Where did my baby go?

07/06/05
07/06/10

Last week Jaimin turned 5. I still can't believe my baby is 5! I think from the day my kids were born I have always said I didn't want them to grow up , I just wanted them to stay just the way they are. Even though I do miss my little baby I have absolutely loved every minute of his life. He is such a joy to have around, I have called him my Prozac many times. You can't find a happier kid! He greets everyone with a huge smile that just makes your day. Anytime I come home from going anywhere he comes running and yelling mommy like he hadn't seen me in a long time. I really couldn't asked for a better kid, well I should say kids, both my boys are the best!

I guess that's one way to cool off!

Bear Lake

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Bear Lake. This is a trip we take every summer and the boys just love it. They love just being able to get on their bikes and scooters and just ride whenever they want. This year was a bit colder so we decided not to take the boat or jet skis. We still seemed to have a lot of fun. Here is a picture of Mark and the boys on Fathers Day going for a quick skate around the condo. Here are the boys and Lydia playing miniature golf.

The lake water was way too cold to swim in, luckily there is a heated pool.

Here is Jaimin showing off his muscles. He says his muscles are so big he has to walk like this.

The kids had gone outside to ride bikes and when we went to check on them this is what we found, Jones riding Lydia's bike with her on the back of it.

Jones was so excited to finally be able to play tennis with Mark.

This year we decided to try a hike that we had never been on. It was perfect for the kids, it only took about an hour and a half and was fairly easy. The hike led to this tree, I can't remember what it is called but it is one of the oldest in Utah.

For those of you who were not able to attend Travis' funeral but would like to listen to it, go to www.lindquistmortuary.com . Just do a search for Travis Roy Poll in the recorded services.

Fish Lake

A few weeks ago we went on a weekend fishing trip with some of Marks friends he grew up with in Colorado to Fish Lake. The boys had fun, it was Jaimin's first time fishing and of course he caught the most and the biggest fish (who says toy story fishing rods aren't any good?!). Jones had a lot bite the line but somehow got away as he was pulling it out of the water. Unfortunately it was a bit cold and even started snowing on the second day so they didn't get to fish as much as they wanted which was fine with me, I am just not into fishing. I am just glad that Mark and the boys have something they enjoy doing together.

Obituary

Here is an obituary for my cousin that just passed away. He was an amazing person. He will be missed terribly by many. To read his story go to the wonderings of a wanna be link at the right of my blog.

Travis Roy Poll“T”

SOUTH WEBER- Travis Roy Poll passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2010, one day before his 36th birthday, after a courageous and miracle-filled 2-1/2 year battle with esophageal cancer.

He was born on June 19, 1974, to Reed and Lana Covieo Poll. He was raised in South Weber where he had a wonderful childhood full of fun and mischief. From the time he was small he had a spark for life and a special way with people, which made others want to be around him. If you knew T at all you were a friend, and if you were a friend, you were his “best friend.” He had a special way of making everyone he came in contact with feel accepted, loved, and important.

Travis was a gifted and natural athlete and a fierce competitor. From the time he was young he loved many sports and participated whenever he could (and usually won), even throughout his cancer treatment.

He graduated from Clearfield High School in 1992, where he was a class officer and played on the baseball and basketball teams. After high school he served an LDS Mission in Leeds, England, where he made lasting memories and eternal friendships.

Travis married Mandy Keime in the Salt Lake Temple on September 14, 1996. They have 4 children; Gavin, Cooper, Skyla, and Reese. Travis always put his wife and children first no matter what, and no matter how busy life was. He loved to watch ball games and play ball with his boys and take his girls on daddy daughter dates. He was a kind, patient and loving daddy.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Weber State University and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from University of Phoenix. He was a teacher and coach at Central Davis Junior High School for 6 years, and then at Northridge High School in Layton for the past 3 years. He felt blessed to be able to do what he loved, no matter the pay. He genuinely loved and respected his students and co-workers and they, in turn, genuinely loved and respected him.

He was a member of the South Weber First Ward, where he served faithfully in many callings including Young Men’s Presidency, Elders Quorum Presidency, and most recently as a ward missionary.

Travis is survived by his wife and eternal companion, Mandy; his children, Gavin, Cooper, Skyla and Reese, his father, Reed Poll, his father and mother-in-law; Al and Judy Keime, his brothers and sister, who were also his best friends; Curtis (Tammy) Poll, Chad (Angie) Poll, Steven (Angie) Poll and Aleesha (Matt) Merrill, several close brothers and sisters-in-law, his grandmothers; Elaine Poll and Dorothy Covieo, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers; Alfred Covieo and Marlow Poll, and by his mother, Lana Covieo Poll, with whom Travis had a special bond. We take comfort in knowing there is a happy reunion.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the South Weber Stake Center, 7989 South 2250 East. Friends may visit family on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center.

Interment Uintah City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Poll Children Charitable Account at any America First Credit Union.

Summer Fun

Here are just a few pictures of some of the fun we have had so far this summer.

Here is Jaimin showing us his dive.

And here he is finishing his "dive"

Jones after his last baseball game. This was his first year playing and he absolutely loved it.

Sleepover with their cousins. I was quite surprised how well they all did, we had no problems at all. It was even Lydia's first sleepover.

Fun at the new splash pad. As you can tell by Jones it was a bit cold that day.

The end of a wonderful thing.

So here is Jaimin 2 years ago getting ready to go to his first day of preschool. As many of you know Jaimin has been behind on his speech and so he had to go to a special preschool to help him. This was very hard for me, not only because I had to admit that something was wrong with him but because he was just barely 3 and I was sending him to school. At this point in Jaimin's life he wasn't talking at all, very rarely could you even get him to repeat what you had said.
I will never forget the first day we took him to school. He had really never been left with anyone except my parents for a short time so I new it was going to be hard. Jones and I walked him into the classroom where one of his teachers was and Jaimin was actually excited to be there because there were toys. Well as soon as he found out we were leaving he started crying. Not what I wanted to hear or see. Anyway the teacher came over and picked him up and said it is usually easier if the parents just go and not make the goodbye last longer. So Jones and I went and sat in the car. After a few minutes Jaimin and his teacher came outside to get some kids from the bus and he was sobbing. This broke our hearts, all Jones and I could do was sit there and cry. Jones kept asking if we could just go back and get him which of course I wanted to do but knew how much he needed the help. So we decided to just go run some errands to make time go by faster, well it didn't work, it felt like the longest day ever! The next day was a little better, he still cried but not as much and by the end of the week he wasn't crying at all. Now here he is on the last day of preschool after going there for 2 years. At this point he is talking in full sentences, interacting with others, and one of the most happiest kids ever. Since the first week of school 2 years ago he has never complained about it, in fact he always talked about how he loved it and was always excited to go. Amazingly this day was almost harder for me than the first day. Not only did I cry on his last day but I have cried for many days prior. I even made a fool of myself and cried at one of the meetings with all of the administration. I never thought I would like a school or teachers as much as I have this one. The teachers and staff are amazing! Every single day the teachers would come and greet jaimin with a big hug. One of my favorite things was seeing Jaimin running to his teachers with open arms yelling at the top of his lungs "Hi Teacher Tina, Hi Teacher Rocio, and Hi Teacher Dana". He absolutely loves his teachers and loved going to class! He had some of the most caring teachers anyone could ask for, they truly do care for him. Not once after 2 years did he ever come home upset, he was always in such a good mood after spending the day with them. In fact if he weren't at school he was at home playing school he loved it so much. If it were up to me I would keep him at this school until he graduated. I have so many mixed emotions, Happy because we were unsure Jaimin would be ready for Kindergarten and he is more than ready now. And sad because I know how much he loves his teachers and school and won't be able to see them anymore (except for the many visits I plan on having).
Jaimin has grown and accomplished more than I thought was possible while being at this school. They have helped him make a complete turn around. Without them I am not sure how he would be. So Thank you Teacher Tina, Teacher Rocio, and Teacher Dana!!!

Too Big Too Fast

I swear it was just the other day when Jones was this small! But no he just turned 7. Time goes bye too fast sometimes. On Wednesday we celebrated Jones' 7th birthday. (I still can't believe I have a 7 year old) Anyway we celebrated by letting him stay home from school and going to the Classic Fun Center, and of course I forgot to take the camera. After that we just had a small family get together for cake and ice cream. (The friend party is on Saturday) He had so much fun, he cried when it was time to go to bed because he didn't want it to end.

This is him with his new bike. He loves it and rides it every free minute he gets.

Here they are getting ready to open presents. I love how excited Jaimin was for Jones. Any time Jones would open a gift Jaimin would get so excited and thank everyone.

Here is the cake, my first attempt at fondant. It was more work than I was wanting but I am glad I tried.

This is what happened when he kept coming in and distracting me while I was making the cake.

Jones is such a sweet boy, we are so lucky to have him in our lives. He is one of the most caring boys I have ever met. Jaimin couldn't have a better big brother, he is so patient and understanding of Jaimin. I hope he never changes!!

Disneyland

Well we finally made it to Disneyland!! We had been telling the boys we were going to Idaho for a work trip. When we got to the airport and some of my family was there we decided to break the news that it wasn't Idaho but Disneyland. They were excited!! The boys loved every minute of it, Jones even said that he wanted to move there. We spent five days there, which was plenty. We have been home for almost a week now and they are still talking about it and still singing "It's a small world after all" (I don't think I will ever get it out of my head!). Hopefully we will be able to make it back again soon!