Escalante December 2011- Picture OVERLOAD

Playing catch up sucks! But I'm determined to be caught up before I head to California next week, so here it goes...

We went to Escalante for Christmas this year and had a blast. We stayed at my Grandparents beautiful home. My Mom, Barry, Cameron and Carson met us there a few days before Christmas. My in-laws also came with us which was awesome. Christmas Day my brothers then girlfriend came down from Centerville. Cameron had a big plan to finally ask her to marry him but she had no clue. You can check out her story about the day here. It was the cutest thing and had everyone in the room crying. I'm so excited to have her as my sister. We all love her like crazy.

Our trip was a blast. I have always loved Christmas, but this Christmas was by far my favorite. I love how obsessed Jaxon is with Santa and with Jesus. (Doesn't fully understand all the meaning about Christmas but we're working on it.) He constantly wants to sing Santa songs, and Happy Birthday to Jesus. We didn't have to help him open his gifts this year or try to bribe him to open more once he started playing with one. We did however space them out a bit so they both didn't get overwhelmed. We open some on the 23rd, some on Christmas Eve and Santa gifts and stockings on Christmas. Chloe is following Jaxon's lead and is way more into Christmas than Jaxon was at her age. She is the sweetest thing and watching her face lite up with the singing, decorations and toys is wonderful. It was a Christmas filled with family, too much food, four-wheel rides through the snow, swinging on the big swing, snowball fights, snow angels, stories by the fire, games every night, the tie game, white elephant game, diamonds :) , more family, love notes and engagements, chasing the 'Santa train', off roading in the snow with Jaxon driving, scenic drives, late night movies and  LOVE.
Here are some pictures to prove it:

Santa Train. One of the guys in town hooked up a bunch of trailers and covered it (and trees) and lights and drives around town every night. There's no set time or set route, so we had fun chasing it all over and trying to all get out of the car to get some pictures.  

Jaxon loved it!

Chloe wouldn't take her eyes off of it.

Cammy, Jaxon, Grandma Michelle and Carson watching the train.

Chloe with her Bampa Barry.

They love each other.

Love Cameron's face here.

The girls.

She loves her uncle Cammy

My little elf

'More presents!'

My favorite time of each day, Game Time!

Rose, Grandma, George and Karen. Tie Game!

Grandpa is a pro at the Tie Game. (I take after him I guess)

Grandma trying to help George with his Tie

Mom, Carson, Darrel, Rose and Grandma

My cuddle bug

I love everyone's expressions. This game is so fun!

Chloe wanted to play too.

Chloe LOVED the reindeer! She kept running to it with this same expression on her face. ADORABLE!

Both babes were obsessed with Grandma Roundy's snow globe.

Grandma & Grandpa Alvey sent the kiddos a play house for Christmas. Wish  they could've been with us!

They kids LOVED it and wanted to stay in it all day.

Jaxon watching Chloe inside. Making sure she's not playing with his toys.

Just having a little snack.

Ready to play in the snow!

Boo-yah.

Love Jaxon's face here. 

My little man.

Snow angel. Jaxon style/

Now Dad's turn.

Sledding! Me, Carson & Jaxon

Jaxon loved it, and wore us all out pulling him around.

Isn't the property beautiful? I love it here. 

Carson and Jaxon sledding and Scotty rolling down after them.

 

Swing Time.

Now for the 'real fun'

Seriously, we couldn't have spent Christmas in a more beautiful place. 

View of the property from the 'bottomlands'.

Grandpa taking Hadley for a ride.

Carson & Hadley. Cameron slept the majority of the day on the 26th. He hadn't slept for days because he was so anxious about asking Hadley to marry him. So we showed Hadley around while Cameron rested up.

Gorgeous views.

Sisters.

He loves uncle Carson!

Jaxon showing me how it was done. We were in a field in about 15 inches of snow. Everyone else thought I was crazy for letting him drive. But I trust our car Jaxon. He had a blast and wouldn't let me touch the wheel!

 

Sweet Chloe loving all the attention she was getting.

We had such a good time and were so sad to go. My Grandparents are trying to sell their house, which makes us all sad. (It's too big and with sooooo much property it's just too much upkeep for them) So we were grateful to spend Christmas there before we no longer can. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!