The Casali Family

What a great family! We were blessed to see the Casali family 2 times in a matter of months. Amy Casali (White) was like a big sister to me while I was growing up and she has always been a part of our family. Her and her husband Tony have 6 kids now. I used to help babysit Tommy, her oldest. It is so hard to believe that he will be getting married this year. Amy and Tony have such a wonderful relationship and a beautiful family. They came to the Boston area this summer and stopped by our house for "Taco Night" and a bonfire. When Sam and I went home to Arizona this summer, we drove up north to Flagstaff to visit them. They have horses. Anyway that knows Sam, knows that he is somewhat obsessed with horses. So I told him when we went to visit Pap and Grandma in September, we would go to the Casali house and he could ride a horse. Can I say that my son is like an elephant - he doesn't forget! Here are some pictures from our time with the Casali family.

Before our visit to Flagstaff, we picked up apples and carrots to feed the horses.
I really didn't think Sam would get "that" up close and personal with the horses. But the boy surprises me everyday. He loved every second of it.
He was a little nervous about getting on Junie (the horse) for his first time...
... so mommy showed him what to do.

He was on Junie in no time flat, after he saw his mom could do it.

Amy led us around the yard as a warm up. FYI - Sam and I shared a child's saddle, so you can only imagine how comfortable that is for a little boy and 10 week (nauseous) pregnant mom. Sam kept telling me it was hurting his penis. It was kind of funny.

He was ready to go solo, and happy to not have to share a saddle with "big mommy"

This boy was in 7th heaven.

After at least an hour - no joke, of horseback riding we MADE Sam take a break. Tony showed him the chickens. Sam helped gather eggs, he found a smallish green egg - like green eggs and ham. He carried that egg around until it was time to go in for lunch.

Amy finally got a chance to show us a thing or two on Junie - COWGIRL UP Amy. You go girl.

Meanwhile, Sam checks on the chickens.

After we all had lunch, Sam was ready for another ride on Junie. He wanted to do it by himself. Mr. Independent did a great job. I think Dan and I are looking at a very expensive hobby for this little guy.

Fun is over, now to the chores. Pap shows him the pooper scooper. Time to feed and clean up after Junie.

Grandma and Sam stop to say cheese.

Sam and mommy go for a ride around the ring, this time we had a bigger saddle.

What a great day! Thank you Casali's for having us for the day! I think we could be looking at very expensive horse riding lessons ... I think a round trip ticket to AZ is at least $200 a pop.

My little cowboy gets buckled in for his ride down south to the Valley of the Sun.

Obsessed with horses much.

For a while he was taking 1 or 2 of these horses with him whenever we went somewhere.

Here are some shots of earlier this summer when the clan vacationed out East and stopped at Maplewood Dr. for tacos and a bonfire.

Making SMORES - they were a hit.

Sam and Emily (the youngest) were inseparable all night. Sam had to got to the potty and he only wanted Emily to take him. In fact, Emily read him stories before he went to bed that night too. It was very sweet.