Sleigh Ride

Last year at Christmastime, we went on a sleigh ride with Joe's family. Everyone really enjoyed it, but this year we wanted to try a different one that was a little more secluded. We drove an hour to the mountains near Kamas to the Stillman Ranch sleigh ride. 

The bridge on the way to the ranch. Definitely secluded!

First we went to the small cabin for appetizers and hot drinks.

We got there a little early and the baby was getting bored so we took her outside. She usually hates the snow so I was so happy to get these pictures of her throwing snowballs. She was having so much fun!

It was cold, but there was a gentle snow falling which made for a perfect sleigh ride. Emilia sat at the very front and yelled "charge!" and "Yee-haw!" to the horsees. 

During the last few minutes, the wind picked up and it got really cold. I wanted to take a family picture by the horses, but this is the best we got. Emilia wanted to get into the big cabin where dinner was being served.

The big cabin was warm and cozy. We ate chicken, roast beef, potatoes and gravy, and veggies while a man played the guitar and sang cowboy songs.

Emilia mostly wanted to dance. We all ate and chatted and danced. It was hard to leave the cozy warm cabin and head into the cold night. Hopefully, we'll be able to go back someday!

Christmas

Christmas Eve was just the three of us at home. Christmas day is always such a crazy day so I love having a quiet Christmas Eve. Joe made a mini version of the traditional Italian feast of the seven fishes. We only had 3 fishes, but everything was really yummy.

After dinner, we put out cookies for Santa and read The Night Before Christmas before putting Emilia to bed. After she was asleep, Joe and I continued our tradition of watching It's a Wonderful Life. At 6:30 on Christmas morning, we all went downstairs to see what Santa Claus had brought.

We all got such wonderful things- Emilia's big gift was a play kitchen!- and she was so cute opening everything! She tore all her wrapping paper off and would say, "Oh, wow!" when she saw what the present was. It was so fun to watch her. 

We played for a little while and then got bundled up to go to my mom's house. It was snowing, which made for a beautiful white Christmas, but a bit of a slow drive. 

That's Emilia's new Bitty Baby right in front!

Soon, Ethan and Jessica and their kiddos arrived. Jessica and I had planned to have all the kids wear matching pajamas and they were all so cute.

The kids had some crazy Christmas energy!

After brunch and tons of presents and fun, we got Emilia changed into her Christmas dress and headed out to see Joe's family.

Joe's family spoiled Emilia too. She got a neat Elsa doll and a special wooden Noah's Ark and we all got some things from India.

After (a really tasty!) dinner, the baby completely melted down and we went home. It was a long day, but a day filled with family and fun. Merry Christmas, 2014!