Carrot Top {and Bottom}

Caleb loves carrots. Even though he gets a lot of his lunch on his face, a lot makes it down to his tummy too. It's so fun to feed them new foods, see their expressions as they experience the joy of food, and give them the experience of feeding themselves. It's all pretty magical, until you have to change a fruit or vegetable inspired diaper. Seriously.

Angel...Halo and All

In an attempt to wash his own hair, Carter somehow created a halo of bubbles on his head. It is quite fitting, since he is a sweet little angel and all. I think the clenched-jaw-wild-eyes picture below is more his style. But, the halo is a nice touch!

Carter's Face Says It All

I snapped this picture of Carter on our way home from Utah last Saturday afternoon...he was beat! But, I think he looks like I feel.

Christian has been working in SLC all week, which has made for some very busy days. Besides teaching at the rec, getting my regular workouts in, running kids from here to there, changing diapers, snuggling kids, and attempting to make dinners (do pigs in a blanket count?). I finished a 30 page Educational Law final, a 4 page position paper, read 150+ pages in two different textbooks, put the finishing touches on my e-portfolio, and sent my instructors some final wrap-up/kiss-up emails. Hopefully there are some double A's in my future!

If I finish all of my school work today I am going to reward myself by starting a couple sewing projects, and cleaning my house. You know it's bad when cleaning is a relief!

MS Walk 2010

Here she is folks, the reason that we walk! We walk, because she can walk...That's no small miracle.

Thank you so much to all of our generous donors this year!

Team Tootsie Roll completed another successful MS walk. The following posts, pictures, and commentary are dedicated to our experiences this year.

Over 4,000 participants. It was a sight to behold--this is just the half of the crowd that I could snap with my camera, the sea of orange balloons was overwhelming.

MS really does suck! It's horribly arbitrary and unfair disease.

Bethany and Cali modelling our Tootsie Roll necklaces.

My baby sister Dory. She drove 6+ hours from Cedar City to be with us bright and early on Saturday morning.

Cali loved holding the signs. Although she was a little confused about why we were walking for Grandma Gwennie AGAIN. She thought that by walking last year, we had cured her. She can read, and she took the slogan, "walk for a cure" quite literally.

Carter and Grandpa Neal had a fine time cuddling. Well, actually Carter was terrified of all the dogs, so Grandpa Neal got a lot of holding time. Due to the dog situation, Carter opted out of walking and stayed at the Gateway to keep Christian (and his bummed knee) company.

This handsome man made it the whole 3 mile walk. However, there was a little problem just as the walk began. Caleb filled his pants and the entire stroller with the largest quantity of baby poop I have EVER seen. It was really pretty impressive. Luckily I had a change of clothes, because Christian threw the ones he was wearing away...yes, it was that bad...yes, people stopped and stared as I tried to clean him up.

My brothers, one from my mother (Brandt) and one from another mother (Tyler).

Bethany and her nice fund raising friend Julia.

My dad taking a picture of getting his picture taken. I gave Dory my camera for several minutes while I caught up with some Utah friends that were there walking with their family and team. I told her to take a few pictures...

I found this nice little picture of my parents frenching.

My sister in law Melissa, and her husband Devin. They are always up for an adventure, and are more than willing to support our cause!

Me and Brandt. This is the picture we are going to send when we apply to be on The Amazing Race. Don't laugh...We are both full of adventure, we are positive that we would win for sure!

MS, still sucking!

I love this picture of Cali walking for her grandma, she was so proud and excited that she made it the whole way without being carried (OK only a little, but not for miles like last year). She loved holding her balloon and chatting with people along the way.

Devin, Dad, and Mom getting their walk on. My mom pushed Caleb the whole way!

Trying to get Tyler in a picture...Easier said than done. I think he finished the walk a full half hour before I did. He really took off!

Julia, Cali, and Bethany. We enjoyed the most beautiful weather!

Walking with MS is a huge miracle. Not many can do both, my mom can!

My two mom's Vicki and Gwen, chatting it up as they walked along.

Me and Dory.

More walking. Dory, Bethany, and mom. Did I mention the weather couldn't have been better?

My dad taught Cali a few coin tricks as they walked. The same tricks he showed us as kids...They NEVER get old, and they are still hard to figure out! Non-poopy Caleb enjoying his ride...sound asleep.

We finished, and we have a medal to prove it!

Me, Bethany, and mom. It was a great day and a great walk.

Carter and Bethany. Carter held down the Gateway while we were gone, his dad even bought him a cool Woody hat. He nearly wore it to church the next day, and is still wearing it.

My father in law, Carl and brother Brandt, deep in conversation and thought.

Happy Birthday Gimp and Gimpier

I call these two handsome birthday boys gimp and gimpier because they both underwent surgery just a week a part. Christian's knee surgery was scheduled a month in advance and during his farewell (for 6-8 weeks) basketball game, Carson ruptured his Achilles tendon. These two have probably used up all the ice in the greater Rock Springs area. Thankfully they are both on the mend, playing basketball is in the distant future.

For his birthday Christian received two suits courtesy of his family. Unfortunately they didn't fit, but Christian is working in SLC this week so he went to Mr. Mac for an exchange for a bigger size. Christian's mom picked up these suits during a 2 for $250.00 sale. However, Christian was informed by the kindly sales people at Mr. Mac that suits in "his size" are actually 2 for $350.00. Thus, he ended up with only one suit...and had to pay the difference. Come on Mr. Mac, it's not $100.00 worth of fabric.

The Novelty NEVER Wears Off

Carter cannot get enough of any given baby. I thought it was just Caleb, but I found out this weekend that he goes crazy for Mia too. His technique is as follows: he gets right up in their face, talks like a baby, says things like, "you're such a cute ma-toot", giggles in their ear, growls...howls..., laughs and slobbers.

Sounds pretty annoying...but, the babies love it.

Sunday's Make Us Squirrelly

Carter took these pictures of us on Sunday afternoon. I really wish Sunday was a day of rest, but after wrestling young children in church for hours, Sunday's really just make us squirrelly.

Update on Caleb's Wedding Plan

Ever since Carter brought us the wonderful phrase, "scratch his lady up" we have been saying it every chance we get. Not to mention, we're still laughing about it too. Yesterday we all started in again. I think it started with Carter. He gets right down in Caleb's face and in his best googoogaga baby voice says to Caleb, "are you going to scratch your lady up...oh yes you are". More laughter ensuses, which encorages Carter to say it more and more.

Cali, having heard enough, decided to provide us with this bit of wisdom.

Cali: Mom, I can't believe that Carter thought Caleb would scratch his lady up. I know the real reason that babies can't get married.

Me: (I'm thinking...Yes, finally some clarity on this issue! Cali, my daughter of reason and rationale, please tell us the real reason(s) babies don't get married) Oh, why?

Cali: Because who would change their diapers and who would put them in their marrying suits?

So, apparently we've still not hit the nail on the head. However, due to his potential to scratch his lady up, his inability to find a baby wife that will change his diaper, and the simple fact that he can't dress himself in his marrying suit. Caleb remains single.

You Cannot Dispute These Facts

Carter: Are you married?

Me: Yes, to your dad.

Carter: Well, Caleb can't get married yet.

Me: Nope, he's way to little to get married.

Carter: I know, if he got married he would scratch his lady up.

The Transforming Tiger's First Game

Yes, Carter's team is named the Transforming Tigers. Get a pile of 4/5 year olds together and they will think of the most ferocious thing known to man. A Transforming Tiger. It doesn't get much scarier.

Carter did a great job at his game. I'm not sure if he ever got his foot on the ball. But he ran his little heart out. He also took the tiger mascot thing a little too far and thought it was a good idea to run on all fours for a few plays. His coach told him that he needed to run on his feet. Noted.

At half time the coach asked if any of the boys had any questions. Carter raised his hand and said, "This is the best soccer game EVER!" He won over the crowd with his tiger run, cheering for his teammates, and his general enthusiasm on the field. Lots of the parents wanted to give him a high five after the game. It was pretty fun to watch.

Here's to six more weeks of hilarity!

The Lady Bug's First Soccer Game

On Saturday Cali played her first soccer game. She had a great time, and even got in on a few good kicks. She was most excited about her black and pink shin guards and matching shoes! Although she was a little disappointed that the guards had to be covered by the socks.

Anyway, she may have to work on being more aggressive, and I may have to work on NOT being so aggressive. I really don't want to be one of "those" moms that are screaming at their kid...But, I found it very easy to revert to my sport playing days.

Cali is my daughter in so many ways, and is other ways we are so different. She doesn't feel the need to competitive, it's just not really in her nature. So, my goal, during this soccer season is to help her build her confidence, skills, and abilities...without screaming at her! Can it be done? I'll let you know in six weeks.

Surgery

Last Monday Christian had his knee surgery. His mom was so nice to help us out by taking him to Laramie last Sunday night so he could have his surgery early Monday morning. Thankfully there was no damage to his ACL, so the surgery recovery time will be significantly shorter. The past week has been a blur of running up and down the stairs (me, not him), ice, movies, and texting back and forth (we opted for that method instead of ringing a bell).

He is on the road to recovery, and returned to work today...with his ice of course. It's been fun having him around, even though I don't think this week has been as fun for him. Caleb has had a wonderful time with the balloons from his co-workers, but Carter informed us tonight that he, "Does not like people who have not matching feet" (see picture below).