Outside at Last

Finally, a sunny and warm day! Freedom at last. Coop and I were feeling a bit Cooped (ha,ha---that makes me laugh every time) up lately and were very anxious to get outside and play. So we took full advantage of the weather, brought the vehicles out of hibernation and played a little Hill Billy basketball. What's hillbilly basketball you ask? That's when Coop attempts to dribble and throw the ball and then watches Mom frantically chase the ball before it rolls down the mountain. I think he enjoys watching me frantically run a little too much.


Last summer, some of the neighbors decided to chip in to have the hill leading up to our house paved. Prior to paving the road, the hill was a mess, needed constant upkeep and pretty much only four wheel drive vehicles could even attempt to drive up it. We also decided that we'd have our driveway paved. We're so happy we did. I think Cooper enjoys the smooth driving surface as well. It just makes chasing balls and toddler drivers a little bit difficult. The last video I included shows some of that.

Hillbilly basketball begins.

Let's Roll!

Making what I hope to be the last snowman of the season.

Bow to your snowman. Yes, a pretty pathetic snowman but we didn't have much snow left to work with.

The End of our pretty paved driveway and THE HILL.....
Notice the drop off in the distance. Not a safe place for balls (or toddlers) to roll down.

Here's a video of Coop finally figuring out the pedals on his truck. He still needs to grow into it. I feel much safer with him practicing on the slow grass and weeds.

Another Video of Coop driving his car. Sorry for the poor quality video. It was taken with my phone. The quality of the video isn't really the issue here. I assure you that no Coopies were harmed in the making of this video.

Fur Factory

Fur, fur everywhere! What's a girl to do? Targhee is mulching (seriously losing his fur in clumps) and the wintry static is crazy right now. I can't keep on top of it. Luckily Kokanee isn't that bad but she still does her fair share of shedding too. I could vacuum 20 times a day AND brush Targ like crazy but the fur is never ending. Poor Coop looks like he lives in a dog house. Well, I guess he kind of does. Get used to it buddy. This is why we try to coordinate our wardrobe with Targhee friendly colors and why we can NEVER wear fleece. Yes, Cooper we're those crazy dog people and unfortunately you were born into it. Thank goodness they're good snugglers. I guess we'll keep them after all.

Check out Coop's pants! No, they aren't part of the galactic washed collection circa 1985.

That is FUR my friends.

Grrrrrrr. Furrrrrrr.

Black pants are a baaaadddd idea.

Coop doesn't seem to mind much.

Yet another Cheeeeze pose.

My Valentine(s)

Mark's burnin' up FL this week so it's just Coop and I for Valentine's Day. Mark was sweet enough to give me flowers before he left and I so appreciate it. He was feeling bad that he wouldn't be with us again this year for Heart Day so he wanted to make sure I had something before he left. Is that sweet or what?!? Poor guy, doesn't he know that every day is Valentine's day when he's around? (okay, you can stop rolling your eyes and holding back if you just threw up in your mouth a little bit). I just wanted to make the point that I totally understand that this is his busy time of year and we will have many, many, many Valentine's Days together. Plus, I get to spend the day with my other special Valentine! I'm not sure just what we'll do yet, but whatever it is, it will be special. How could a day spent with this little guy be anything but special? Thanks Mark for the beautiful flowers and thanks Coop for being my date! Once again, I must state the obvious: I am ONE LUCKY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coop stopping to smell the roses.

Yes, I admit, this is a staged photo. I had to make sure I took a pic of my beautiful gift.

What better way than to use the cute kid prop?

Chhheeeeeeeze!

Coop now feels it's necessary to say 'cheese' (sounds more like peeeeeze) and make this face when he poses for a pic.

My Cute Valentine!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends and family! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Grandpa Pat

Dear Coop,

I just wanted to let you know what an amazing man your Grandpa Pat is. In due time you will figure this out on your own and I can tell you’re already starting to get the message. I also want you to know how very important it is to share your feelings and let your loved ones know just how much they mean to you.

Words can’t express just how much your Grandpa means to me. He is my rock----always has been and always will be. But don’t let that All American Football hero exterior fool you. He is a giant teddy bear that would fly to the moon and back for you if he could (and believe me, he’d do everything in his power to find a way). He is the one I go to for advice, my role model and always the optimist. His sense of humor is unique and quirky (even corny at times) and everyone that meets him is drawn to his wit.

Your Dad possesses many of the qualities I love about your Grandpa. And this wasn’t by accident. The more I got to know your father; it became clear that I found a man that could be held in such high regard as your Grandpa. Your Grandpa set the bar extremely high and your Dad has managed to hold his own in my eyes. I feel so blessed to have such amazing men in my life and now I have you to join the clan. Your Grandpa is a true role model and I can’t wait to watch as some of his personality starts shining through you. I am an extremely lucky girl.

We received some news yesterday about your Grandpa that put a little hitch in our get along. Like any curve ball that is thrown at us, we will get through this (and beat this). It’s now our turn to be the rock for your Grandpa. His optimism and perseverance will help all of us get through this. As always, his strength and courage can power through anything.

I can’t fully explain the love I have for your Grandpa. You’ll get it more and more as your love for your Daddy continues to grow. I can’t wait for our conversation one day when you tell me that you understand just how much I love my Daddy because you love your Daddy to the moon and back too. Aren’t Daddy’s just the best!?!

Love,
Your Grandpa’s Daughter

I love this pic of your Grandpa. It's not the best pic of you as it was taken back when you didn't want to be held by ANYONE but Mommy and Daddy. Luckily, that was just a phase.

Home Sweet Cooper

After 11 days of being without the Fam, I am soooooo happy to be home. The festival was a success and I had so much fun working and spending time with dear friends. But all good things must come to an end and all good mommies must come home to their Coopies.

Mark and Coop did a fantastic job holding down the fort and Grandma Mickey was able to visit for part of the time. I was so happy that Coop was able to spend so much time with his Dad and Grandma. Mark was great about giving me updates about their day and we tried to Skype each other as much as we could. Luckily, Cooper finally decided he likes talking on the phone. For some reason, he never wants to talk on the phone when someone is actually on the other line. He’d rather talk on the phone when it’s just him so he can hear the obnoxious hang-up-the-phone-already-beep-beep-beep-beep-annoying-operator-lady-tone. Cooper decided he’d give the phone thing a try and actually talked to me which was pure heaven. He even said ‘bubbye Amy’. I questioned whether or not it was a sign that I had been gone a little too long once your kid starts calling you by your first name. He also managed to say ‘binoculars’ (thanks to Diego) and he now says ‘ta-dah’ when he (or anyone else) accomplishes just about any task. Apparently, anytime the phone rang, Coop would say 'uh-oh Mommy'.

Mark sent me many pics via email and I wanted to share some of them. They really did brighten my day and helped ease missing my little man.

Cheeeeeezzzzze!

Coop loves his 'why-why' hat

A cold day at the park.

Coop's first 'mo-man'



Coop enjoying his 'mo-man' and his warm house.




Ta-Dah!!!

I arrived home late Sunday evening and Coop and I drove Mark to the airport Monday morning. Poor kid. I hope he doesn’t start to think that Mom and Dad aren’t a package deal. I just have to keep telling myself that this busy school schedule/fire schedule won’t last forever. Coop, I promise your Mom and Dad really ARE a package deal and we really do like spending time together. Someday kiddo, someday…………………..

Beastie Boys Dance Groove

Last night we were kickin' it old school and listening to the Beastie Boys (an oldie but goodie). Cooper loves to dance and usually busts a move whenever we listen to music, but this was different. The kid just wouldn't stop, song after song, after song. Some people may not call his moves dancing. It's kind of a cross between a flopping fish that has been out of the water for a very long time and an eighty year old man in need of a hip replacement. To Cooper, it's dancing and he just can't seem to get enough when the Beastie Boys are on the mic (or mike).

Here's a video of Coop giving it all he's got. Luckily, his mellow moves allow him to dance for the long haul. Maybe that's the plan. The last couple of clips also include Coop figuring out the view finder/screen on the camera. I flipped it around so he could see what I was filming. You'll notice he's getting better at saying his name (kind of). And anytime he says 'why-why' he's referring to Fire Truck, fire hat, anything fire related. The kid loves Fire Trucks. No, we didn't force this on him because of his Dad's profession. This was all Coop.



Can you believe I'm actually going to leave this kid for 11 whole days!!!??!! Hard to believe isn't it? Tomorrow I'm off to Utah to hob knob with the celebrities at the Sundance Film Festival. Well, I won't exactly be hob knobbing since I work in the trenches (behind the scenes), but an occasional sighting and being part of all the buzz is kind of fun.

Cooper gets to hang out with his Dad and his Grandma Mickey is coming for part of the time. Have fun boys!!!! Save a dance for me when I get back.

Lazy Sunday......and shoes

Today was cold and snowy. A great day to stay inside and be lazy. Why is it that ALL parents must have a picture of their kid wearing their shoes? Because it's cute that's why. It must be some sort of rite of passage. Here are a couple of Coop's obligatory shoe poses. Pretty darn cute if I don't say so myself.

I also posted a video of the little squirt. This is mostly for Dad's (and Grandparent's) enjoyment. Enter at your own risk. It's about 4 minutes of walking in shoes and talking. Exciting to us.....maybe not so much to others :).

Enjoy Dad.............We miss you.