/strawberry french toast thing.)

The kids played with the toys for a while, and in the afternoon we went to the Suarez' house for Christmas part 2.  Unfortunately I was terrible at taking pictures, but it was a completely full house. The big event was talking to Hunter on Skype, who is serving his mission in North Carolina.  Despite the challenges of a bad connection, forgotten passwords, and too many cooks in the kitchen, his family was able to talk with him and the rest of us got to say hi.  Hyrum even did a little dancing for him, to really make him miss home.  

We ate more food!  And had cake for Oscarito's birthday.  The kids all opened their presents which is always one of the more crazy moments of the day.  My kids got adorable church clothes, and some toys.  (The girls got make-up and nail stuff, which they're obsessed with.  Tiago got legos which he's also obsessed with.)

We stayed until it was the kids' bedtime, again, and went home to crash after a long day.  (I think we actually watched A Christmas Carol at Courtney's request, and then she fell asleep in the middle.)

As a parent, it's fun to experience Christmas through my kids.  They had such a blast with all the toys and all the relatives around to give them attention.  When I ask them what their favorite holiday is, it's fun to hear them say, "Christmas" and then list all the fun things: snow, lights, gingerbread houses, etc.