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. 

Jaden. My funny little stinker.

Jaden babe is 16 months old. (2 down until nursery, but who's counting. ;) ) Here's what he's up to lately!

Speech: Jaden says mama, dada, beesh (please), goggy (which sounds more like doggy, but I'm starting to think that's how he says "Charlie" who is his new favorite stuffed bear.), dis (this), kiki (which is both kitty and blankie).

Jaden barks and moos, and we're working on being a little monkey. ;) Occasionally he'll roar. But he's not much of a monster boy yet. I'm sure that'll happen at some point though, haha. He's a very vocal little guy. I wish I had one of those collars from UP that translate what he's saying.

Mobility: Yes. ;)

He's ALL over the place. Jaden loves nothing more than doing his toddler trot any chance he can get. Especially when mama pulls out the diapers and wipes- that always gets his legs moving haha.

Jaden also is a full blown climber. If there's something that looks like he could climb it, he does. He's starting to attempt the tv stand too- which we had hoped we'd be able to avoid that for a little bit longer. He's even starting to open drawers and step into them. (crapcrapcrapcrap) We apparently have some more baby-proofing to do. 

Jaden thinks he's a master of stairs, but seeing as how he fell down the stairs last weekend I'm thinking we still have some work. This boy thinks he's invincible. He doesn't want to crawl up the stairs or scoot down- he wants to walk like a big kid!! Heaven help us.

Eating: Again, yes. But also no. He's kind of being picky still. For the most part he'll eat anything, as long as he feels like it. ;) Jaden still doesn't love potatoes or eggs. And if he sees watermelon at the beginning of the meal you can pretty much forget about Jaden eating anything else. (In that sense, he's totally my kid.)

Jaden is into Curious George, and Little Einsteins right now- he loves dancing to the music in them. Lately we've been putting Pandora on the toddler channel during the day while he's playing- and mom is cleaning. There have been some serious moves busting out over here. I keep trying to get videos of it, but he's not fond of letting me get any. 

He's also turned into a peek-a-boo machine. He covers his eyes and then says peek a boo. :) 

Jaden loves to laugh- so much that he does his fake laughing any time he hears someone else laugh. ;) He covers his mouth with his hands and does this little shrug while he laughs too. I love this boy. He keeps me very entertained!

Anyway, of course here are the pictures to be shown off. ;) 

Matt is such a fun daddy to watch. He and Jaden are good buds, and you can tell. Last night we were sitting at the table and Jaden leans over and gives Matt's arm a big squeeze. He wouldn't let go for a few minutes, and he just kept chattering away and hugging Matt. Cutest dang thing ever! It melts my heart to watch these cute boys playing together. 

Sometimes your blankie is just too good to let go of... even when you're playing outside. ;)

Jaden always stops to pick the dandelions to blow out some wishes. 

For the 4th of July, Jaden and I went to Magna to hang out with Chelsi and her family. Matt had to work, so he missed out on the fun. We went to a rodeo in West Jordan, and it was so fun! Jaden had a ball, he would start squealing and clapping every time the crowd started cheering. :) It was so hot, but Jaden did so good. He liked the horses, and cows, and especially the snow cones and other little kids in the crowd. ;)

There was a riding group called the Ehcapa (Apache spelled backwards). It was crazy to watch them ride bare back, and then do jumps bareback too! I feel like the twins would love that. :)

I finally got the OK from Matt to cut Jaden's hair. We've been letting him sport a mullet for a while now, and it's cute... but started looking scraggly. So. We finally broke down and bought a clippers set, and I got brave and tried it.
I had to take a million pictures trying to get a re creation of Matt's with his baby mullet. (Sadly I don't think any of them look like it, but at least we've got documentation. ;)
Most of the attempts to get a copy of Matt's picture just turned into bloopers. So of course I had to post all of them. You're welcome.

This face. Hahaha. It's like "Oh my gosh mom... when are you actually going to do the dishes?"

Guys... haha

I couldn't help it- I had to stop half way through cutting Jaden's hair so I could get a more dramatic shot of his mullet. ;)

Playing peek-a-boo is our new favorite game.