Photo shoot

The boys and Mom were all playing together in the bedroom....when Laura heard a little boy say, "Mom, we are both in here together, you better go get the camera and take our picture"....Good idea CJ! Both of the boys had crawled into a little compartment under their bed..so they were happy and contained...Perfect situation for a picture. So the following are the favorites from the photo shoot Lesson to self...when the kids request their picture taken...run as fast as you can to get the camera...it doesn't happen very often!

Easter

We had a fabulous Easter together as a family. The Easter Bunny visited our home....the boys loved their new PJs and had to put them on RIGHT away! Laura was happy with the Easter bunny, except for one detail....the GREEN Grass....Laura was sure that she had that detail under control....but no. It still appeared....somehow it always finds it's ways into the cracks. The Easter bunny said, "how can it be Easter without fake grass?" and the Easter bunny helper replied, "Easter came and went just fine last year without it (when someone was deployed). So the deal was...the one who insists....gets to clean it up. Well...lets just say....maybe we won't have fake grass next year!

Preston's TWO!

Trains, Tractors, Motorcycles.....Preston Loves them all! We can't believe our little man is two. Preston adds so much life into our family. Preston's smile is contagious...and makes people laugh where ever we go. He is Mr. Personality....however, his giggles sometimes gets us into trouble. For instance...at church today, we had a hard time controlling him...he was totally flirting with this little girl two rows up and was giggling up a storm, and these were not the he, he, laugh under you breath giggles...these were down right laugh- out - loud, cute when you aren't in church giggles. Yes, I am grateful he wasn't screaming or having a tantrum...but, his giggles were also disruptive. As we tried to get him to quiet down...everyone took turns looking...and of course, everyone looking and giving him attention didn't help the problem.....oh no. Attention FED the giggles...oh boy. Got to love Him.

Enjoying Spokane

The boys love to feed the ducks...so we had a bunch of old bread in the freezer that we have been saving up for such an occasion. However, that bag of bread went really fast....those ducks were hungry (so was Preston....we caught him eating the bread several times rather than feeding the ducks.) The boys also love puddles. We just can't keep them out of it. They love to fly airplanes in the puddles, splash, drive their lawn mower, etc... mud and puddles - makes them happy. TRUE BOYS. (side note...if you look closely in one of the pictures you will see a mountain goat...this is a really special goat! You push a button and it turns on this vacuum that sucks up garbage! You put your garbage by his mouth/ nose and it sucks it up into the dumpster behind him! Hilarious! CJ (and mom and dad of course!) had a great time watching the goat suck up anything they could find laying around...Preston however, wouldn't have anything to do with the garbage sucking goat!)

CJ and Mommy Date

CJ and Laura went on a date! CJ and Laura talked about what they were going to do on their date for a week...CJ planned where they were going to go, what they were going to do, etc. When the day arrived, both were very excited. First stop was the bookstore! CJ said that he wanted to go to Barnes and Nobles. Laura thought she knew why he wanted to go there...play with the train table...but CJ had a better idea. He walked in, went straight to the display of trains, picked out the yellow tractor looking one...and said, "Ok...I'm ready to go. I want to buy this." Laura just laughed....not only had CJ remembered that toy from a few weeks previous when they had come to Barnes and Nobles, but he planned it out on how he was going to come back and bring it home! Smart man. Next stop was the Spokane Temple. CJ was a little upset when Mom said they couldn't go inside, but they walked the grounds, chatted about the temple, and then went into the lobby....CJ was thrilled. Next stop...Taco Bell! Laura wasn't complaining, she loves Taco Bell too! Finally, the toy store. They looked around, played with several toys, and then left empty handed, but that is ok...the yellow tractor from Barnes and Nobles was waiting in the car! All in all...it was a very successful date. I do believe there will be a second!

Preston's Great Escape

Every mother knows that there is definitely something wrong when it is too quiet...well, that is exactly what we found out the other night! Clay just got home from work, Laura was making dinner, CJ and Preston were helping roll out the pizza dough, and they were anxiously telling each other all about their day. After a few minutes Preston got bored with the conversation and wandered off...(We usually keep the front door locked...but it had just been opened because Clay got home). All of a sudden, we realized it was too quiet and went looking for where Preston had wandered off to...usually it is to his room to play with toys...nope empty! Now, we were all moving faster through out the house looking and calling for him... and where should we find him? In the front yard, holding up his apron - so it wouldn't get dirty!, and stomping around in the never ending snow pile in the front yard with his socks. We were so grateful to see that sight...knowing Preston, he could be halfway down the street at that point...the little man is quick. He looked so funny out there in his little apron, holding it up, that we had to take a picture!

Special Time with Grandma

Our Angel Mother loves to come and help us when we have babies and it is such a blessing to have her come...so when Nicole had baby #3 earlier this month (baby girl - Lacey Jane)...Mom was anxious to head to

Utah. So, Laura and the boys hopped in the car and headed to Brush Prairie. They spent a few days getting trained on taking care of Grandma and then playing and spending time with Papa, Shane, Bryce and Amy. After which, they brought Grandma home with them...and we have been delighted to have Grandma spend a few weeks here in Spokane. Grandma is such a fun lady - always chipper and positive. She would play peek-a-boo with the boys, read them stories, give Preston a ride on the wheelchair and just be a great companion for Laura during the day. CJ loved to help with Grandma's medications, shots, and blood (diabetes). During her visit we had lots of adventures - among which involved the emergency room...never a dull moment in the Ward Home!




Poor Grandma somehow broke her finger...we still aren't quite sure how....crazy! Lots of great Memories...thanks for coming and staying with us ...we love you Grandma.

CJ's One Year Older...and Wiser Too!

Happy Birthday CJ! He is now a whopping 4! and boy is he excited to tell everyone! He was able to take treats to share with his friends at school....he picked donuts! He was thrilled to go to the store, pick them out and proudly bring them to class with him! Then, for his actual birthday, Papa, Nana and Grandma came to celebrate with us. He got his very own pancakes in the shape of his name, of which he was very proud...and now continually asks to have it again! CJ requested a tractor cake and Taco Bell.....and that is exactly what he got! He invited his little friend Mia to join us at Taco Bell...boy those kids can eat taco bell! CJ ate 4 crispy tacos...yes 4! When we showed up to order we asked what he wanted and he said, "4 hard shell tacos" We said are you sure you can eat all those? He said "I am 4, so I want 4" We said, "Ok...it is your birthday, so whatever you want." And wouldn't you believe it...he ate ALL FOUR! Holy Cow! His little friend Mia kept up pretty well too... she ate 4 cheese rolls! WOW...two peas in a pod!

We can hardly believe that CJ is 4...he is growing up so quickly. CJ is such a great helper around the house. He loves to help mop the floor, cook, and wash dishes. The latter is more of a water war with CJ and the sink...but hey...let's start a good habit, right? CJ has started reading and is excited about his new ability to sound out words. He is very good at sharing with Preston, however, occasionally he gets frustrated with his younger brother and asks if we can get rid of him and get a sister instead! But, all in all..they are good buddies and love to play together! CJ has a sweet personality and says the cutest things. We love his famous response of "I sure did" instead of a simple yes.....it always makes us smile!