Looking Back

This picture was taken Memorial Day weekend 2005. I was pregnant with Carter and my brother Brandt was just getting ready to go on a mission. He was scheduled to leave October 22, 2005. I was scheduled to give birth to baby Carter on November 13, 2005. I told my mom that if she wanted a family picture before he left, we better do it before I was too huge to fit in the picture. So, we all got together this weekend. I had also wanted to do a four generation picture with my Grandma Cook, mom, me, and Cali. We thought about doing it at Jayna's wedding {August 2003} but Cali was only 12 days old, and I was somewhere between puffy and adjusting. So we opted to wait until she was a little older. Memorial Day weekend 2005 proved to be the perfect time. We were having our pictures taken in Mt. Pleasant, and my grandma lived in Fountain Green, so the trip was a short one for her. That was important because it was hard to leave or bring my grandpa long distances, he was suffering from Parkinson's disease. I think the photographer snapped a few shots before Cali went crazy, and I bought this one print of this one shot.

The picture hangs in Cali's room to remind her where she came from. The legacy is obviously much longer, but she knows each person in this picture, so it's personal for her. Never in a million years would I have anticipated the events of the next three years. Less than a year from the time this picture was taken my cousin Thomas died {March 2006} , followed by my Grandpa Cook six months later {October 2006}. And a year ago today grandma passed away. For me, looking back is sad and sweet.

HSM3 Cali and Carter Style

As you know we are in love with High School Musical at our house. Cali and Carter have spent countless hours reenacting nearly every scene. Last night Bethany made this hilarious Jib Jab for us, if you've seen HSM3, you have to watch this short clip. I'm still laughing, and my kids think that they are famous. Thanks Bethany!

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I'm A Fan

While we were in college Christian and I would stock up on KFC during finals week and eat our stress away. It was a wonderful delicious memory, and a marvelous family tradition. However, as I've gotten older {and wiser} and my metabolism slowly slowed I have been unable to eat my weight in KFC. So, you can imagine my elation when KFC invented Kentucky GRILLED Chicken. I'm sure it's still not the best meal on the planet, but a good alternative the greasy goodness. Christian picked up a bucket {actually half fried half grilled} on Friday night, and we enjoyed it all weekend!

Raptor vs. T Rex

The little one is the Raptor and the big one is the T Rex.

Lunch With Cali

Cali has been begging me for weeks and weeks to come to school and eat lunch with her. She told me that "everyone's mom comes to lunch" so I gave into the "everyone else is doing it" taunt and joined her for a delicious lunch...school style.

I was really unaware that you can just show up at lunch time and eat with your child. Back in the good old days {1985-1990 Go Castle Dale Cougars!} lunch with parents and grandparents were reserved for one special day each year.

I didn't have my camera with me, but thank goodness for trusty cell phones. Carter was in kid and school heaven, he made several friends and punched several others.....We really have to work on that. He walked right up to one kid and said, "Are you mean to my sister? I'll kick you in the butt!" Then he punched the kid in the arm. The kid he punched is actually a very nice young man and has never been mean to Cali. What's better than an over protective and aggressive brother? I really don't know...


Doubles stuffed cheese pizza, carrots, peaches, cucumbers, and chocolate milk for two...$5.85

Lunch with your child and anyone else who wants to jump into the picture...priceless!

Flashback Friday {Random Sample Edition}

I've been a little lazy with the blogging this week. I actually thought of several very funny and blog worthy experiences that happened this week, but never got around to posting. So, it's already Friday and time for a flashback. Today I picked five picture folders and selected the fifth picture, it doesn't get more random than that! Enjoy!


Cali's first Christmas December 2003, of course 90% of the gifts picture were for her!

Cali washing her wagon on our driveway in Herriman Summer 2005. We picked that M&M shirt up for her in Las Vegas at M&M World, she loved it and wore it for years.

Carter in a cool green sweat suit sitting in his bouncy seat February 2006. He was about three months old.

Carter standing in his crib looking out the window at our neighbor's dogs March 2007. He would do this every morning before I came into get him and I finally caught him. I love this picture.

Cali's 4th birthday July 2007. Cash! Just look at those eyes, classic Cali.

Let It Be Known

In the spirit of making and keeping a journal, and in the grand tradition of marking momentous occasions, let it be known that TODAY April 21, 2009 is the first day in recorded history {that is my record of history since we moved to the great state of Wyoming} in which some type of coat and/or sweater was not required in order to survive the weather. I made it to the Rec Center and on ALL of my errands around town in NOTHING....but a short sleeved shirt and Nike Capri warm ups. My son was also clothed in shorts....yes shorts...sandals and and a short sleeved shirt. We could really get used to letting our bare arms hang out!

p.s. On my errands I also saw my friend Amanda and her daughter and husband on a mid-morning walk...sporting their bare arms as well. Unless that wasn't you Amanda, and I totally mistook your whole family for a different family...as I did with your husband and that random guy in our ward....If this is the case, sorry....again.

Wires Wires Everywhere

This past weekend Christian and his friend Paul pretty much finished the electrical wiring of the basement. Cali and Carter were a little scared to play down there because of the "snakes coming out of the ceiling". Well, the "snakes" are now safely tucked away in their "homes" aka boxes, and we are hoping to have a final electrical walk through this week.

Christian and Carson were also able to finish the plumbing for the bathroom and wet bar. I think we are well on our way to having a finished basement....well there's still the insulating, sheet rocking, taping, mudding, painting, finish work, carpet....but still...we are getting closer!



Paul, Christian, and an eager little helper!

Flashback Friday {Desert Adventures Edition}

This weekend last year we spent some quality time with my parents and siblings hiking around the San Rafael Swell. I grew up only 20 minutes from some of the most hidden and spectacular sights in all of Utah {I'm not bias or anything}. This was possibly the best weekend of the year, up to that point, and one we will never forget. The weather was perfect, the sights were incredible, and the company was even better. So here's to wishing I were there today....

Too Girly?

I've been searching for the perfect fabric to make Carter a quilt for his bed. His crib bedding was baseballs and New York Yankees, and he's pretty much loved his Yankee Blankee to shreds. However, when he made the transition from the crib to the big boy bed I just threw a blue {circa 1999 my old college} bed spread on his bed and called it good. Shortly after this transition we moved, so I didn't want to tear into a big project. Now we are settled and I'm ready to get to work. I hope to re-do Cali's bedding too, but for now I have to focus on the task at hand.

Last weekend Vicki and I scoured the Wasatch Front for fabric. I finally found these coordinating pieces which I thought were just perfect for a growing boy. Not too babyish, but still playful enough for a growing boy...something that could grown with him through the next few years.

Imagine my disappointment when Christian declared this fabric to be too "girly". I really don't think there's a girly thing about it, and I am proceeding as planned. What do you think? Too girly?

A Cruel Trick of Nature

Saturday April 11, 2009

Thursday April 16, 2009

{Failed} Attempt at Easter Pictures

It's a good thing that the true meaning of Easter is more than eggs and fancy church clothes.

Oh well, there's always next year....and the next year....and, well you get the idea!

MS Walk 2009

I cannot say thank you enough for all of the support and donations we received for the MS Walk. With your help and generosity Team Tootsie Roll was able to raise $2060.00. We doubled our original goal and exceeded our final goal. Many people and families will be blessed by your donations.

The walk itself was so fun. Bethany, Tyler and I got there early to set our our table and wait for our faithful team members. We gave out Tootsie Rolls, ate breakfast, and mingled around. As our team arrived we helped them get registered and get their Tootsie Roll necklaces on {these were handcrafted by me, Bethany and Cali}. It was so fun to catch up with family and friends we don't get to see very often.

After a short speech by some radio DJ's {I think the FM100 stars} and a brief sighting of the "TV Mormon" i.e. the Mormon actor and the Thermwise guy for the Questar Commercials, we were ready to make our 3 mile journey. It was amazing to see all the orange balloons floating down the road. There were participants with canes and in wheel chairs. We are very blessed that our mother was able to walk unassisted.

At the half way mark we stopped at a park for some snacks and water, but quickly moved on. It was at this point that Cali decided that she was tired of walking {although she walked 4 miles for a school walk-a-thon} and need to be carried. So I packed her piggy back style for the second half of the walk.

At the finish line there were volunteers who gave out medals, and people suffering from MS who couldn't walk at all were at the very end thanking each participant. It was a wonderful experience and one that I will never forget. I took about a million pictures and compiled them into the collage above. For a closer look, you can click on the collage to enlarge the pictures.

I also wanted to say thank you to our Team Tootsie Roll members!

Bethany Gilson
Tyler Gilson
Cammie Pollastro
Christian Pollastro
Cali Pollastro
Jayna Miller
Mike Miller
Brandt Peacock
Dory Peacock
Gwen Peacock
Neal Peacock
Bethany Gail Peacock
Jaxon Peacock
Nikki Cook
Roz Jensen
Jake Jensen
Cade Jensen
Vicki Pollastro
Melissa Esplin
Devin Esplin

And thank you to our honorary team members...aka the people who watched the younger kids, and the younger kids.

Carl Pollastro
Carter Pollastro
Parker Eplin
Cody Peacock
Jaycee Peacock
Javon Peacock
Jentz Peacock

Party with the Pollastro's

On Friday night we had dinner with the Pollastro's to celebrate Christian's and Carson's birthdays. We ate at the Blue Iguana, the food was great and the company was even better.

Here Carson is romantically feeding his older brother the cherry from their desert.

Cali patiently waited for her food by making up a dance, complete with weird eye movements.


Carter entertained us with his "chip trip". That is he can break a chip in half and eat one of the halves....real talent!

Old Friends

As part of our Spring Break 09 adventures we stopped by our old neighborhood to visit some of our favorite friends. Cali had so much fun playing with Calee and Madisen. Carter was happy that Jordan and Tanner were there to entertain him too. Seeing our old house was a little hard, but I pulled through. Carter didn't miss a beat and took off across the street to swing at the Hathaway's. Cali and the girls played for hours and I was even suckered into buying a $1.00 necklace hand crafted by Calee. Some things never change, this girl used to charge me .10 to give Cali singing and cartwheel lessons, she's very enterprising. Madisen was as cute as ever and wanted to wear Cali's glasses most of the time. It was so fun, and we hope to see you all again soon. We miss you guys!

Spring Break 09

We just finished up a wonderful Spring Break. Cali had a whole week off, and we found many ways to fill the time.

Monday: Head to the Rec Center for a work out and to play in the play land.

Tuesday: Make dad a magnificent birthday cake and celebrate his birthday!

Wednesday: Head to the big city of Salt Lake City...and the smaller city of Herriman to visit friends!

Thursday: Visit Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Carl at his ultra deluxe downtown apartment {complete with swimming pool}, and shop all over the Wasatch Front!

Friday: Finish up shopping and welcome Melissa, Devin, Parker, dad, Carson, Nykelle, and Brittany to the party. Visit Jay for a new cut and color. Have a fun family dinner to celebrate April birthdays!

Saturday: Wake up in a giant king sized bed at the Embassy Suites. Head off to the MS Walk while Christian and the kids enjoy a custom cooked breakfast. Finish off the day with a good old 3 mile walk for the MS Walk, head back to the plains of Wyoming.

I think we need a vacation from our vacation!

The Big 32

On April 7th we celebrated Christian's 32 birthday. Woohoo! If you know Christian you know that he's not much of a partier, he's not a huge fan of surprises either. However, I managed to surprise him with this magnificent cake! I'm not going to lie...I was really proud of myself. We went to dinner at Wingers then came home and scarfed this cake down. Carter kept saying, "can I get some more Yankee Stadium!" We would've opened presents...but Christian managed to already open them as they came in the mail. Did I mention his indifference toward surprises and parties? Not to worry, he's breaking in his new basketball shoes and shorts!

Happy Birthday Tatum

I have to wish my best friend Tatum a happy birthday. She turned 20-something-ish this past weekend. We survived jr. high and high school together and here we are at our ten year class reunion last summer. Here are some things I love about Tatum!

T: Totally stylin' all the time
A: Always hilarious
T: Ten years out of high school, and could pass for a high school senior {I guess we're pushing 11 years now}
U: Unmatched smile
M: Mother of the year to one Miss Paiton McCall Diva Baby Extraordinaire

I hope you had a great birthday

Flashback Friday {Happy Birthday Grandma Edition}

Today is my Grandma Cook's Birthday. She passed away last year on April 30th, and spent her last birthday in the hospital. The entire 5 1/2 week ordeal involving numerous hospitals, endless diagnosis, and medical mysteries was one of the most trying and profound experiences of my life.

I was glad to be able to spend many days and several nights with her in the hospital, and am honored to have been present as she passed on. I thought for sure I would never be able to go on without her, but somehow life goes on.

I still have to fight the compulsion to pick up the phone and call her almost weekly. I still have days where I miss her to tears. However, I think of what she would say to me {one of her famous quotes} "Cry a little...and then stop." How wise and special those words are to me. To me it means don't hold your emotions in...let them out. However, don't dwell on the sadness. Which is what I am doing!

It is also a miracle that she ever lived in the first place. She was born 81 years ago in a house in Fountain Green Utah. She was barely 2 pounds at birth and, according to rough calculations, approximately three months premature. She told me once that her mother had told her that she should've been born the end of July or the first of August. Some friends of mine recently had a premature baby and spent three months in the hospital. It was so intense to see such a tiny baby, and so miraculous to find joy in her progress. Without a hospital or incubators grandma was warmed on the door of a stove, she was unable to sit up at six months old, and the whole experience landed her mother in bed for nearly two years.

Last year at this time we were hoping for a miracle that would let her live. But, this year I am just focusing on being thankful for the miracle that she was born.

April Fools

This year Cali has been hyped up for April Fools Day. I blame Disney Channel and their, "Trickster Tips" which they play between Hannah Montana episodes. The Trickster Tips give kids ideas about how to prank their family for April Fools Day.

They suggest short sheeting your brother or sister's bed...that one's a little too advanced, plus I don't want to re-make the beds. They also suggest changing the preset stations on your parents car radio...also a little too advanced, plus we don't listen to a lot of radio {let's be honest...there really aren't that many radio stations in Rock Springs} Finally, Disney Channel suggestions that you remove the cereal from one box and place it in another. Great! A trick Cali can really get her little mitts on. In fact she was SO excited to try it, she changed out the cereal a day early!


Just when you think you are going to pour yourself a delicious bowl of Cinnamon Life....

Out comes a very colorful bowl of Captain Cuddles {aka Captain Crunch. Cali always calls it Captain Cuddles, and I think it's so funny I can't correct her}


So, Happy April Fools Day! And thank you Disney Channel!