Cozy Cabin Christmas

Holidays in Hatch are my favorite. It's so fun to have no where in particular to go, and to be able to slow down and visit with all the family. 

Christmas is especially wonderful at the Cabin. There's a whistling kettle ready for hot cocoa and Pero, a cozy "smudge" in the wood-burning stove, big windows to watch the snowflakes through, and of course the meadow with plenty of cute trees to bring home for decorating.

This year there was more than enough snow for a white Christmas. Our trek to find a tree proved that really quick. ;) It was so beautiful though, I love having snow storms on Christmas. It feels so magical and cozy.

Our tree finding crew had lots of fun and giggles. Especially when I did a crazy dance and lost my *white* phone in the snow. ;) Adventurous for sure. 

After bringing the tree into the cabin, we took the December flowers to Grandpa's head stone. We miss Grandpa all year long, but it's especially prominent during Christmas Eve when his deep voice isn't there to read Luke 2. It is bitter sweet though, because we usually reminisce about our favorite 'classic Grandpa' stories. :) I can't wait for the day I get to hear his big voice sing "Shannon is a sweetie pie, I love her every day ay ay" and give him a big bear hug. :)

Uncle Ivor and his family always make the most delicious dipped chocolates. :) (They don't last around us very long haha.)

Jaden had a blast playing with cars and ramps, pretending to cook, and helping us decorate. (And being Pa's helper every chance he got.)

On Christmas Eve we let Jaden open one present- Christmas Pajamas. When I was little we always opened Grandma and Grandpa Barton's presents on Christmas eve, and they were always the best Christmas Jammies. :) I've been so excited to continue the tradition with my little family. 

 Christmas morning started out a little grumpily for some of us. (I won't name names.... we'll just call him J. Coffin. No no, Jaden C. ;) ) We maybe had a hard time going to sleep on Christmas Eve (of course) and Jaden didn't give in until 11ish. He also got up around 5:30-6... so ya know. Not a lot of sleep to help out with the toddler attitude.
Luckily, Santa brought Jaden dino fruit snacks, and oranges. Which perked him up in no time.
He got a sweet Thomas bath toy from Auntie Miss, and after that everything he opened he asked, "Where's Thoma?"

Lesson learned. We could have literally gotten him oranges and one Thomas toy and he'd be content. :)

 We're lucky to have so many awesome Aunties (and uncles) for Jaden. They keep him entertained, and he has withdrawals when we go home. :)

Thanksgiving 2015

This year we had Thanksgiving with Coffin/Gallegos side of the family, at Mike and Vicki's. 

The cousins were hilarious to watch with each other, the food was sooo yummy, and it was great to visit with everyone for the day! 

Matt worked a weird shift so that he had 12-5 off, but worked before and after that. We were so glad that it worked out so that Matt could be with us for the festivities. 

The Matts have a special relationship. :)

Best. Face. Ever.
Who knew pinecones were this amazing? Who knew?

Family picture attempt.... haha we'll call it lifestyle photography. ;)

We tried to take nice normal pictures.... and then Matt. :)

Love these boys!

Jaden pretty much hit his limit toward the end hah. 

Happy Valentines!

For Valentines this year, Matt and I had planned on sending Jaden to my Mom's so we could actually eat our own dinner. :p Instead of sharing all of our food with a screeching little person who's running into walls and slamming cupboards. Haha. We ended up pulling a Bones stunt and honoring the St. Valentine's massacre by going out to 2,000 flushes and shooting with Brad and Olyvia Meyer. After that we went straight to Zions (yay for free National Park days!) and picnicked! Our plan was to do the Weeping Rock trail, which is about half a mile round trip. Sounds easy enough for an out of shape mama and a pregnant girl right? Well... we ended up passing the fork to do that hike and went quite a while up the Observation Point hike before realizing our mistake. :p Poor Lyvi was probably so exhausted by the time we were done! She's a trooper... I don't think I would have been as cheerful about it all as she was if I was pregnant.  Despite our extra hikage, it was a lot of fun! I think I was meant to be a gawking tourist. ;) I felt so giddy going on an adventure out of town where we were going to 'sight see'. Matt isn't big into stopping to sight see when we travel. I guess I'll just have to teach him to enjoy that! :) We're definitely making it a goal to visit more places around our home. I hadn't been to Zion's in YEARS, and I have no idea why. It's absolutely beautiful! Utah is gorgeous- I'm going to miss it if we end up out of state (which we probably will) for school.

Olyvia brought a balloon, which turned out to be the best entertainment of the day!
(Well.. that and the dirt he ate later.)

His little spunk face haha. 

Mmm... National park dirt is even better than regular park dirt! ;)

These two love birds are so fun to hang out with. :) I went to
high school with Lyv in Piute, and I never would have thought
we'd be new mamas living across from each other. It's been so
great though, I'm glad life turned out this way!

GREEN! All over the place, in FEBRUARY!! So insane!
*turns out we got a pretty big snow storm a weekish later.

Oh Matthew... (shakes head slowly)

Adventurous boys!

It was such a beautiful day! I wished we could stay outside forever. :)