Portraits

On Friday night Cali and Carter were quietly drawing pictures on my bedroom floor. I was typing on the computer, paying bills, and chilling out before bath and bed time. We were having a great conversation while Christian was downstairs working on {guess what?} the basement. After about a half hour they asked if they could take their pictures downstairs to show dad. I hadn't been paying much attention to their art work, I was just enjoying their giggles while I was getting a few things done.

Cali offered to show me the picture that she drew of Carter riding his scooter. Here it is!

Carter was also very proud of this picture he drew of Piggy Honk.

Summer Comes But Once a Year

Have You Seen This Movie?

A couple weeks ago we rented Coraline. Cali and Carter had seen parts of it at the Rec Center, but had never seen the whole thing. So, when it became available at the local Red Box, we snatched it up. One Thursday night I turned it on after dinner and got ready to teach my class at the Rec Center. Christian came home from work, and I left. When I got back he said to me, "Have you seen this movie?" I told him that I hadn't, but that the kids wanted to watch it. He shook his head and told me that it was "a little too strange".

The next day we went to Utah, and the kids wanted to bring it to watch in the car. I agreed. They watched it another couple times between Rock Springs, SLC, Manti, back to SLC and finally home to Rock Springs. So, technically I still hadn't seen the movie, but I had heard it several times.

It was the following Monday that Bethany paid us a fun little visit, and after running around all morning we decided to sit down and actually watch the movie from start to finish. I kept asking Cali questions about it {remember, I'd only heard the dialog while driving}, and she told me that she couldn't explain how certain things happened...they just did.

So, we watched...I really like Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, so I new it was going to be creepy. Plus, I had seen a few scenes here and there. However, I was not ready for the truly terrifying intricacies of the plot. Bethany may or may not have had nightmares. I guess my kids were just too young to realize that this movie is really scary.

Have you seen this movie? What did you think?

Cali and Mia

Carson brought little Mia over for a few hours on Saturday night while he helped Christian hang some doors downstairs. Cali and Carter were more than thrilled. Cali was content to hold her and talk to her. Carter, on the other hand, thought he'd show his love by trying to poke her eyes out and shake her.

Although their enthusiasm for her was very cute, I sure hope the novelty wears off when they are around a new baby 24/7. Otherwise I may spend the next year making sure that our baby isn't "loved" to death!

Please...No...Not Yet

For whatever reason {insanity? fun?} Cali broke out the Christmas music this weekend...along with her snowman building kit. It's a really fun kit that my mom gave her several years ago for Christmas. It includes a scarf, hat, pipe, plastic carrot nose, and several different sizes of plastic buttons to complete the face. Since there's no snow outside {thank goodness, I've heard it can snow here in August} Carter took the liberty of dressing up as a snowman. He especially liked "smoking" the pipe.

While I was trying to stop him from "smoking" I realized that fall turns into winter...and winter brings some crazy howling winds around here. Then a near anxiety attack ensued at the thought of bundling up. So, in an attempt to stay sane we promptly put away the snowman kit and hid the Christmas music!

Rollin' In Dough

On Saturday afternoon, while Christian was painting and putting up trim in the basement, we decided to make some cinnamon rolls. We worked very hard on them, and had to work even harder to get the mounds of brown sugar off the floor...but that's half the fun, right? The rolls turned out pretty well, and the help was really fantastic!

I love Cali's "I'm a bossy sister" look. It took me years to perfect it, and she's picked it up in only a few short years. She gave Carter several instructions throughout the process. He was just happy to put his hands in sugar!

We decided to change out the raisins for white chocolate chips, it was a good choice. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and white chocolate are pretty magical together!

Let There Be Light...And Paint

{Carter's bedroom light}

It's been a while since I updated on the progress of our favorite ongoing project. Our basement!

This summer we {and by we I mean...mostly Christian} painted the whole thing. I will say, being 6'7" really has an advantage when painting a ceiling. I wish I would've taken a few pictures of him standing flat footed on the ground, rolling out the ceiling. It was great.

We just copied the light fixtures and paint colors from upstairs, so we can't take much credit for being original, but we sure do like how it turned out. Christian's friend Paul helped him finish up the wiring, along with the tying-into-the-breaker-electrical-business, and we are happy that ALL lights and plugs work fantastically!

Stay tuned for the next super duper exciting installment entitled...Trim, Closets, Doors, and Carpet. There may even be some action shots of us moving "stuff" from the garage and down into the basement. And possibly maybe even furniture...not sure on that one yet!

{Great room with bar and can lights}

{My craft room with enormous closets and lights}

Playtime

At least twice a day Cali plays Barbies and Princesses. It's not the most exciting thing to blog about, but it's her favorite thing right now. She meticulously sets up each character, sorts the pieces and accessories, organizes them into groups according to doll or story line, and then when everything is just right...she plays...for hours!

She loves bringing her bins out into the living room because it's much easier to set things up on the wood floor, and then she doesn't need to stress out about losing the tiny shoes in the carpet. It's happened before, and it's not a pretty sight. When she's done playing she sorts the accessories into zip lock bags, brushes their hair, and puts them back in their bin.

Sure, she has her phases where she likes to be entertained, but for the most part she comes up with wonderful stories and fantastical princess Barbie games all by herself. Sometimes Carter joins in with Woody and Buzz, or Cali lets him be the prince and the horses. It's really a sight to behold!

Swimming Lessons

On Friday, Cali and Carter finished up their first session of swimming lessons. They had a great time learning how to blow bubbles and dunking their heads underwater. I was a little nervous because the first day Carter clung to me and cried like a baby. Janet, the instructor, was very nice and took him with her. Later that day Carter told me that it was the, "best day of his life!"

He made it through the three week session with no more tears, and an undying love for Janet. He kissed her everyday before he got out of the pool. Cali learned a lot and is a very teachable young girl. She obeyed all of the instructions and will be swimming in no time!

The instructor gave them a goodie bag with treats and toys for doing so well!

A New Do

Cali's hair has suffered some pretty intense damage over the last year. There have been numerous up-do's, flat iron sessions, braids, buns, curls or "crumps" as Cali calls them, and most recently she fuzzed up the ends pretty good in an attempt to pull out the hair do I had done....and do one of her own. There was also the day she was cutting out a picture of a cat, and managed to get a chunk of hair in the process.

Needless to say, it needed some help. However, I wasn't ready for a short hairstyle, or for the "Hannah Montana" bangs that Cali has been requesting. Thankfully, our friend Kim was able to save some length and give her some "swooper bangs" in the front. She looks so grown up and her hair is now healthy and ready for more styling!

Here's the back. Still long, but not stringy!

I really wanted to get a good shot of the front. But instead I got these shots and the, "mom, quit taking pictures of me" look. But you get the idea! Thanks again Kim!

Our Visitor

Look at this tough chick! Here's a few pix from her recent visit.

Enjoying a lovely dinner at Pizza Hut. If you know Bethany, you know that she has a deep love of all things Pizza!

We thought it was pretty hilarious that the waitress gave her a kids menu too! She didn't mind, she's used to it!

Two for $2.00

Just a toothless update: Cali lost another bottom tooth. It happened two weekends ago during a crazy power outage. Apparently with no TV and other electronic niceties, Cali resorted to pulling out a tooth. It was so dark I had to shine my cell phone in her mouth to assess the damage.

The tooth fairy finally got her act together and managed to stop by with two crisp ones. Cali was as happy as a clam, and has since spent both dollars on some high quality stuff from the local dollar store.

On Our Way Home

On our way home from Utah we stopped at Little America for a fifty cent ice cream cone.

Oh wait, let me back up...Cali nearly peed her pants and was literally jumping around the car trying to hold on. It was very apparent that we were not going to make it all the way to Rock Springs without a major accident. She begged me to pull over on the side of the road. But, I had a hard time explaining to her that the side of I-80 in the dark is NOT the best place to take a pee.

Thankfully we were guided by the gigantic Little America signs like a beacon in the night. When the car came to a stop she jumped out and made a mad dash to the bathroom. When she was done she said, "mom I made it all the way with no pee in my pants or on the floor!" Quite the accomplishment for how long she'd held it.

We couldn't leave without getting an ice cream cone. I ate one, half of Carter's and his cone, and Cali's cone. So, all in all, it was a really successful night!

Weekend Temple Trip

Last weekend our family had the opportunity to meet at the Manti Temple {the best temple in the world}. My cousin Thomas passed away in March 2006, and since that time his family has been working toward getting his temple work completed. It was a very special day for our family and a unique opportunity. My mom was able to be in the temple with both of her brothers for the first time in 30 years.

Because school is starting soon and there is a mass rush for people to be wed before the school year begins, there was a mass rush and no parking spaces. The parking attendants had us drive around the temple in order to find a place to park. We ended up driving through a parking lot on the upper east side of the temple. We didn't park there {still no spots} but I was able to snap the above picture. I thought it was very interesting to be so close to the top of the temple, and a perspective I'd never seen before.

Other than that, I kind of slacked on the picture taking. My uncle took this one of our immediate family, but in all the emotion and rush we forgot to take any pictures at the dinner afterwards. It was a wonderful day and one we won't soon forget.

Yes, this dress is comfortable. Yes, I realize that I am quite over photographed wearing it! Yes, Cali told me that the, "light blue lines make it look like I'm ripping out of my dress."

Stop the Presses

Last Wednesday we had a busy one. We packed a lunch and met some friends at Arthur Park for food and playing. Then Cali and Carter left the park with my friend Apryl and her kids to go to movie Wednesday's at the theater. While they were at the movies, I went to the dentist...I was long overdue for a cleaning, and was slightly embarrassed.

After the movie and the dentist, I ran Cali and Carter to the rec center for their swimming lessons. After swimming we stopped at home for a tiny break, and then picked up Apryl's kids Abby and Canon to play bingo at the rec center.

On Thursday evening I found out that Abby, Canon, and Carter had made the front page of the local newspaper. There was a photographer taking pictures at bingo night, but he didn't know if they would even make the paper. Well, thanks to a slow news day and a cute picture, they made the front page. Cali and I were slightly {well, more Cali than me} sad that we were cropped from the picture. But, we survived!

Oh, yeah, and we survived that day too!

It's That Time of Year

Hair Cut Time

I have always dreamed of having a mop haired little boy. Christian, on the other hand, can't handle any amount of long hair. In fact, when his own hair looks like it might possibly touch his ears...he HAS to get it cut. Carter's hair has inherited the same fate. This is the longest his hair has been for a long time, and now it is now much shorter!

A Few Pointers

On our way home from Utah we stopped at Flaming Gorge to take a look around. We've driven from Price over the Gorge a few times before but we've never really stopped. Once we travelled over in a ridiculous snow storm on Christmas Day, and every other time it's been pretty late and dark. It is very beautiful and fun to actually see it in the daylight.

Christian took the opportunity to point a few things out to the kids. Like, for example, where Grandma Vicki jumped off a bridge into the lake on a youth trip several years ago. And, also, where the Green River comes out of the dam in the bottom of the canyon.

I pointed out the fact that kids running to the edge of a cliff {although fenced} made me throw up a little in my mouth. I would also like to point out that looking at the dam made me feel like dropping to my knees and getting as close to the ground as possible. My irrational progressively growing fear of heights deserves it's own post...maybe another day. However, I took one for the team and did my part by lagging back, acting brave, and taking a few pictures.

Check Out This Bad Boy

On Thursday afternoon I got another sneak peek at this bad boy. Here he is, doing what he does best...just cooking away in the oven. Last month I was measuring four weeks bigger than I should have. The dr. ordered another ultrasound just to check his size.

Good news, we're all just BIG! Deductive reasoning could have solved this one, but it was fun to get another look at him. He's already a little over photographed. I've had an ultrasound on April 13, April 20, June 18, August 6, and I think we'll get at least one more peek before he actually makes his debut!

And yes, Cali, he's still a boy. And no, Carter, I don't think we can really name him Piggy Honk.

Reflections

Christian had to work in Utah this week, so we decided to tag along. We left Wednesday afternoon and returned home Friday night. On Thursday morning Vicki and I took the kids for a little walk around Temple Square. The kids liked the reflection pool and the other waterfalls around the grounds. Cali liked seeing the brides getting their pictures taken all over the place, and thought is was so funny that people were getting their pictures taken while they were kissing! It is pretty funny!

I, on the other hand, feel a little strange doing touristy things in a city where I lived for over 9 years. It's just weird. Fun, but weird!

Does this Baby Make Me Look Fat?

I saw that phrase on a T-shirt, and about died laughing. I think I may order me one from www.cafepress.com. They have a ton of hilarious novelty T-shirts, none of which I would ever wear unless I was pregnant, or my judgement had been impaired by a hormone imbalance.

This has happened to me before. When I was pregnant with Cali I went to the Motherhood Maternity store in search of some non-ill fitting clothes. While there I saw a pink and white polka dot shirt, which I immediately knew I HAD to have. Then I asked myself, "is this something that I would normally wear." Answer...Hell to the No! So I have to keep my fashion and decision making skills in check whilst pregnant.

Lucky for me, as of today, I have only three months left. I think I will be able to make it through these next 90 days without any irrational shirt purchases. But don't be alarmed if you see me wearing a T-shirt that reads "Pregasaurs Rex" and a picture of a pregnant dinosaur {also at cafepress.com} . For some reason, it was ultra hilarious to me today...and I nearly bought it.

Mia's Blessing Day

On Sunday we went to Carson and Nykelle's church for Mia's baby blessing, and to their house afterward for lunch. Carson did a great job on the blessing, and Mia slept through it like a pro! She is so cute, and is finally....almost....possibly...on the brink of being chubby. She has grown so much over the past few months, and holding her reminds me that Carter is far from being a baby...which I think he is 90% of the time. Our life is going to get a lot more interesting in the next few months.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday. They are proof that some things are much easier than they look. Like taking pictures of a grandpa and four kids under the age of six. Admiration and props to all my photographer friends...How do you do it?!

Here's another semi-successful attempt. Carter {3} Cali {6} Grandpa Carl {50 something...} Mia {2.5 months} Parker {1}

Grandpa Carl with his granddaughters. Aren't they beautiful?

And here's the whole Pollastro family fiesta with the exception of every one's favorite, Dustin, who is currently on a mission in Minnesota. Dust! I hope you read this and know that we missed you and your giggly smile and laugh!
And just for record keeping sake here are the names of those pictured from left to right...

Christian holding Parker, Cammie, Brittany holding Carter, Carson, Nykelle holding Mia, Carl, Vicki, Melissa, Devin, and Cali in the front {of course!}