Eastward Ho!

The last month has been full of travel for our family. Usually we end up in Utah a bunch of times per month, and Christian is flying all over the country for one thing or another, but this time we all went east together. In preparation for my graduation from the University of Wyoming we took a couple days to work our way to Laramie and Cheyenne. 

In Laramie we were able to stop and visit with some of our favorite friends. Amanda, Milan, and Eden Scott met us at a park near their home where we let the kids run around for a while. Milan even took some time out of her preschool p.j. party to hang with her pal, Cali. 

The Scott's are on my short list for most-favorite-friends of all time. Amanda and I have had many great adventures together and more inside jokes that we can even laugh at. You know those people that just "get" your sense of humor, she is one of those for me. Also, I always like to mention that upon meeting her and talking to her for about .5 of an hour I called her a "skank" that's when I knew we'd be friends forever....she probably had her doubts, but I knew it!

We also went farther east than I have ever been in my life, Cheynne Wyoming. We stayed at the Little America and the kids thought this real stuffed penguin was pretty cool (ha ha funny penguin joke).

Every Wyomingian should see the state capital, don't you thing? I think this trip really gave the kids a jump on their Wyoming history. After all, not being a true native, they have some home study to do before fourth grade.

Caleb's experience with this trip was a little different...Jumping from bed to bed for hours was all he needed to be happy. After a while, though, not everyone was as happy as he.

Finally, they all settled in for some TV time and relaxation. I tried to get them hyped up for my graduation the following day, but they didn't really care...weird.

 

Brock's Blessing Day

My little sister as a mother is one of the best things ever. It is so fun to watch her with her baby and to observe as she discovers new things about motherhood. I also like saying, "See...now you know what I go through!" or "I told you so..." and my favorite, "Let's have this same conversation in two years...."

We were able to attend Brock's blessing the last weekend of May, it was a great day filled with family and old friends. It was also "interesting" to be back in a student ward for a few hours....Oh the memories of the University Village (circa 1999-2002).

Between the feedings (Brock via Bethany) and cryings (Caleb via not being able to run in the road), we were able to snap this family picture. It really looks like Christian is a giant among a family of midgets (ahem...little people). After 13+ years, he's used to it!

Oh look, here's my baby. Not really looking much like a baby compared to Brock, and I'm pretty sure innocent little babies don't have that crazy look in their eyes. In fact, I'm convinced that this look is reserved for giant two year-old with more energy than reason.

I might also add that my baby Brother (in all his 25 year old experience) decided to ride this very same radio flyer down a very steep hill. We all thought he was crazy and headed straight to the emergency room until we saw the skill with which he negotiated said hill, then we were all a little jealous that we lacked such skill.

MS Walk 2012

We had a very fun MS Walk this year. We didn't raise as much money as we have in years past, but were still successful in raising awareness and showing support for my mom who was diagnosed with MS nineteen years ago. Treatments and awareness and support systems have sure come along way since then. We love being a part of this event each year, and I have learned something from the amazing people at this event each year.

Cousins

 

I pile of Pollastro cousins.  At the end of April we met up with my sister in law, Nykelle and her two kids.  We haven't seen them since the end of last summer, and it was fun to see how much they've grown. 

 Cali was in heaven with her one and only girl cousin, Mia. They had a great time. Carter enjoyed the visit too, but Caleb had several mental breakdowns when Christian and I tried to hold Cade...he was not that impressed. 

I also got to spend time with Nykelle.  We took our kids to Bethany's apartment and let them go wild on the playground for a few hours before she had to go. I might also add that this woman flew from Illinois with two kids, a car seat carrier, and five pieces of luggage....alone! Brave is the understatement of the year.

I Really Wanted to Steal Him

What can I say about my adorable delicious baby nephew. After years of me pawning off my kids on her, my sister finally had a baby of her own. 

The calendar is pushing June and it seems so long ago, but from March 20th until March 23rd I got to help my sister with her first days home from the hospital. It was so nice to see a child hold still for hours and hours and hours. I was a little jealous. 

Some things I did while "helping" my sister:

1. Put my nose in Brock's mouth repeatedly to smell his breath.

2. Shoved my cheek in Brock's mouth when he was really hungry so he would "kiss" me.

3. Picked Brock up while sleeping for no apparent reason.

4. Chatted with my sister at all hours of the night while we taught Brock how to sing and dance.

5. Taught my sister how to nurse her baby with her shirt on.

All in all I thought I was pretty helpful. However, I wasn't successful in my attempt to steal him!

Eating Through a Straw

 

Eating through a straw has a two-fold mission at our house.  First, when you are missing as many teeth as Carter is, a straw is very practical. In fact, he's lost two more teeth since this picture was taken.  Second, sometimes eating through a straw is a good way to add extra nutrition to your day.

Carter likes bananas, almond milk, and ice all whipped up in the Ninja.  Every day I drink a combination of spinach, kale, berries of some sort (assorted or blue berries), 1/2 a banana, and ice.  Some days when I'm feeling adventurous I add some almond milk and cocoa powder too! 

Drinking extra fruits and vegetables is not a bad thing to do, especially when a lack of teeth makes chewing a a chore!

A Very Bunny {Funny} Morning

 

It's not very often that you get to wake up to a tiny baby bunny scratching up your window!

One morning, Cali was startled awake by the bunny gnawing on the screen to her bedroom. In true Cali fashion she ran through the house (as fast as she could) screaming (as loud as she could). Carter and Caleb were excited by the excitement and they all gathered in Cali's room to observe.

I wasn't as excited as everyone else. Number one, animals are not my "thing". Number two, be screamed from sleep, also not my "thing". After I got myself together and realized that no one was dead or dying I devised a plan to save the bunny.

Well, actually, first I called Christian to tell him about it. He was working in Utah at the time and I just really didn't want him to miss out on this crazy morning. He was already at work, and in his very practical way said, "Cammie, please don't kill a baby bunny in front of our children this morning." 

I tried to scoop it out with the shovel...no dice. Then I jumped down the window and flung it out with a bucket. Hopefully I didn't get too much human scent on it, and his mother didn't devour him. But at least I have a clear conscience knowing that I did my best to save him. I am now somewhat of a hero among my children. Several times since that day they've said, "mom, remember that day you saved that bunny?" 

Yes children, I do.

Good Thing He's Cute...

 

 If you know Caleb, you know that he rarely stops moving, and even when he does it's not for long. I found these random cell phone pictures and wanted to remember these crazy days. Lots of mothers with kids going off to college, or starting high school, or even those with kids who are more self sufficient and older than mine, give the sound advice...don't wish it away....they grow up so fast.... you'll miss this phase....

Although I am not sure if they are telling me the truth or just taking pity on me, I am trying to have the faith to realize that there won't always be tiny hands and feet all over me all the time.... and that when that time comes, I may miss it.

I was just telling my friend the other day that I felt like I hadn't sat down since 2009, she laughed, but I could tell she was grateful Caleb was mine and not hers! I am grateful too, tired...but grateful.

Easter Fun

 

Nothing says Easter quite like multi-colored eggs and stained fingers. The kids had a great time coloring eggs this year. Caleb even got in on the action and made himself some "Hulk Hands" by dipping them in the green.

Easter is always a special time of year. Our kids are getting old enough to understand the significance of the Jesus' resurrection and it is fun to see their knowledge and understanding increase.

We also spent some time doing and Easter egg hunt with our friends in their backyard. We skipped out on the big egg hunts and had a lot of fun finding lots of eggs with friends.  

Thirty Five

 

Way back on April 7th, Christian turned 35. I know, he's growing up so fast! It's funny and interesting and strange to hit these milestones that you once thought of as ancient. So far thirty five has been pretty great. Although, in the picture above it looks like it's Cali's birthday, she was more than excited to give him his gifts.

In honor of this thirty-fifth birthday and the anniversary of Star Wars I created (from a pan used in his childhood) this magnificent birthday cake. Caleb walked around all day saying, "Force! Cake!" The force was definitely with me...

I think it turned out pretty good, and tasted even better!

 Happy Birthday Christian (over a month ago)!!