Cousin Larry

Please tell me you remember the 80's sitcom hit, Perfect Strangers. Something about Balki calling Larry, "cousin Larry" all the time really makes me laugh. Although not all cousins are as funny as Larry and Balki, my kids have some pretty cute cousins.

Here's Carter and Cali holding their newest cousin, Cade Anthony Pollastro. He was born shortly after Carson and Nykelle moved to Illinois. Nykelle flew to Utah for some business and brought this cute little bundle with her. We were so excited to see him and meet him for the first time. He seems really thrilled too!

Caleb took this picture of his finger and his cousin Parker. Apparently Parker will pose for the camera regardless of the photographer's skill level or height.

This is a weird picture to go with my "cousin" themed blog post. This can only mean one thing. There is a tiny little cousin swimming around behind these very fit abs. Yes, my sissy Bethany is knocked up, we are so excited to finally have a Peacock {technically Gilson} cousin in our family.

Until we see our far away cousins again, and until my sissy delivers us a brand new cousin. This picture of Larry and Balki will keep me laughing. Maybe Bethany would consider naming her baby, Larry? It could happen...

Wild {Horse} Weekend

Last March I went to Las Vegas to hang out with my very best friend Nicole for her birthday. When my birthday came along this year, I knew we had to have a reunion...Rock Springs style.

She flew into SLC on Thursday afternoon and we quickly hit the mean streets of Salt Lake. After a stop at the biggest and best Taco Time in world history {think State St. and 800 S} and 400 lbs. of taffy from Taffy Town, we made the 2.5 hour drive to Wyoming.

The rest of our weekend was spent doing a lot of NOTHING! My kids were in Utah, hers were far behind in Vegas, and we did pretty much whatever we wanted to. And by that I mean, we totally jumped in the car and went to the store without it taking a half hour.

We hit up some of Rock Spring's finest establishments: The Rock Springs Family Recreation Center {bike/body class}, Studio J, The Brew Pub, That Yogurt Place, The Kum and Go, The lovely town of Green River and it's wonderful hills, Escape Day Spa, and of course....The White Mountain Mall.

Did I mention we squeezed a 10K race in there, well...we did! The Wild Horse 10K. We didn't see any wild horses, but we did try to run as fast as one. All in all, it was a great weekend. Las Vegas in March is the perfect break from the long cold Wyoming winters, and Rock Springs in August, is a great cool down from the heat of Vegas. I can see this being a yearly thing...

And just in case you wanted a little background/blast from the past. Here we are at the place we met, the Student Services Building at the University of Utah. So much work and so much fun! This picture was taken May 2001.

And a little more recently, the summer of 2008 when we met up at Jordan Landing for dinner and a splash in the fountain.

Some Thoughts about “Life”

I am currently enrolled in a Visual Literacy class for my master's degree. As part of my course work I am required to submit a weekly journal entry about how visual imagery has affected me during the week. Since the class is in its first week, I am sure I will have more academic based journal entries, but our professor encouraged us to start our first entry with a visual image that impacted us. Here is mine…

Cammie Pollastro

ITEC 5320-040

Visual Literacy

Journal Entry: Week 1

On August 13, 2011 around noon, my cousin Laney slipped while hiking and fell 400 feet to her death. She was 20 years old, on the verge of her adult life, full of promise and possibility, and in deep love with her boyfriend who was hiking with her at the time of her fall. As you can imagine, this event has deeply impacted our family and her friends.

I was privileged to attend her funeral a week ago today, and was humbled by the strength of her parents and siblings. It is my observation that we learn a lot about life through death. This observation had a visual representation, her funeral program

When I picked up the funeral program, this picture and the word "Life" jumped off the page at me. A beautiful smiling girl pretending to playfully ride a way-to-small scooter, this picture could be the definition of the word. If I hadn't known better, or if someone would have handed me this visual image out of context, I would assume that this image was associated with a party…not a funeral. Could someone demonstrating that much "life" be dead? Did this visual image bring a smile to my face and make me feel more comforted about the situation, or did it make me sadder that she would never ride that tiny scooter again? Did the vibrant colors remind me of her personality and make me feel happy that I had known her for 20 years, or did they mock the fact that she would never again in this life be full of color?

I studied this funeral program for at least an hour between the viewing and funeral services. I've looked at it several times this week, and I will save it {both hard copy and digitally} forever. The conclusion I've reached, or the answer to the questions posed is, yes. Yes, the image brought a smile to my face. Yes, I felt horribly sad that she would never ride that tiny scooter again. Yes, the colors reminded m of her personality and I felt happy to have known her. And, yes, the colors seemed to mock the lack of color found in death. Just a few images produced all of those emotions within me.

There are a lot of ways that we can remember people when they are gone, both those who have passed on and those who we are separated from by distance or emotion. Because of the thoughtful, careful, and possibly prayerful selection of this arrangement of visual imagery; this is how I will remember Laney.

Laney Lynn

These pictures were taken per Laney's request at Brandt's wedding reception this past June. She was relentless with the camera and captured every moment of her life in some form.

At the time, I thought it was a little irritating that she insisted on taking so many pictures. I remember her saying, "Ok, now I need one with Christian too...now, just Cammie...Where did Bethany go? We need her in this one too."

You will never regret the pictures you took, only the ones you failed to take.

"My Mom Loves Me More Than Your Mom"

On August 9th Cali {pictured about forth from the left} and I got to participate in an Activity Days Mother Daughter BBQ. It was hosted by the Activity Days leaders in our church and was very fun and delicious.

After the mothers and daughters finished eating and chatting, the leaders asked the mother's to take their daughter to a quiet spot in the the house or yard to share a heartfelt letter written by the mother. I worked really hard on my letter to Cali, complete with tender thoughts and a funny picture of us while on our trip to Seattle. After having not seen her for over a week, I felt that I had really been able to think and feel a lot about how much I love her and how I could share that love with her.

When it was time to share I looked everywhere for Cali. Mother's and daughters were sitting under shade trees sharing beautiful thoughts with each other, and I was still looking for my daughter. I asked several of the girls if they had seen her, they said she was with another girl downstairs. I ran downstairs and told her that it was time to do a special activity, she was a little bugged that her play time was over, but reluctantly came with me.

By the time we found a quiet place, sat down, opened the letter, and shared it's contents; most of the other girls were already done and were back to playing. I could see that Cali wanted to join them so I finished up, gave her a hug, and gave her the letter. As she ran off to meet up with her friends I heard another girl say to her, "My mom loves me more than your mom." To which Cali scoffed, "yeah, right..."

So maybe some of what I wrote to her and said to her did sink in!

California Dreamin' {August 5-August 8}

You may recall from a post I posted earlier this month that Cali and Carter went on a trip to California with Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Carl. They went to Stockton, CA to drop Brittany off at graduate school. Traveling across the west desert and into Nevada with two kids isn't really my idea of a good time, but grandparents have the ability to make things fun.

Cali and Carter enjoyed eating at McDonalds {I think they acquired the entire Smurf collection} and playing at the McDonalds playland, the one pictured above is in Nevada.

They also had some excitement when the UHaul they were pulling had not one, but two flat tires outside of Reno, NV. They were very helpful in flagging down some help with their dry erase marker boards.

Every time we've ever gone on vacation Cali always says that her favorite part of the trip is sleeping in a hotel. They are both very easy to please, and loved staying in all the hotels and swimming in all the pools along the way.

We all had a little adjustment period getting used to one another again. Cali and Carter soon realized that the mother is never as nice as the grandmother, and Caleb was surprised to have little people all up in is business again after his stint as an only child!

Disclaimer...

No pregnant women were induced into labor, no alcohol was involved, no bones were broken, no one peed their pants {too much} during the taking of these pictures.

The Jenson's Visit the Country

Last week my friend Nikki and her kids made the road trip from SLC to visit us in Rock Springs. We showed them how cool Rock Springs is by taking them to the museum, the splash park, century park, and eating Dickey's BBQ.

She and I spent many hours catching up, chatting, laughing, and Zumba-ing. Our kids spent many hours playing and entertaining themselves outside in the "desert".

This is as close as Nikki would get to grabbing onto these nipples, it still makes a pretty funny picture.

Kai and Kaila are the same ages and Cali and Carter. Cali had a great time painting nails with Kaila and Carter loved taking turns with Kai and his DS.

Our post Zumba workout pictures!

Rap Meets Handicraft

I saw this on my friend Tatum's Pinterest board, and couldn't help posting it. I really don't think DMX ever envisioned that his rap lyrics would end up as a cross stitch project. But alas, they have, and I LOVE it! Plus, it's true...and hilarious!

Just the Two of Us

Last Sunday night when Christian left to work in Utah, he took Cali and Carter with him. Christian did his work thing all week while Cali and Carter spent time in Castle Dale with my parents, and in Price with Christian's parents. Christian came home from working in Utah, but Cali and Carter continued their adventure to California with Christian's parents who are moving his sister to Stockton to attend graduate school.

Needless to say, I've had a lot of Caleb time. The first day was a little rough, with no Cali and Carter to entertain him, Caleb was a little lost. Around day three we settled into our new routine, just the two of us.

I would like to dedicate this blog post/song to my youngest, and temporary only child Caleb, as only Dr. Evil and Mini Me can! Click the link.
Just the Two of Us

Just a Really Great Saturday

It started off with a fun 5K race through beautiful Rock Springs, Wyoming. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but coming off a 4 day battle with strep throat really kicked my trash. At one point a 12 year old boy passed me, and I was glad because his shoes were too big and they were making a very annoying noise as they hit the pavement...that's how great my race went!

The greatest part was getting to hang out and run with these friends, Renee and Amanda. Above is our before-the-race picture. Below is the after-the-race picture. I love a smiling red face!

While we were racing, Cali tended Amanda's two girls. Granted, they were at our house, and Christian was home; but Cali really wanted a chance to prove her babysitting skills. Turns out, she's a pretty great babysitter. Give her another year or two, and I think she will officially be on the market! Amanda took her with her girls to the parade, she felt so grown up and special.

After the running/parade/showering/napping section of our day we took a quick trip to Salt Lake. My friend Roz, her husband Jake and their two kids, Cade and Daphne were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. It was such a great experience and I feel so honored that she would share this experience with us. Christian and I hung around to talk with her after the ceremony, but forgot to snap some pictures. You'll have to take my word for it, words can't describe the happiness and peace of this event.

Of course, like a true sister-friend Bethany tended my kids while Christian and I were in the temple. She engaged my kids in full blown cinnamon roll making from scratch. She has a lot of ambition and Job like patience. I was grateful, because with all the running, and driving, and emotional joyful crying, I was pretty hungry!

So... We went off to Red Robin to eat some dinner before we headed home. There we met Christian's sister Brittany who is leaving this weekend for grad school in California. We would have liked to chat with her more, but Christian and I have to take turns wrestling Caleb in public places. So we each got to talk to her in shifts.

We finished off our night by taking this picture before we went our separate ways. I think it's a Pollastro family classic. Here's my take on what's going on in this picture:
Christian: Handsome and easy-going {like usual}

Brittany: Model quality hair and smile {like usual}

Cali: Vamping for the camera in a semi-gangta' pose {like usual}

Carter: Holding his prized Luigi that he won on the first try from the claw machine at the
restaurant {not usual}

Caleb: Picking his nose {like usual}

Cammie: Awkwardly trying to look cool {like usual}

*There is a possibility that I will have pictures of Roz and her cute family; and my kids and their cinnamon rolls in the near future.

What Do You Think?

A smaller cowboy, or a bigger hat?

Bella Ballerina and Birthday Loot

Cali finished her birthday/baptism weekend with a whole bunch of presents from family and friends. Here are a few of the cute outfits she got from the Pollastro's, and some of the games and books. Christian and I gave her the stylin' Bella Ballerina Sketchers that she's sporting on her feet. They are the cutest shoes, but the real draw is that they have a rotating ball on the the ball of the foot. So at any given moment you can raise up on the ball of your foot and spin like a ballerina....Pretty clever, those people at Sketchers are always thinking.

Promptly after opening the shoes and trying them on she had to try them out on a hard surface. She ran upstairs to get her Bella Ballerina on, and mid-spin she totally biffed it. She twirled and spazzed in such a way that her finger got caught under the fridge...Yes, you read that right, her finger got caught under the fridge. How? You ask. That is a question that I can't answer, but I am thinking that giving a slightly uncoordinated child shoes that require a lot of balance may not have been my best idea ever. If nothing else the are very cute shoes!