A tribute to Cali and Carter

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Family Friday! Tyler style

I know I talk about Tyler a lot but he deserves another post. Tyler is an amazing person. I honestly can't imagine my life without him. He totally motivates and inspires me. Tyler is very rugged, (his words not mine) and loves to be active and have fun adventures. He always sacrifices for me and helps me reach my goals. Last Friday Tyler sold his beloved green beast. This truck has seen many adventures and it was hard to see it go. But Tyler is always thinking about our family first and I appreciate his sacrifice. Tyler I love you!

His last ride in the green beast!

I love that Tyler smile! (It was inspired by Cali)

Tyler and Carter! I love when these two get together.

The antelope killing of 2005. This is a favorite pic of mine. (minus the dead animal)

Fire-fighting in Idaho and apparently holding large fish!

MS Walk 2009

The MS Walk was incredible! Thanks again to all of you for your donations and support. I am so grateful I was able to be a part of such an amazing event. There were over 3,000 people there and the energy was amazing.
Check out my amazing Mom. At one point in my life I couldn't imagine her walking 3 miles. Here she is today doing great and beating the odds. She is an inspiration to me everyday! Love you Mom!

Team Tootsie Roll! Thanks team members! Cammie, Christian, Cali, Tyler, Jayna, Mikey, Brandt, Dory, Mom, Dad, Nicki, Bethany, Jaxon, Melissa, Devin, Vicki, Roz, Jake, Cade!

The supportive husband!

Team Captains!

Our table

Pollastros finishing strong! At the end of the walk volunteers clapped for us and handed us our medals. There were also people with MS in wheelchairs cheering us on and thanking us for our support.

Here is just a glimpse of the orange balloons and thousands of people walking the streets. The entire experience was life changing. Thanks so much!

MS Walk Info!

For all of those on my team here is a little more info about the MS walk this weekend. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Here's the inside scoop for the 20th Anniversary of Walk MS Utah: Salt Lake City

We are just days away from Walk MS 2009 here in Salt Lake City. Preparations are well under way for a fantastic event and we're so excited for you to join us! Here is a list of some very important things you'll want to keep in mind and share with your team. A reminder email will be going out to ALL participants very soon sharing much of the same information.

EVERYONE PARTICIPATING IN THE WALK MUST PLEASE CHECK IN. No exceptions.

• Check-in, registration and breakfast begins at 8am in the Grand Hall (this is the second-level area between Taifoon and Urban Outfitters). Come early and grab some breakfast to fuel up for the Walk. The program starts at 9:45am and the Walk starts at 10am!
  
  
• Check in as a team if possible. This will help with any issues regarding prizes or splitting up team donations that haven't already been done prior to the event. Remember: Prizes are based on individual participant amounts. If you've raised as a team and need to split up who gets what, please do so prior to checking in. Call Ryan at 801-424-0112 for any questions.
  
  
• Bring your signed contribution envelope which you should have received in the mail. This form contains your waiver on one side and your fundraising amounts on the other side. Be sure to fill in what you've individually earned online, as well as any cash or checks. Each participant must fill one out who is walking and/or turning in donations. Click here to download a copy if you don't have one. This is what we use to determine your individual prize level!
  
  • $20 = Orange Balloon (don't get left out!!!)
  • $125 = 20th anniversary Walk MS T-shirt
  • $225 = MS Hat
  • $500 = MS "Hoodie" Sweatshirt
  • $1,000 = Embroidered MS "Hoodie" with your name / team name + 20th anniversary pin
  • $10,00 = Two Tickets to the Dinner of Champions and all expense paid trip to the Tour of Champions!
    
    
• You can still register at the walk for last minute additions or out-of-town visitors, but it slows down the line if you haven't already filled out your form.
  
  
• When you check in you will receive a "bib" which is your ticket to a free tasty breakfast and your pass for parking in any of the Gateway parking lots. Simply show your bib when you leave and your parking will be free. In addition, your bib provides a blank space to write in why or for whom you're walking!
  
  
• If you haven't already reserved a time for your team photo with Ryan here is the suggested schedule (NOTE: Any team that raised over $2,000 in 2008 can reserve a time. Call 801-424-0112). Please allow enough time as we will be crunched for time as it is and we'd like to include every team! (Note: Teams with "Team ____" use the second part of your team name. Team Shoe would be an "S".) Team photos will be to right of the stairs near the fountain.
  
  
  • Teams "A - D" 8:00am
  • Teams "E - H" 8:15am
  • Teams "I - L" 8:30am
  • Teams "M - P" 8:45am
  • Teams "Q - S" 9:00am
  • Teams "T - V" 9:15am
  • Teams "W - Z " 9:30am
    
    
• This is the biggest Walk MS event ever! We're expecting more than 3,000 people, so come early to check in and get a bite to eat.
  
  
• Keep an eye on the weather the night before. We will Walk RAIN or SHINE!!! (we're hoping shine, but mother nature may have other plans). Be prepared for typical Utah "spring".
  
  
• Have FUN. This is the most important part and hopefully the easiest part!
  
  
• Any questions, please call Ryan at 801-424-0112 or email ryan.romeike@nmss.org
  

Thank you so much everyone for doing such a great job in getting your team ready. We're getting closer by the minute to our goal and we can't thank you enough for each and every donation you bring in. You truly are the Movement...

RS Weekend and MS gear up!

This past weekend Tyler and I took another drive across the wild frontier of Wyoming. We had a great time watching conference, playing with the kids, and hanging out with Christian and Cammie. While we were there!Tyler and I took Carter on a quest to find wildlife and wild horses. Along the way we found this dinosaur with a saddle on it. I begged Carter to get on it with me but in his words, "Besany, that dinosaur scares me to death!"

We ate a delicious meal at wingers while Tyler and Christian went to the priesthood session of conference. Love this kid!

Cammie and Cali just waiting for dinner!

We decided to make candy necklaces for all the members of team tootsie roll. We carefully sorted out all of the loot!

Here's the finished products. I can't wait for our team to wear our beautiful creations. Who thinks Cali will be taller than me by next year! Too funny!

We definitely got a spiritual boost from conference, but when there are kids around it seems like there is one hilarious thing after another. Cali and I were trying to make up a team cheer and this is as far as we got.

Bethany: Tootsie, tootsie, tootsie roll! (and then roll your arms like a speedbag)
Cali: Tits, tits, titsie roll!!!
Christian: "Cali, please don't say that it isn't a good word to say"
Cali: Dad, Tits isn't a bad word!

Family Friday! Happy Birthday Grandma

Today is my Grandma Cook's birthday. This time last year my grandma was in the hospital and we were making many trips to visit and be with her. One day at the hospital she and I talked about how fun it would be to get out and eat some birthday cake. Unfortunately she passed away on April 30th and we were never able to celebrate. I think about my Grandma everyday. I think about the kind of woman she was, and the amazing life she led. My Grandma made people feel special about themselves. She truly left people better than she found them. The time I spent with her are some of my most cherished memories. She was fun loving, beautiful and inspired everyone she met. The staff at the hospital instantly fell in love with her, and several nurses even cried when she passed on.


Today I am celebrating the way my grandma would want me to. Every time we went to visit she fed us her amazing chocolate chip cupcakes. I made some and mailed them to all my siblings and my parents. Tonight we are going to Rock Springs and I am taking Cali and Carter some "Grandma Cupcakes" as well. I am so thankful for my Grandma. She is an inspiration to me and I am thankful for her example and for her amazing life! I love you Grandma!