Holiday at Hardware Ranch

2nd annual Hardware Ranch outing to see the Elk. 

Each year the city of Hyrum picks a day in December to have the community of Hyrum come for free to Hardware Ranch to see the elk and also see Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

The last time we went there was hardly any snow so they brought out the trailer with wheels on it instead of the sleigh. This year they had to do the same thing.  One of these future years we will be able to go when there is enough snow for the sleigh. Last year we got there early and we were the first ones in line and we got in and saw the elk and Santa Claus before the line got really long. So we decided to do the same thing this year and we once again we were the first ones there waiting in our van nice and warm. As we were waiting in line, there was not very many elk in the meadow and we were kind of disappointed, but as we were watching the mountainsides there came a huge herd of elk out of the East side of the mountain. There had to be a least 100 or so. Then as we were on the wagon ride there came another huge herd of elk out of the North mountains. Before we got off the wagon ride I bet there were close to 300 head of elk in the meadow.

As you can tell the kids are having a blast. Every one was bundled up nice and warm. Even Charlotte loved being bundled up. She slept the whole time we were there. Good old Colby and his wacky faces.

Here are all of the awesome elk we saw.  It was so cool to be so close to them and watch them feed on the hay set out for them.  The people at Hardware Ranch feed the elk during the winter months in order to keep them out of the fields and towns in the Valley.  The elk come year after year to this little cove in the mountains.  There were some big bulls in the herd this year and it was cool to see them as well.  The kids were so excited to see the elk.

After the wagon ride, we had hot chocolate and cookies as we walked up to the ranger station to see Santa.  While waiting in line the kids measured themselves against the eagle winds.

Finally we made it to Santa and Mrs. Claus!  This Santa is the real deal.  He had the kids all talking about Christmas and everything they wanted.  Both Santa and Mrs. Claus were so friendly.  Colby told me later that all of the other Santa's we see at parties or malls are just guys dressed up in a costume but the Santa at Hardware Ranch is the real Santa!  

After a fun morning at Hardware Ranch, we headed home to warm up.  That night was our ward Christmas party.  The theme was Ugly Sweater contest and, let me tell you, there were some pretty awesome/ugly sweaters.   

Emily and Colby had a good time participating in the entertainment at the party.  Emily was in the primary bell choir and performed a couple of songs with the group.  They sounded really good.  Then both Colby and Emily were in the Nativity program with the rest of the Primary.  Colby was a crazy shepherd while Emily was an angel.  They all did great.

At the end, we got to see Santa again.

As you can see they were all smiles sitting on Santa's lap.  Even Charlotte's first Santa experience was a success.  But also as you can see, Colby's assumption of Santa is also correct, this is just a guy dressed up and the real Santa is at Hardware Ranch!  Oh well good thing kids don't care.  

What a fun way to start off the Christmas season.