A Fond Farewell

When we moved to Rock Springs in December 2008, Christian's younger brother Carson and his wife Nykelle were already living here. They moved to Rock Springs in May of 2008 after Carson graduated from college, and had just moved into to a new house they built in Green River by the time we arrived. Carson helped Christian with the construction and completion of our basement, and Christian helped Carson with his yard and deck building projects. We saw them occasionally, and mostly at family functions, but we didn't make the 20 mile treck to Green River very often.

Last October they sold their home and moved to a town house in Rock Springs. They were in our ward, and Nykelle started working out at the rec center with me. We had a great time together.

As children, your parents make sure that you get along with your siblings....believe me, I do it to my kids all the time. However, as adults, your interactions with your siblings are what you make of them. I've learned some very important lessons and truths as I, as the oldest of five {Christian is too}, have seen my childhood sibling relationships develop into adult life-long friendships.

On May 4th Carson, {a very pregnant} Nykelle, and their cute little daughter Mia moved to Illinois. It was hard to see them go, but I am glad we had the last few months together to get to know them better and spend time with them. My kids are going to miss Mia a lot. I think Mia will be missing them too.

We put Caleb and Mia on the couch together to take a few pictures and the both rolled over for a big fat kiss. I'm glad I had my camera ready, because I couldn't have made them pose any better if I had tried.

These two little friends are only six months apart. Mia was born in May 2009 and Caleb in November 2009. Of all the Pollastro cousins, these two are the closest in age, so it's been fun to watch them grown together.

Here's a funny picture I found of the two of them from February 2010 Mia was 9 months old and crawling around, Caleb was three months old and kind of looking like a 9 month old.

June 10th, 2011

This is a day that deserves it's own blog! My cute little brother got married to his long-time love, Alexis. It's been years and years and years in the making, and we couldn't be happier. There are a million more pictures, and just as many adventures to share, but for now... Here's a little sneak peak!

The Best Day{s} of the Year

I was talking with a group of friends one day about our kids being out of school soon, and things that we were planning to do this summer. One of the friends told me that she feels an equal amount of excitement toward the first day of school as she does for the last. I think she summed it up pretty nicely.

Cali's school counts down the last 26 days of the school year by having a theme that incorporates a cooresponding letter of the alphabet. Around day "M" I was ready for the school year to be over. School was officially over on June 2nd, since that day I have been the referee of many fights as the kids get used to being on each other's turfs once again.

We are excited for the summer adventures, we've already had quite a few, but I know that the first day of school will be just as exciting for all of us as the last!

Early Morning P.E. Program

During the last quarter of the school year Cali has been participating in the Early Morning PE Program. The teacher sent a note home asking the parents to evaluate whether or not their child could benefit from some additional physical exercise. What kid can't! I filled out the form and she was selected to particpate. For the last few months she's been going to school on Wednesday mornings 1/2 hour early to {in her words} "do her workout".

On Thursday night all of the parents got to come and see what physical skills the kids had been working on. There were parachutes, jump ropes, hula hoops, scoop-ball-thrower-things, a climbing wall, and all the free water a kid could drink!

Cali bowed out a few minutes early to goof off in the bathroom with a friend. Seriously. I could have screamed. But, Carter and I had a wonderful time exploring the world of elementary PE. I've decided that an elementary PE teacher may have been the calling I missed in life. Getting paid to jump rope and hula hoop...why did no career councelor direct me to this occupation?

Cali and Carter had a fun time playing catch with the scoop-ball-thrower-things. Carter is going to save his money so that he can buy a set of his own and we can play catch all summer!

Help

As if Caleb didn't move around enough... As if he didn't already attack most small children... As if my nerves weren't frazzled enough already... He went and jumped out of his crib. Deep down I kind of knew that it was only a matter of time. After all, he can do chin ups on the oven door, turn the gas range on, push the water button on the fridge, climb on top of the table {and attempt to jump to the couch}, and climb the railing on the stairs. I must have been in denial that the crib could contain such angst.

The first escape was graceful, I didn't even hear him land. The second, was more like a thud. The third, well...I'm not sure what you would call catapulting out of bed at 3am, but I can tell you...it's not good. I looked into getting a crib tent, but I think he can gnaw through mesh and other fabric-type products.

So, in an attempt to prevent broken baby bones, Caleb now has a big boy bed. Oh, crap! Does this mean I have a big boy? This is just too much for me to deal with in one day.

A Double Carter

He is a very well rounded child. He can play dress up with the best of them, and scurry up a climbing wall.

A Preschool Graduate

Last week Carter graduated from preschool, he is officially ready for Kindergarten! Carter loved everything about preschool; the friends, the crafts, the snacks, the learning, and getting be a "helper" in his class. He was my baby for so long, it seems a little strange that he should be this old. I really don't know what I'm going to do without him next year. Who will help me? Who will entertain me? More importantly, who will entertain Caleb?

When I asked him if he could please, please, please stay home with me just one more year, he replied, "Mom, I would not be pleased if you made me stay home from Kindergarten." Then I knew, if you can use the word "pleased" correctly in a sentence, you should go to Kindergarten. I also knew that some times our kids grow faster than we do.

Here's Carter waiting for the program to start. This is one of the only non-blurry shots I got of him. I found out very early on in their program that I should have found a babysitter for Caleb. He did not like holding still or being quiet and dashed on to the stage numerous times to sit by Carter. I can see this transition is going to be hard for both of us...me and Caleb.

Carter loved performing his preschool songs. He stood up tall and spoke into the microphone on his part. He informed the audience that he wanted to be superhero when he grows up. He's already one to us!

After we got home I tried to get a few more shot of us together, but this is the best we could do. Good enough!

I wanted a cute one of him in his graduation cap, but he stuffed 1/2 of a Cowboy donut in his mouth right before the picture. A big boy on his big day with his favorite food stuffed in his mouth, I want to remember him this way! I started to tear up a little at the end of the program, but I couldn't really pin-point a reason for the tears. I couldn't tell if I was happy, sad, proud, nostalgic, or stressed out by Caleb's antics. I have also learned as a mother that sometimes the tears well up in unexpected places, for unexpected reasons.

Finally, what can I say about his most fabulous teacher. Miss Emily {or as I call her, Emily} has been not only a great teacher to Carter but a great friend to me. I know she is going to kill me when she reads this, because she would in no way want any attention drawn to her. She does great things for little people and is a champion for all the children she teaches. Carter will not find a teacher in all the world as patient with him as she has been.

She helped me be more attentive to Carter's school work when she found a moldy kiwi in his backpack from St. Patrick's Day, in April. She helped Carter channel his talent as a leader into a more positive direction when he taught several kids in his class the word "douche bag" and encouraged that they chant it with him. She helped him learn social skills, found positive ways to expend his energy, and loved him everyday. We love her too and will miss her next year. She's going to need a Pollastro break for a few years, but there's still Caleb!

There's Always the Possibility

I try to look on the bright side of things. Caleb is healthy, smart, strong, and without a single ounce of inhibition.

Caleb also moves so much that at the end of the day when the backs of my knees hurt I try to remember what I would have done to induce such pain. Then I remember, oh yeah...I haven't sat down at all during the day, and the pain is from actually bending my knees to sit on the couch after he finally falls asleep. I have been told by many experienced and seasoned mothers that I should not "wish this phase of life away". To that I say, come over...spend the day with us...try it...then see what you wish for.

I am hoping that if he can learn to sit still, stop scratching, and stop pushing that someday he too can graduate from preschool. These pictures are to remind me that there is that possibility.

A Lot to Remember

I personally have a lot to remember on Memorial Day. Many people came before me to make my life possible. I try never to forget the sacrifices of my ancestors, both personally and through military service. Happy Memorial Day

Our Castle Dale Adventure

Last weekend my friend Jesika {her three kids} and I {my three kids}, piled into the Honda Pilot {love this vehicle} and took a road trip to Castle Dale. No husbands, just two women...a cooler full of snacks... six pillow pets...and a pile of kids. We left Rock Springs at 1pm on Friday and arrived in Castle Dale at 7pm. We had a few minor delays like some puke scares, playing on a playground, and driving nearly 20+ minutes in the wrong direction. It may not sound like you idea of a good time, but it was!

We went to Alexis' wedding shower on Friday night, while my dad graciously tended all six kids. The kids enjoyed a wild sleepover and we headed to the desert on Saturday morning for a day of fun and sun. The weather couldn't have been better, and it was so fun to share my homeland with my friends.

After our desert adventures we headed to Price where the kids got every-single-last-bit of their energy out at the Dino play park. We went to Christian's parents house for dinner, got cleaned up, ate delicious food, and crashed....hard! We were up bright and early Sunday morning, and without a single delay, made it back to Rock Springs in time for church. The next few post include some of the pictures from our fabulous weekend!

The Wedge and Indian Writings

In case you were wondering, the answer is no. Taking this same picture for the last 25+ years NEVER gets un-funny to me. Our first stop on our desert adventures started with a short drive to the Little Grand Canyon, or as us locals call it, "the Wedge". I'm not a huge fan of heights, especially with small children darting around on the rocks, but this is a sight you have to see if you ever visit Castle Dale.

I am still wondering why Jesika and I never got our hot pictures taken together. I think we were too busy making sure no one died. But I did get this very cute with beautiful scenery shot of our older kids. Presley and Carter {5} Kenady {8} Cali {very close to 8}.

Me, my sister Bethany and my dad. Also, dad and Cali. I sure wish I had some picture of me and my grandpa on the desert. Maybe my grandma has some slides or film from the 80's. I sure hope so.

This is where Caleb stays when there are 1000+ foot drops involved, safely watching a movie in his car seat. Can you even imagine the damage this crazy kid could do to himself? Being strapped in is definitely for his own good.

We swung by the Buckhorn Indian writing panel. The kids climbed around on the rocks while Brandt and dad made some friends from England who were there shooting footage for a t.v. pilot.

Swinging Bridge and Pancake Rocks

I love this little snap shot of all these friends holding hands. I especially like the cute little look on Presley's face as she looks at Carter. If only life were as simple as holding hands down a dirt road. Sigh...

This picture, on the other hand, is not as cute but we see a lot of this side of Cali. I feel her pain, I long butt crack can be the source of many embarrassing situations. We are constantly pulling up our pants.

Here's a more flattering shot of my girl on a beautiful pre-summer day on the desert.

This could possibly the most tame/traumatized lizard in the history of the animal kingdom. Brandt caught this lizard for Teag who was a little freaked out, but curious. After chasing, and catching, and handling, and rubbing it's tummy; this lizard had a chance for freedom but chose to hang out on Brandt's leg. Carter was startled by some sudden movements and had a nervous breakdown, but Caleb wanted that lizard. It eventually got smart and ran off into the desert, lucky lizard.

To finish off the day we ran around and climbed on the pancake rocks. The kids would still be there right now had we not forced them back into the car. As we say in Castle Dale, it was a great day on the desert!

My New Sister-To-Be

On Friday night my friend Jesika and I loaded up all our kids and headed to Castle Dale. Her husband in currently in basic training, and my husband is currently working his guts out, so I invited her on a little road trip {more on that later} that started with my brother's fiance's wedding shower.

Alexis and Brandt are getting married in just a few weeks, and her aunts threw her a kitchen shower. I'm not much for shower games, but it was fun to listen to her answer questions about Brandt {Bethany and I got pretty much every question about Brandt right, and then realized that might be a little weird} and see all the magnificent kitchen equipment she received.

Here we are; my mom, me, and Bethany. We tried to get my mom to win a memory game by taking a picture of Alexis {featured above} so we could look at all the gadgets attached to her apron and "remember" them. However, in true Gwen fashion, she was way to honest to accept a fancy prize for which she had cheated, and graciously gave the winnings to someone else.

This, my friends, is only a fraction of the things she received. The rest of her loot filled an entire truck bed. Now I know who to call for a replacement if I ever drop a Pyrex bowl on the floor.

Everyone Has a Few...

Bath tub pictures, that is!

Carter and Caleb decided to have a "swim" early one Sunday morning. For years Carter has been terrified of all water jets in all bath tubs. Caleb, on the other hand, prefers a lot of jets and go crazy for the bubbles they create.

I was a little worried when Carter wanted to jump in with him. Too much bubble bath, 400 gallons of water on the floor, and two very wrinkly/clean boys later Carter was able to overcome is tub-jet-phobia.

Just So

Just so we can look back on this picture in another 12 years and gasp and sigh about how young we were!

MS Walk 2011

I'm finally getting around to posting the pictures from the MS Walk this year. I had so many pictures, I couldn't decide which ones to share, so here's just a few of my favorites.

We had a great time for a great cause. It was our best fund raising year yet, $1678.00. I can not thank all of our wonderful friends, family, and co-workers enough for their generous support this year. We also experienced our coldest walk ever, just as the walk ended it started to snow. It occurred to me that many people without the ability to walk at all would gladly walk in the snow, if they could.

As always, the walk is as inspiring as it is humbling.

Need Some Inspiration Today?

If you do, you must check out one of my favorite blogs. My childhood friend, and fellow Castledalian, is a professional photographer/cinematographer and just moved to Hawaii to follow his dreams. He is a great writer, and provides some amazing insights on life. You should stalk him, I mean his blog.

Hawaiian Jace

Congratulations Are In Order

Things have been a little bit crazy around here, and it seems the first thing that gets neglected is my blog. It's one of my favorite things to do, but often falls very low on the to-do list. During my short blogging hiatus, a few very important things happened, so important that they deserve some congratulatory props.

1. Congratulations to my dear adorable husband Christian, after twelve years of marriage and at least 12,000 meals together, he ate a salad. This may not deserve congratulations at your house, but at ours...this is a big deal. In the entire time I've known him I have ONLY seen him eat fully cooked vegetables. This picture was taken on our 12th anniversary shortly before we had a discussion about the differences in ice burg vs. romaine lettuce. Very enlightening. {p.s. all of his salad intake MUST be covered in Caesar dressing...}

2. Congratulations to my amazing shrinking sister. This week she officially lost her first 30 lbs. Her transformation has been nothing short of inspiring and amazing. You can check her blog for her before and after pictures. Jayna's Blog. She is 1/3 of the way to her goal weight, I am so excited for her!

3. Congratulations to my little brother, Brandt. About a month ago he asked his childhood crush/high school sweetheart/mission girlfriend/heart break/best friend/lover to marry him. Their journey to this point should be a romance novel. She, of course, said yes! We are so excited for Alexis to join our family. With four very passionate and opinionated sisters, we were always a little worried for the sister-in-law, but no worries here. Alexis is a great addition to our family. {p.s. my mom taught Alexis preschool as a child too!}


4. Finally, Congratulations to me and my sissy. Over on Easter Saturday we attended a Zumba training, and are now officially Zumba certified. I am so glad that we were able to share this experience with each other. Yes, I now get paid to shake my butt!

Twelve Years Ago Today...