CJ Gets Teeth

CJ got his first tooth at the beginning of November, we have just failed to let it be known to the world. As of now he has five teeth and we're excited to see them coming in. Luckily we have been fortunate not to experience too much of the fussy-baby-syndrome that sometimes accompanies a teething kid.

CJ also started walking about a week and a half ago. We know that we'll be kicking ourselves later for being so excited about him walking, but for now it's pretty exciting watching the little guy shuffle around the place. But one things for sure, nobody is as excited for CJ to be walking than CJ. His eyes light up with every step.

CJ Makes New Friends

On 23 December CJ became quite the social bug when he personally invited over about four armed officers from the local Milton police department. Early in the evening he had gotten hold of the phone and started pushing numbers, which means mommy had to keep pushing the 'hang-up' button since the operator kept coming on. But obviously one of his calls went through to someone besides the operator because a few minutes later we got a call from 911 dispatch asking if everybody in the household was all right. Mom apologetically explained the situation to the dispatch who understood and informed us that she would call off the police officers en route to the house. So we didn't think anything of it and went across the street to tend to our neighbors dogs (the neighbors were out of town). When we left their house we were quite startled to see at least three cop cars parked in front of our house and about four cops peering through our windows. Quite embarrased we stated that we were 'over here' and that CJ had been the one who had made the call. Luckily they were completely understanding.

Santa Clause Did Come!!!

Well, Christmas certainly came in the Ward house. He was quite generous, especially when it came to CJ and his newly acquired mountain of loot. He got all kinds of toys, from learning-games, to squishy blowfish, to a toddler-sized dump truck (every little boy needs to have a dump truck, along with airplanes and cars, all of which CJ got this Christmas). We're sure that he didn't need that much stuff, but what can you do. Clay was also excited to see that CJ didn't receive any girly dolls or anything of that sort.

CJ Meets Santa

Since it's CJ's first Christmas, it's also his first holiday to meet the big, scary guy in the red suit, which were CJ's thoughts judging by the tone in his screams. Oh well. I'm sure he won't be as frightened when he meets the REAL Santa Clause. We tried twice to get a good picture of CJ with Santa, once at Wal-Mart and once at the ward party, with no luck. Maybe next year.

Beware of hot stovetops!!!

Of course it was inevitable, since just about every kid has to touch a hot stove top at least once. But we were hoping that CJ would have at least waited until he was old enough to understand the lesson a little better. Last Saturday (17Dec) he found just that while mom & dad weren't looking. Naturally, it look a good while before there was peace and quiet in the Ward house again.

Where Have We Been For a Month?

November was a busy month. Mom and Dad Ward took a trip to church sites at the beginning of November, and showed up here in Florida on the 9th. While down here we went to the Blue Angels Airshow, went to Eglin AFB, and just explored a bit around the area.
A few days before they were about to head back to Idaho, we found out that we weren't going to start primary flight training until 12 December, so at the last minute we took leave for three weeks and hitched a ride back west with them (yes, they drove). We were in the car, four adults and one CJ, for four days of driving. It wasn't too bad actually, CJ did really well throughout the trip. We did stop at Liberty jail in Independence , Missouri, as well as Adam-Ondi-Ahman which was really neat. We arrived in Utah on Thursday, 17 Nov, and surprised the Smith Family (who were planning on spending Thanksgiving in American Fork). We spent about a week with them, and then we headed to Idaho for about another week with the Ward Family. Clay spent a few days up in the mountains hunting in the snow for ellusive elk. There was a lot of snow and cold temperatures in Dietrich which made Clay really appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons, while it made Laura really appreciate Florida. We returned to Milton on 7 Dec and threw up our Christmas decorations. We them found out on Friday, 9 Dec that Clay's class-up date was pushed back once again to 17 Jan (another month of waiting). It's frustrating not getting into flight training yet, but the time for all three of us to be together is great, and we're really excited to start our own family traditions as we spend this Christmas with just....... us.

An Airplane of My Very Own

Well, for the last few weeks since Clay's been finished with phase I of flight training, and waiting to start Phase II, he's been occupying some of his time (way too much time, if you ask Laura) to building a radio controlled airplane from scratch. It was a particular challenge because it wasn't a kit, and there was no manual or instructions on how to build it,not even any patterns to follow, but it was a alot of fun shaping all of the pieces from plywood and balsa and slowly putting it all together. Clay hasn't taken it to the skies, still just taxiing it around on the ground, and he'll probably work up (slowly) to the point of actually taking it off. Hopefully the construction is sound enough that it will fly, He'd hate to see it crash and burn right after he finished building it.

Military Appreciation Day

Friday, 4 Nov was military appretiation day up at Whiting Field, so we trucked up to see what was going on. There was some good food, some nice raffle prizes (which we didn't win), basketball, softball, and bowling tournaments, and this nice big green bubbley slide, among other things. CJ was thoroughly amused with it, and he probably would have been even more amused with it had mommy let daddy let CJ go down it by himself (ok, so maybe it wasn't such a good idea!). We also ate lunch with Derek and Alisson Neal, and then played a game of horseshoes with Eric and Tina Balls. All in all it was a good day.

Our Little Elephant

Although Daddy had major objections at first....For those of you who have seen the Christmas Story... it resembled a certain pink bunny suit too closely for Clay's approval... But, when Mom sneaked the little man into his ELEPHANT SUIT, Daddy couldn't deny It was a winner of a Halloween outfit! What a cutie!!

Halloween Party and BonFire!

Meet... Dr. Laura, Wyatt Erp, and "Dumbo." We all enjoyed our ward halloween party! It was a bonfire, barbacue, hayride and trunk or treat! CJ had fun hanging out with his little friend Riley the pumpkin!

Home MakeOver

Laura's been spending a lot of her time researching curtains and pillows, then in the stores looking for the perfect matches, and finally behind the sewing machine making the final touches! Laura has had a fun time rearranging the house,"dejunking" as she calls it, and giving the walls alittle color! The house is finally put back together and looks better than ever with its new face lift.

Big Clay, Little Clay

They look alike when they are awake and asleep! Everyone sure knows whose kid this is! This picture was just too cute to pass up... Awe.. Nap time!

I'm a Big Kid Now

With his tennis shoes on, CJ no longer looks like a baby! He is becoming such a little boy! On the first of November he will officially be eight months old! He is slowly getting used to having something on his feet! He is realizing that his shoes are more than something to play with... they are able to give him more leverage than those little toes!! CJ actually stood by himself for 3 seconds today! Yipee.

CJ's First Bike Ride!!

We'd been contemplating it for quite a while now, and last night we finally went out and bought a bike seat for CJ to ride in. Before that we could never go on bike rides together. One of us would have to stay back and keep an eye on the little guy. But this morning we finally went on the Blackwater trail together. It was a lot of fun and CJ seems to really enjoy his new seat.







The mornings have been getting a bit colder, and when mom takes the little man on her morning workout on the trail, he needs to wear a little more than just his onesy. But after getting him into his hooded sweatshirt for the first time, it was necessary to get a picture since he was such a dashing dude. Luckily he still doesn't know just how cute he really is!

The National Shrimp Festival

Earlier today the ward crew, along with Derek & Alisson and Kevin & Kristin, took a little gander to Gulf Shores Alabama to attend the Nat'l Shrimp festival. There were all kinds of food vendors, along with music, crafts booths, and a sand castle contest. It was fun hanging out at the beach and getting a little crisped at the same time.

Girl's Camp!

Girls camp here we come!! Laura and CJ headed up to girls camp for a day to be with the Young Women. As the token Male, CJ was loved, adored, and well fed. There were corndogs for lunch, corn for dinner..... CORN, CORN, CORN... Laura can't seem to get away from it (but instead of slipping her portions to the dog under the table, she feeds CJ! How sly! )

Parachute Landing Fall Training

Earlier this morning Clay and his class did practice parachute landing scenarios at a small grass air field in Alabama (in AL since it's illegal to parasail behind a pickup in Florida). Basically the truck towed each person up to 100-150 feet and let them go. Each person went twice. It was a lot of fun, although Clay is a little sore now from crashing into the ground.

Gone To Atlanta!

Late Friday afternoon we decided on a spur of the moment to take a trip to Atlanta, GA in order to go to the temple as well as get a hefty supply of wheat from the storehouse. For the past month and a half we've been trying to procure some wheat here in the Pensacola area with no luck. Most businesses we have gone to just give us blank stares, and those places that do know what wheat is are quick to tell us "good Luck" because there isn't any wheat in the South. We even hit up the local farmer's feed-n-seed stores with no luck. But luck for us the storehouse in Atlanta was abounding with the stuff. We left for Atlanta on Friday afternoon and just got back a couple of hours ago. Unfortunately, we forgot to bring our camera, so this pieced together photo re-creation of the trip will have to do!

CJ's first Haircut!!!

Lately CJ's hair has been growing over his ears, which was a sure sign that his hair was getting a little too long. So tonight we buckled down (more like buckled him down) and made a clean cut dude. He already flirts with every girl in sight, so hopefully he doesn't get too confident with his new doo!

........................Before......................................................


















............................................And AFTER!!!................................................

"It's Cornbread And Chicken..."

Wouldn't you know it? We've been down in the South for just a short time and all three of us are already addicted to cornbread. CJ is particularly fond of it, especially when it's topped with maple syrup.
The way that he's looking into the oven you would think that there's a Red Rider 200 shot Range model air rifle (with a compass in the stock!) in there.

Pool Baby!

Lucky for us the little guy loves to hang out and cause a rukus in the tub! He loves going in and splashing around in the water. Actually getting him all lathered up is a bit difficult, but it's not as fun when there's no wrestling involved, right?

Two Too Cute

Laura and CJ were caught on camera as they were heading off to a General Relief Society broadcost in Pensacola. Mom was kind enough to let CJ tag along in order to help dad study for his upcoming navigation exam. Before the broadcast the Relief Society sisters were planning on getting together and assembling kits for hurricane victims, as well as having a dinner. I'm sure that CJ will be a big help with putting those kits together!