We dreamed of a White Christmas

When we were planning our Christmas this year with Dan's family, Emma had just one wish...To go somewhere with snow. So even though she says Hawaii is still her favorite place, we heeded her wishes and ended up spending a week of snow-filled fun in Idaho and Wyoming.

Emma wanted snow and she got snow! This is Grand Tetons National Park
Everyone had a lot of fun in the snow skiing, snowmobiling, building snowmen, and sledding.
On Monday, we headed out for our first day of skiing.We went to Targhee Ski Resort for a day of fun. Emma took a half day ski class while Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma reacquainted themselves with the basics of skiing. (Okay, Mommy and Grandma stayed with the basics, while Daddy headed up to the big hills).
On Tuesday, Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Scott headed out for another adventure. Waking up very early in the morning, they ventured out for a day of snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park. In the winter, the park is only accessible by Snowmobile or Snow bus.

Driving through Jackson, Wyoming before the sun comes up

At the park entrance

The park was absolutely gorgeous

The first waterfall we encountered

Our first wildlife sighting, a fox

Then we saw this big guy. We encountered at least 100 bison throughout the day

Those black dots in the background are another herd of Bison

our rides for the day

Warming my toes at lunch. It was REALLY, REALLY COLD!

Gassing up for the trip home

We saw a few more waterfalls on the way back

Upper falls

Lower falls

We also saw the mud volcanoes

Last falls of the day

Dan "Slides" down the hill
On Wednesday, the family scattered for the day for various activities. Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Tricia headed out to Yellowstone for a Snow bus tour

This is what the snow buses look like
Daddy, Uncle Scott and Emma headed out for another day of Skiing in Jackson and Ian and mommy stayed warm at home because this is what it looked like out our window

Ian also enjoyed playing with forbidden Emma toys...

and pretending to be a little angel

Emma had an awesome day at ski school and now skis as well, if not better than Mommy!

Emma and her ski class catching a ride up the mountain with Santa


By the end of the day she was taking the lift with Daddy and Uncle Scott

Skiing to Daddy
On Thursday, we all headed into Jackson to do some last minute Christmas shopping

Daddy and Ian peruse the shops

Having fun with the "Wildlife"

One of the famous antler arches in the town square
On Friday, Daddy, Mommy, and Emma headed out for one more day of skiing in Jackson Hole

Emma ski class going down the hill

Emma and mommy ready to race

One of Emma's last runs of the day
Saturday was Christmas and it was probably the most low key of all the day. We opened our stockings....

Played with new toys

and relaxed after many days in the snow.
On Sunday, we all headed home after a very fun filled week

Emma's School Christmas Program

Emma has been really excited about her school Christmas Concert. Her bible teacher, Ms Logan does and excellent job telling the Christmas Story with the children acting it out and then leading the children in fun Christmas songs.

This is Ms. Logan, director extraordinaire.
Emma also kept a little secret from us.... May I present to you,

Wise Man Number 3! Emma had a part in the play and kept it as a surprise to us.
Here is the Christmas story as told by preschoolers:

Mary and Joseph were visited by angels to tell them about Jesus (Emma's good friend Marissa played Mary)

Baby Jesus was born in a Manger

An angel tells the shepherds about the baby Jesus

The shepherds go to see the baby Jesus

Here come the Wise men from afar

Emma told me later that her Wise men costume was a little big :)

The Wise men offer their gifts to the baby Jesus

Look here comes everyone!

Singing "Away in the Manger"
There was a quick costume change and then on with the concert


This was "Feliz Navidad" with the 2's class playing the Maracas

Emma was really good with the hand motions

We were so proud of Emma's performance!

Where in the world are Emma and Ian

Dan really likes to surprise us and this week he had a big one planned! We were having hardwood floors installed in our living area and we had to be out of the house, so he planned a little trip. Can you guess where we went????
Here are some pictures to help you guess....

We were the "Catch of the Day"

We waited in lines

and pooped out!

We are tall enough!

To go on the big rides!

Only to get stuck at the top of the hill and have to be rescued (She went on two more times after this!)

Ian enjoyed a tea party

And Emma visited with her favorite Princesses

We rode an elephant

and had a truly "magical" time

What a wonderful early Christmas Surprise!