Monday, December 22, 2008

It's Christmas Time in West Yellowstone!


Yeah, it's Christmas Time. After 1 and 1/2 years of planning, reserving condos, waiting, planning some more, waiting some more and making final plans we are at West Yellowstone. We have 2-3 bedroom and 1-2 bedroom condos. Everyone is either here or will be coming except for Luke and Jenn's family- Luke has to work Christmas Eve Day and the day after Christmas- boo hoo!! and James and Elizabeth who are in Hawaii; 8 months pregnant and not allowed to fly- boo hoo, but hooray for being 8 months pregnant. Dad is in SL (another story). Tessha had to work this past weekend so she's getting Dad today and bringing him up tomorrow. Seth has been here and gone home to work but will be back today. And last but not least to arrive will be Dalynn who also had to work but will be here by Christmas Eve. The roads are covered with snow and we are praying that everyone coming will get here safely. But what a wonderful way to spend Christmas.
Daniel brought the girls to IF on Friday and between the truck that Tim (Dalynn's Dad) loaned him and Tessha's car (we traded so we'd have more packing space) we were able to get everything we needed up here.
Laura and Mark arrived late Friday night

and Will and Jenni got here around 3:00 on Saturday.
Jenni helped us set up the Christmas tree in their room because it has the largest living room area.

We all ventured off to find the West Yellowstone LDS Branch on Sunday morning and then hurried back to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. After naps, the kids came over to Granma and Granpa's place and we made gingerbread cookies.

Kristi, Haini and the kids came in on Sunday evening and got all settled in their rooms with Will and Jenni and Seth. Sitani and Marley have really grown up. Sitani is talking away about everything and Marley is counting to ten pretty good.

Monday some of us went out for a walk to the store. Kristi has some fun pictures because she was smart enough to bring her camera with her. :-)



We made sugar cookies for Santa Claus and before too long Tessha got here with Dad.

Everyone helped them unload the car and get things moved in and then we had a yummy dinner of tacos in the W/H-K/H-S room. It's the condo with the biggest living space so it's easy to gather there.

This morning Tessha and Grace fixed breakfast and we ate in the D/D-M/L-G/A room.:) Figure that one out.
People have been busy wrapping presents
and keeping little ones entertained before Christmas Eve.
Peggy and Mark sent us some wonderful Washington apples with a lovely set of bells on the package. We used it to decorate our door.


On Christmas Eve,Daniel read us the Christmas story.









Mika played a song on new her violin and then shared with Sitani. And Jenni accompanied the family with a couple of Christmas songs. And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. Santa made his visit and Christmas morning came so we all gathered around the tree again to open presents.






And there you have The First Thomoose Family Reunion

It snowed and snowed and then it snowed some more. Coming home, Haini had to dig us out a couple of times.