Temporary House

Well, we actually made it to Spokane and then left again...but before we left, we managed to get a temporary house. This is our temporary duplex. We are waiting for a 3 bedroom place to open up, but in the mean time we are going to be calling this home. We are sooo excited that our stuff arrives on the moving truck this Wednesday, Oct. 24! We have had a lot of fun with family, gone to 2 weddings, mission homecoming, Red fish lake, but we are ready to get a place of our own again. CJ keeps asking when he is going to see his toys.... needless to say after 3 months...we are done with the homeless bit.

2 Tough Boys

The boys have been holding up so well through all the chaios. They are still smiling and having fun...what troopers! They are both growing up so fast, we can hardly believe it. CJ is two and a half and Preston is already 6 months. Where does the time go?

Red Fish Lake...calm before the storm

We decided to stop at Red Fish Lake on our way to Spokane. We had a great time on the paddle boats, dining at the lodge, staying in our own Authentic cabin, walking along the lake, and just enjoying being together. The weather was beautiful and sunny....nothing could have been better. We are sure glad that we had such a great time at Red Fish, because the route from RedFish Lake up to Spokane was full of adventure... We had tow dolly problems that delayed us a day, but we met the nicest people in the world in Challis, Idaho. Well, they saved our bacon, but had a foul mouth so we call them Angels with a dirty tougue.
When we finally made it to Spokane, we were met with the news that there isn't any 3 bedroom houses available and no time line as to when one would be available. Then, Clay's water survival got pushed back a month....aghhh... so a bunch of bad news, but we are still smiling and know that everything will turn out ok - eventually.

Cows

It's like a "Where's Waldo" book. Everytime you turn the page, we're in a different place....Oklahoma, Washington, Idaho, Florida....where will the next page take us?

It's been a fun time in Idaho. CJ's was able to get his fill of cows, sugarbeets, giant corn fields, and 4 wheelers. But I think the most fun was being so close to the cousins.

Cousins!

CJ and Preston were so glad to see kids again! Ever since we left Enid, CJ has been asking where are the little boys to play with? As Nana and Papa Smith only have big kids at home, CJ missed kids his size. However, at Grandma and Papa Ward's house there are plenty of kids to play with and more! They all had so much fun playing together. When Clay arrived, he added to the fun by putting up a tire swing for the kids (of all ages - Yes, Laura and Clay took a ride too!) to enjoy. We had fun riding 4 wheelers, scooters, jumping on the trampoline, playing with toys and sharing. They shared everything from toys to the stomach flu. Yep, we all got it - Grandma on down... all I can say is YUCK. It was awful. All I am going to say is.... the walk of shame is not a fun experience.

Janie's Wedding Day....Memories

After being a part for several weeks, we were finally reunited for Janie's (Clay's sister) wedding. Laura and the boys came from Washington, Clay from Oklahoma, and they met in Idaho! Now that we are together for a weekend...smooth sailing right? Not quite... there is always an adventure in the Ward Clan! Janie's wedding was a wonderful, yet crazy for us. It started out with a nose bleed...but not just a small nose bleed - 3 or 4 GUSHING nose bleeds. (The picture is one of the last of the nose bleeds and minor....all the blood had already come out. Laura finally had the sense and idea that we needed to capture this "funny" moment on camera so we could remember and laugh about it later! It might be funny then!) So...as an explanation - CJ got his first nose bleed right when we showed up to take pictures and we were really good at containing the blood and not getting it on his white shirt and suit. However, we were not as successful with the subsequent 2 nose bleeds. CJ was tired and crying which didn't help the liquidity of the blood...so the next few episodes were disasterous. Red blood all over his white shirt...and I mean all over... Sleeves, collar, front, everything. What are we going to do? He can't be shirtless for the wedding and pictures... so we dug around in the diaper bag and luckily we had packed an extra shirt for Preston.... yeah, a good sized 2 1/2 year old fitting into a 4 1/2 month old shirt- it was a bit snug and showed quite a bit of mid-drift, but his vest covered him, so we went with it. If CJ's shirt looks alittle snug and doesn't fit with the outfit in the pictures...it's because it doesn't! What can you do? But, all in all, it was a gorgeous day. Janie, Clay's sister and bride, looked Beautiful- the weather was perfect, we were all together as a family and extended family, so...yeah we had a little excitment among the day - who cares? Memories........
Clay and CJ watching the Bride and Groom.

At least Laura and Grand-Dad were ready!

Horses, Slides and Roller Coasters

We had a fun time at the Gunderson Family Picnic - a child's dream place. CJ had a great time riding a pony, seeing a REALLY TALL MAN, and riding his first roller coaster. CJ loved all the rides and asked to go on them time and time again - however we could never get the kid to smile while on the rides (I guess he was concentrating on holding on for dear life!)

Celebrating Bryce's Birthday

Bryce is now 24 years old, but still needs help blowing out his candles, or so CJ thought! CJ was a good helper by blowing out a few of Bryce's candles even before Bryce could get a chance to catch his breath! ( so much for those birthday wishes Bryce). But, we had a fun day having a great family dinner, scavenger hunt, games and of course the famous strawberry triffle...it is to die for! Any of you who love strawberries, coolwhip, pudding and angel food cake - this one is a good one! A Smith family favorite! Preston even got a taste of coolwhip and strawberries! Yum, Yum.

Earning our Keep

Papa Smith has been busy painting every room of the house and when he got done with that, he started on the garage! Laura and CJ decided to do a little finger painting to "help" out. But, as many of you can atest... how helpful is a two year old, really? After a few rolls with the brush, some spilt paint, a climb on the ladder - we were ready for CJ to be done helping and ready to start playing again.

Visiting Great Grandma Kerr

While we were in Washington visiting the Smith family, we decided to take a trip down to Southern Oregon. We were able to visit Great Grandma Kerr, and many of Laura's aunts, uncles and Cousins. We hadn't been down to visit since CJ was born, so we were grossly overdue for a visit. It sure was fun to see everyone. While we were there we picked up 160 lbs. of pears!
We stuffed the trunk, backseat, floors, etc. we were practically sitting on the pears - - they were every where! And now that we are back, Laura is learning the great art of canning from here mother. We are in the midst of canning pears, lots of pears!

Julie's going to Brazil

Laura's sister Julie got her mission call....Brazil! Yipee. Julie is so excited and already practicing her Portguese. Laura was able to go with Julie to the temple for her first time on Saturday. It was a wonderful day for everyone. The boys even behaved well for Aunt Becky and Uncle Shane! Julie will be a great missionary - she leaves for Brazil the end of November. We love you Julie, we promise to write!

CJ says hello....CJ style

What can we say....... YES, He's ours!

Sneak Peek of Washington

Out of the heat and into the rain of Washington State. Laura, CJ and Preston are visiting the Smith Clan as we prepare to move to Spokane. They were welcomed by the rain and cooler weather. CJ was excited to get out the umbrella and put it to use! Poor Clay is still in Oklahoma, sweating enough for all of us. Laura and the boys are enjoying their time with Nana, Papa and all the aunts and uncles. At one time, 6 of the 7 Smith kids were at home...wow. It's a crowded, but fun house.

Preston's Impression of an Aileron Roll

Hey, the little Preston made one of his first major moves towards Manhood. (No, he didn't pick his nose!) Laura was able to catch the kid on video during one of his first roll-over's from belly to back.
What will be the little man-cub's next move? Only time can tell.....

A Goodbye Surprise

Here are the Enid Groupies. We have so much fun together. Our good friends threw us a surprise goodbye party. We sure are going to miss playgroup, garage sale-ing, early morning walks, long talks, movie nights, park dates, dinner dates, etc. These ladies and their husbands have been angels on earth for Laura, CJ and Preston while Clay has been doing training. Thank you everyone...you are such a blessing. We are hoping you all get a blogspot so we can keep in touch all across the world...hint, hint!! We are sure going to miss all of you.