Back at it

I'm home and getting back into our family groove. Our "groove" really wasn't disrupted much at all. Mark had it all under control. I had no doubt that would be the case but it would have been nice to have felt a little missed. Yes, Cooper was counting down how many more "sleeps" until I returned home but I really did get the impression that things were going on just peachy without me. This is the only picture Mark sent me while I was gone..............



Yep, it looks like a normal day at casa de coop 'n cruz.

I can now tuck another notch on my Film Festival belt. All went well and I have more crazy stories to file away. What a different life! I have quite a few celebrity sighting (blah, blah, blah, blah) stories but only two that had me quite twitter-pated;

1) I was able to chat it up with Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band and watch his entire family (including 4 adorable little girls ----even a 2 yr old!---learn to ski). He was my kind of Dude. I loved that he was wearing Carhartts to ski at snobby Deer Valley. I even asked if I could take a pic with him to send to "my husband who is a huge fan" (I totally threw Mark under the bus). I'd share the pic but he looks great and I look like a crazy old stalker lady with a crazy stalker grin. Very creepy.

2) I got to discuss the latest season of Dexter (and it's surprise twist) with Edward James Olmos! Yes, I'm a dork. I was more excited about my EJO sighting then I was about sitting near Robert Redford (aka "Bob") a few years ago.

Best of all, I got to work with great friends and see all my buddies who help us make the magic happen at the hotel, ski shop and all over the mountain. They are by far my favorite "celebrities" and the reason I come back year after year. I love being the "hired help" with them. Most of all, I love the camaraderie and relationships we've built over the years.

When it's all said and done, I'm glad the festival is only 10 days long because when it's over, I'm oh so glad it's over. And it was soooooooooo incredibly awesome to be greeted by hugs and contagious giggles when I came home. It was validation that maybe I was missed just a little bit and I truly have made the best career choice as SAHM.

Deserter

(Not really because I'm coming back! I promise!)

'Tis the season where I ditch my family and head for the hills! Well, that's a little dramatic don't you think? Actually, I'm leaving tonight to work The Sundance Film Festival. Unlike last year, the family isn't coming with me this time. I'm on my own. Mark is taking time off work and gets to experience our daily routine for 12 days.

Coop, Cruz and I tried to show him some of our hangouts over the past several days. We took him to the Indoor Gym where we have discovered a playgroup and showed him the ropes at the library for story time. I even gave some of the Moms I've met at said places a heads up that if they see a scruffy bearded, shaggy haired Man with my kids to make sure to give him a hard time. Not really, a few of the Moms I have met already know to be on the look out for Mark and the kiddos and said they would make sure they made him feel welcome.

I can't wait to hear how everything goes. I'm anxious for the change of pace but am honestly going to miss their guts! Until then, I'll be on the red carpet. Watch for me on E!

Oh, one more thing....if I didn't feel guilty enough, both boys woke up this morning congested with scratchy voices. Oh Mark, you are a good man!

Elmo

Elmo has his 4,367,227,742th fan! I'm not even sure how it happened. Coop started a fondness towards Pablo at about this age so it's no suprise. The only difference is that Cooper started his attachment based on the influence of books and watching TV. He didn't have an older brother that monopolized his television viewership.

This is proof of the magical powers of marketing and advertising. We do have plenty of Elmo books, a few Elmo toys and he's plastered all over his Pampers but I had no idea how much influence they really had on our little boy's precious little brain. If I were to say that he LOVES Elmo, that would be an understatement. I think it's adorable and love how excited he is when he sees anything Elmo (which just so happens to be added to his growing vocabulary). He still rarely says "mama" but he's got "Elmo!!!!" down.

Ever since we discovered this new obsession, Cooper has graciously allowed us to watch Sesame Street every once in awhile and Cruz now has a little friend to snuggle with.

Snuggle Time.

Hand-me-down slippers.

Look at this face when he discovers who's on his shirt!

And then the craziness ensues!





He really does go into Elmo freak mode.




Here he is going into his WearingMyElmoSlippers Pre-funk dance.


From there, it's pretty much a blur.......

Go Elmo! Go Elmo! Go-GO, Go Elmo!

Welcome to the family, Elmo. Our Casa (de coop'n cruz) es su casa!

Hike

Phew, it is exhausting trying to catch up on the blog. I close out this marathon holiday recap with a mention of our first hike of 2012. We went to Snow Canyon and explored "Moqui (Moki) Mountain". Cooper was excited to show Dad the Moki Marbles and hiked the whole way all by himself.

Family Photo

After our hike, we met Grandpa and Grandma and took Grandpa out to lunch to celebrate his birthday. We wanted to celebrate with him in person since we knew we'd be back home on his actual birthday (January 16th). Happy early birthday Grandpa Pat!

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.