Haircut

Cruz got his hair did while we were in St. George. I'm sure you're saying to yourself "What hair? He's Bald!". He actually does have hair amongst the baldness. It's just really blonde and really fine. We decided it was time to de-mullet-ify (it's totally a word...or should be) the poor guy. It was getting out of control and Mark and I didn't trust our hair cutting skills as we have a horrible track record.

Cruz's face looked about like this the entire time. He sat very still and let the darling stylist have her way with him. I love this shot because you can see Mark reading to Cooper in the background. Let it be known that I wasn't in any hurry to get Cruz's hair cut but the shagginess was driving my long haired hippy husband nuts. Go figure.

Warm

Another highlight of our trip was the weather. It was warm and sunny every day. We took full advantage of it and played outside whenever we could.

Coop and his new scooter. Thanks, Santa!

A common view of Cruz these days. Running away from us. I imagine in his head he's saying, "Freedom!" just like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

Danger, Danger!

He's already wanting to do EVERYTHING his big bro does.

I stand corrected. He isn't always running away from us.

Marty

It's about time I introduced the interwebz to our dear friend Marty The Monkey (voice by, Grandpa Pat). We first met Marty on our holiday visit to Utah in 2010. Marty is quite the guy. He's funny, witty and sure to turn even the grumpiest of grumps into a happy person. Cooper LOVES Marty. He was an integral part of our family throughout our stay with my parents last year. Of all the toys my parents have in their arsenal (believe me, they have tons), Marty shines above. He is very special to us all.

My Dad and Marty are a great team. They can turn Coop's mood around just like that. And his timing is impeccable. Often, when Cooper was on the brink of having the mother of all tantrums, Marty was the only one that could turn his mood around. Marty will always have a special place in my heart and he makes me smile every time he and my Dad hit the stage.

Our first encounter, December 2010.

Hey Marty, how have you been?

Ringing in the New Year with a dear friend.

Grandparents

Several posts into my holiday recap and I haven't even mentioned the Grandparents! Shame on me as they were the main focus of our visit. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to spend time with both Grandmas and Grandpa Pat all at once. It really made our holidays special and unforgettable. In this day and age with everyone so often scattered across the country, it's rare that families can spend time together all at once. It really was the best Christmas present we could have asked for.

Of course, it wasn't far from our hearts that we were missing a very important piece of the grandparent puzzle, Grandpa Toby. He is missed, loved and thought about every day. His absence made our time together even more special and appreciated.

Santa 2011

You may recall from last year that our Santa visit wasn't all that successful. Actually that depends on who you ask because truth be told, there's nothing funnier cuter than a crying kid on Santa's lap shot. I was quite pleased with last year's result but don't tell Cooper that.

I thought for sure this year would be different (can you sense the foreshadowing?). Cooper couldn't get enough of talking about Santa, pointing out all the Santa decorations throughout the month and going down right bananas when he saw Santa in the Christmas Parade. He even had his speech down for what he was going to ask Santa for when he saw him: A scooter and a Thomas with a Snow Plow.

With all the Santa talk, I thought for sure we'd get a great photo. Jenny and I couldn't wait to take the boys to see the big guy and we decided earlier in the month that we'd wait until we were all in St. George so that the grand parents could enjoy all the fun and the boys could do it together.

When the big day arrived we prepped the boys and dressed them up in their Going to See Santa best. They were excited and all for it (or so I thought). Jenny got her shot. Two darling boys in matching sweaters soaking in all the Santa love. When it came time for our boys to sit with Santa, Cooper suddenly went blank. Santa? Who's that? I'm busy now. Can we go explore the rest of the mall? Didn't you say we needed to look for some picture frames? He wanted NOTHING to do with the man.

The picture below of Pete and Charlie was taken by yours truly. Before I noticed that "outside cameras weren't allowed on the Santa Set"......Ooooops...... I was THAT Mom that barged on set with her camera without reading the sign. I immediately put the camera away as soon as I noticed the sign. I would have to buy the Mack Daddy Photo Package if I wanted to get "my shot".

Cruz wasn't a big fan either. Before we realized that Cooper was going to completely ignore Santa, we put Cruz on Santa's lap. It didn't take long before he started crying. If I wanted "my shot" I'd have to hurry and convince Cooper to climb on board. Mind you, I'm all about crying kid shots but I'm not all about scarring them for life. I knew I had about a 20 second window before the innocent cries would turn into a future of NEVER wanting to see Santa (or anyone dressed in red) EVER again. So there we sat, Pete and Charlie happily eating their candy canes that Santa gave them and still grinning ear to ear over their experience. While Big C slips into nothing to see here mode and Little C is sitting all by his lonesome and crying on Santa's lap. One of Santa's helpers took a shot of Little C. I got half of "my shot". I politely declined while Mark rescued Cruz. I figured if we were going to have to buy the Mack Daddy Photo Package then by George (keeping it clean for the kids), I was going to have 2 miserable children in the shot. Not just one. It was a package deal.

Mark tried to console me as we walked away by joking that we could just photoshop our kids onto the "illegal" pictures I took of Jen and Ryan's kids. So that is exactly what I did.

These are for you, Mark.

Pete and Charlie

Coop 'n Cruz

Togetherness

You'd think after spending 4 days together I'd get at least one perfect picture of all 4 boys together. That was not the case. Every attempt we'd make went a little something like this...........

Take 1.

Boys, stand in front of the tree so we can get a picture of you.

Wait. Where's Charlie?

Bring in the other baby.

Take 2.

Great. Now smile and look cute.

Don't just look cute.

I need smiles!

Take 3.

Cruz, stop pulling on Charlie's ear.

Work with me here.

Say "Cheeeeeezzzzee".

Take 4.

Cruz: "Cheese?...did someone say cheese? Or was that clap?

I get the two confused all the time."

And yet another attempt at getting them together in their jammies.........

I finally just gave up.

Christmas with Cousins

Jenny, Pete and Charlie were nice enough to drive from Salt Lake to spend time with us the week before Christmas. It was so much fun. I love that the boys are getting to know each other so well. They really are great friends. We spent our time playing, laughing, wrestling with Grandpa and EATING. Oy, did we eat. It was wonderful to get to celebrate the Holidays (a little early) with them.

Gingerbread decorating eating.

Tree decorating or something like that........

Gift exchanging.