Christmas Party FHE

We used to have people over all the time.... "we used to go on vacation.... we used to have fun..... etc. etc."  But then somehow we became really boring and we haven't had friends over for about 100 years.  We decided to remedy that this year (despite Mr. Bechtel's faint protests) and invited Morrells, and Hemsleys, and Russells over for Family Home Evening.

While I read the Christmas story Katie Morrell took random photos of everyone:

Here we have Ryan and Ben

and Doug and Annette

and the engaged couple, Jessica and Westley along with Batman Tim.

Steve and Virginia in the background.  Look at those horrendously dirty windows!  No wonder no one has bought the house yet!

Shauna and Justin.  (Shauna's girls, Brittany and Crystal were around earlier for dinner, but then ran off with their ballroom boyfriends.)

And Braeburn with his cronies, Nick and Isaac.

It was a ball and everyone helped, and the food was yummy and it was super fun to see everyone.

The Pie Princess

Well, when Golden Delicious decides something, it is decided, and I am pleased to report she was wildly successful with the pie project.

After Laura's great tutorial, and then after we switched to coconut oil instead of butter or crisco, everything came together.

The boys at Crabapple Farm were more than happy to act as taste testers.

Aunt Laura to the Rescue!

Part way through the epic pie making session, Aunt Laura arrived.  Thank heavens.  Our crust was horrid.  I had even purchased Crisco to try and do things officially, since I usually use butter, but nothing was working.

Laura took one look at thing, washed her hands, and got to work.

Of course she made it look effortless and easy.  Elaina has a pro mentor!  It was so instructive to watch.  Golden Delicious and I felt like we were watching food network.

Meanwhile Uncle Bechtel entertained Gracie.

Playing the binky game!  Gracie liked Mr. Bechtel.  Me too.  Smart girl!

Everyone's Home!

Thanksgiving was great!  Everyone was home!  Braeburn had to update the kids on all the stupid, stupid old spice commercials.  They are hilarious in a very strange way, I guess.

Golden Delicious decided that, as a Wadsworth, it was her duty to become an epic pie maker.  She made LOTS of pies!

 Braeburn offered to draw me a design to go on the hearth for Christmas.  I love it.

Goodbye Lovely Inn

and as the finishing touch:  a full moon was rising!  So amazing!

(and the pizza we had it West Yellowstone was yummy too :))

Art at the Inn

It is so fun to see art in progress.  I went to Yellowstone twice this summer, and never did manage to catch, "Jim", at work, but I loved studying what he was doing.

This is an adorable concept.  I loved it, especially since we had just watched Old Faithful and seen the little chipmunks.

And Lake Lodge.  I've always loved it here, ever since we first came to Yellowstone when I was 12.  Mr. Bechtel and I were going to stay here, but it costs too much money, and it's truly not very nice.  But it is lovely to eat dinner looking out the windows over Yellowstone Lake.

Inside the Inn

We had a great time exploring inside the building.  I took a picture inside a room and then Prairie said, "MOM! There are people in there!"  so then I scurried away.  How embarassing.

And here I am trying to get us all in a selfie.  

In discussing architecture, I think that although the fireplace is amazing, we might have to modify our plans because it would take about 100 million cords of wood a year to heat.