The Ward Family

Halloween

2011-11-12T16:18:00.004-07:00

Black Island Farms. Beckam had a blast going down the big slides.

Ok, so this may be borderline animal torture. But it has become a tradition in our family every year, and this year Jib joined the party! What good sports.

More Jib and Cabin

2011-10-28T11:22:00.005-06:00

(Note that these pics of Jib are from a few months ago before we sent him off to "boot camp" at Kory's house. He is a lot bigger now.)

This was our first trip to the cabin this year and it was Jib's first time in the water. He did really great, especially with the water being so cold. The meadow up at our cabin had flooded from all the water this spring, so it gave us some good marsh to practice water retrieves in.

Beckam's 2nd Birthday

2011-09-13T09:44:00.005-06:00

I know his birthday was a couple months ago, but better late than never. We had a lot of fun swimming at Papa and Nana's house for his birthday. Beckam LOVES swimming!! And luckily we had JUST finished unwrapping his presents when the rain came rolling in and we cleared out. That's the way to clear out a party fast, but it was just in time. Thanks everyone who came to celebrate with us!!

These are after his birthday, enjoying his new toys!

ONe of his favorite gifts, a blower. He loves having tools of his own to help his daddy.

He wasn't too sure about putting his face up to open flame. Smart boy.

Papa, Cici, and Beckam

Racecar cupcake-cake

Cousins, Beckam and Ty

Candy table

ER #4

2011-08-30T09:15:00.003-06:00

Well, we thought we were doing good and had broken our streak of ER visits. I have saved all of his hospital bracelets and so far we have a 15 mo, 18 mo, 21 mo, and now a 2 yr. And to top it all off, we are in between insurances right now. Our new insurance starts up in 2 days, isn't that how life always happens? My little B-Man is pretty crazy to say the least. He's just a little too brave for his own abilities. This time he jumped off the couch after asking if he could and Ryan saying no, of course he did it anyway and somehow managed to slam right into the corner of the coffee table. (PS coffee table is leaving our house this week to be replaced with a soft, cushiony ottoman) We knew immediately that he needed stitches, there was a good-size hole in his forehead and you could see the layers of skin and muscle into what looked like his skull (just the membrane around the skull). He didn't even cry either, he was pretty chill through the whole process until we had to hold him down for the stitches. He does not like to be restrained. Anyway, they did a few inner sutures since it was so deep and then 5 stitches on the outside. And besides a new scar added to his forehead he will be just fine. So far we have tallied a glued forehead, stitches to his ear, and concussion with a CT Scan, and now stitches to his forehead. Please send good vibes our way so we do not have to visit that dang ER room again for a looong time!!!

Summer activities

2011-07-06T19:10:00.005-06:00

We've had a lot of fun as a family this summer so far. Here are a few highlights.

This is Beckam's face when he is saying "cheese" to the camera.

I filled up the tub and went to grab my camera because Jib was chomping wildly at the running water. When I got back (I was literally gone like 2 seconds) Beckam decided to get in without me-PJ's and all!!

We had a fun BBQ with my friends right before Cassie had her baby. And isn't that the cutest picture of Beckam and Carson together?

Camping Memorial Day weekend. Very cold, but a lot of fun nonetheless. We love all our neighborhood friends! The Chambers' The Skeen's and The Wall's

Beckam and cousin Ty-Ty

Beckam and his cousins: Ridge, Ty, and Austin

Ragnar Relay up in Eden. Oh how that one mile killed me!!

Jib

2011-06-02T21:25:00.004-06:00

Meet Jib, the newest addition to our family. We picked Jib up a few weeks ago at 6 weeks old, and he's almost 8 weeks old now. He has grown so much is just a few weeks, but I guess that is to be expected for a lab puppy. He's been a great puppy so far. Of course, he keeps us at night and has had a few accidents, but overall I've been really impressed. He seems a lot more easy going than when Audi, our rat terrier, was a puppy. This is what Ryan has been waiting years for, his own hunting dog. We got him from a really good hunting pedigree line so we have high hopes for this little guy. But either way, you just can't deny an adorable puppy!

Beckam's new best friend

This is seriously how he likes to sleep. I put him on his bed, but he always inches to the wood floor where it's colder.

E.R. Trip #3

2011-05-24T20:54:00.004-06:00

So yes, unfortunately we have continued our pattern of visiting the ER about every three months. About a month ago we went for the 3rd time. Beckam fell backwards off a swing, cried pretty hard for longer than normal, then got super quiet and cuddly (so not like him), and then he started throwing up a bit later. He had to have a CT scan to make sure there was so bleeding in his brain. The scan came back good, but he did get a concussion. So our running total equals 1 glued forehead, 6 stitches in his ear, and one concussion with a CT scan. And that is just counting our ER visits. We also got RSV twice his first winter, and we had to have 3 months of helmet therapy for his mis-shapen head. Whew!! What a handful my little boy is, but I sure love him.

Still a happy little guy even after all that!

Easter in St George

2011-05-02T15:03:00.005-06:00

We had a great weekend in St George for Easter this year. The weather was great, which was the best thing of all. We went to the art show, went swimming, shot clay pigeons ( I hit like 4 of them!), and did some good shopping.

Beckam was shoving the candy in his mouth as fast as he could before we could take it away. Didn't care about any of the presents, just candy!

He knows there is candy in that egg!

Papa and his grand-kids.

My little handsome boy.

First Time Sledding

2011-01-14T13:11:00.004-07:00

I have been wanting to take Beckam sledding for awhile now because let's face it, there aren't many other fun outdoor activities to do in the winter with your little ones. So we finally went last week on New Years Day over at the old South Jr High right by our house. He had a lot of fun-for about three runs that is. He doesn't like to keep his hat and gloves on so of course was enjoying it after they came off. We had fun while it lasted anyway!

Doesn't Beckam look so chunky in this picture, I think it's pretty funny.

Ryan didn't tell me that Beckam had slid all the way down the sled. haha

Solo run!

This was his favorite part, being pulled in the sled to and from the snow hill.

Halloween and the Holidays

2011-01-11T13:09:00.007-07:00

Halloween

Yes, we are the type of people who dress up our dogs every year.

Suprisingly, Beckam actually cuddled up to him right after I took this picture.

Ward cousins and Aunt Mindy

My mom always gets into costume, I love it!

Christmas

No crying with Beckam, he goes to strangers all to easy.

Christmas jammies with Shelby

Best part of the night for Beckam was jumping off the stairs.

All of our Christmas jammies.

Christmas morning, oh ya!

He is signing candy while chowing down. Best breakfast ever!

New Years Eve

Sister power!

Second trip to the ER on New Years Eve. Split ear open and six stitches later...

A few events to catch up on...

2010-11-08T14:40:00.005-07:00

I have been totally slacking on keeping up with the blog. As if life isn't crazy enough, we are expected to continuously update facebook, blogs, websites, and scrapbooks. Are you kidding? Those moms who are able to keep up with it all along with not neglecting their families are called supermoms, and more power to ya if you are one of them! I, however, would certainly not put myself into that category. But some is better than none, eh? Anywho, here's a catch-up of our last couple months.

Cabin

Studly Beckam

Haha you gotta love it!

Park City

Nashville visiting Casey (and the Hills!!)

This one is on Broadway Street. Night out on the town

Outside of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

Nashville stadium across the river

Turning into country stars already!

Yes, Nashville has it's very own Parthenon

First Trip to the ER

Left Beckam in the back seat with a tub of ice cream. Oops!

Red Castle

2010-08-21T16:54:00.004-06:00

Red Castle was A LOT of Fun with all these wonderful boys! We hiked in 8 miles last Wednesday to set up camp just as it was getting dark, and then we finished out the 2.5 miles up to Red Castle Thursday morning. Can I just tell you, HIKING not necessarily the right word. These boys SPEED WALK at a FAST pace, so this was no leisurly hike. No, no, I spent the entire hike in walking as FAST as I could the WHOLE way with my pack on!! And then the boys went and hiked up to different lakes everyday as well while I stayed at camp with my blanket, book, and food to RELAX! They brought back lots of yummy fish and stories to tell so we had a great time! We hiked out Saturday afternoon and since the boys totally worked me going in, I decided to give them a run for their money. I led the pack and walked even faster on the way out if that's even possible and then ran the last mile because I just wanted it over with. 10.5 miles is a long way. Will I do it again? Give me a couple years to forget about it and then, maybe.

Summer Pics So Far

2010-07-01T16:20:00.007-06:00

The Cabin!

Our first trip to the Cabin with the little guy. We had lots of fun going on walks, roasting shmo's, watching movies, catching and releasing squirrels, and going fishing. So glad we have the cabin to escape to! (Beckam fell asleep on our walk to the bridge, so cute!)

Dress Up!

Beckam loves dress-up just as much as I do! He thought it was so cool to have those sweatbands on. Funny little boy!

Swimming!

Beckam's First Time Swimming! He loved it, just as I thought he would. He just loves the tub and doesn't mind having water get in his face. Many more swim days to come at Nana and Papa's Pool this summer.

The Zoo!

Beckam's First Time To The Zoo. It was lots of fun, and perfect weather on Memorial Day. I think it was my first time to the zoo that I did not want to die from heat exhaustion. Check out this huge orangutang saying HI to Beckam!

RAGNAR

2010-06-29T21:22:00.008-06:00

Just outside of Avon Pass

Right before my first leg

Early Friday morning at the kick-off party

During my second leg

My family support crew during second leg

Never want to use one of these again

Finish Line Party at the Canyons

Ragnar was such an adventure! Our team name was "Doin It Raggie Style". Our weekend started Thursday evening where I met up with our team to decorate the cars, and then my car headed up to Logan where we stayed the night. We woke up bright and early Friday morning to be at the start line at 5:00 am where all the festivities began. I was runner #2 and my first leg was 6.7 miles through Hyrum Valley, it was a gorgeous run and perfect temperature at about 7:30. I was pretty proud of myself after that run because up to that point, my furthest running distance was only 6 miles. Second run was later Friday evening around 6:30. I started at the Sinclair in Mtn. Green and went 3 miles.

My car ran until about midnight and then headed to our next exchange in Oakley to TRY and sleep a few hours. I parked my sleeping bag out on the grass under the stars and got maybe 3 hours, but as soon as I woke up at 4:30, I was SO sick to my stomach and I just started shaking (more like convulsing). You see, my last run was supposed to be 3.3 miles, but I was stupid enough to offer one of the girls to switch for her hard run: a 7.9 miles run with very large hills up around Jordanelle Reservoir. (So I was a little sleep deprived, a little dehydrated, and a little nervous all together = sick and shaking) I was pretty sick all day Saturday, but was determined to finish my last leg. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done physically, but I DID IT!

Our team finished around 36 hours. Our last set of legs offered up some interesting situations with lots of hurt knees, extreme exhaustion, and even a trip to the hospital (love you steph!) But again, WE DID IT! And that's all that counts. All said and done, would I do it again? Oh ya!

Helmet is Off!

2010-06-01T13:12:00.003-06:00

So, as of May 19th, Beckam is done with his helmet! Hooray, Hooray. His head looks so much better. Not perfect, but who's head is perfect. I'm so glad we decided to do it. And I'm so glad it is now done! Here are some before and after pics. What a change, eh?

EASTER

2010-05-12T21:04:00.005-06:00

Ok, so better late than never, right? Here's a review of our Holiday weekend! We had such a great Easter with Beckam this year. I was anticipating the day for weeks! I made Ryan a mini scavenger hunt with clues around the house that led to his Easter "basket". (The laundry basket is somewhat an inside joke between us. Our first Valentine's Day being married, he wrapped my presents in towels and brought them to me in a laundry basket. So I thought it only appropriate as an Easter basket).

Ryan on his quest through his Easter hunt.

So many new experiences!

Can life get any better?

Of course, more interested in the basket itself than the contents inside.

Easter Egg Hunt

He's just trying to get away with it before I take it away.

Sunday Easter Outfit. My boys are SO handsome!

Just For Laughs

2010-04-05T12:09:00.002-06:00

Ryan has been bugging me forever to post these pics. He brought this hat home from work one day to "cover" Beckam's helmet with something LESS conspicuous. Did it work? We had some good laughs either way.

Helmet: Month One

2010-03-21T20:42:00.002-06:00

We started the helmet almost three weeks ago, first week of March. First week described as...rough! It was just a huge adjustment for Beckam to wear it day and night. He sweat a lot the first week and really didn't like it coming on and off. I know that when I wear a hat or headband, I usually end up with a headache by the end of the day so can you imagine wearing a tight fitting hard plastic helmet day and night constantly? It's sad to put him through but I know it's better for him in the long run. We are totally doing 100% better with it now. Totally adjusted to it and doing well. Yay! He gets an hour off every day usually to bath and get ready for bed but he still gets pretty sad when it has to go back on. With 3 weeks almost downand about 2 1/2 months to go, I feel like we can make it.

Vegas Getaway

2010-03-09T13:41:00.001-07:00

Ryan had an archery tournament in Vegas a few weeks ago so Beckam and I decided to go down as well and stay with Brit and CAse. We all went out to eat our first night and met up with Jake and Julie at Hash House. Do you see the meals...they were HUGE! Beckam and I especially loved the warm weather. We went to the duck park the first day and dog park on Sunday. He was loving it!! Vegas has the best parks ever, and they have so many! It was a fun little getaway. Thanks Brit and Case!

RSV

2010-02-07T11:51:00.004-07:00

So, Beckam is now 7 months old! Wow, I swear it was just yesterday that I posted our last blog when he turned 6 months old. Well, Beckam has had a rough last couple of weeks. Two weeks ago he had what we thought was pink eye. We treated it with drops for a week and then he started getting what we thought was a cold. By Wednesday night, the cold had gotten worse with a horrible sounding cough and his breathing was constant wheezing. So I took him into the hospital around 8 (right when he usually goes to bed, poor thing) where he tested positive for RSV. I had no idea! I was just glad that I decided to take him in. We spent the next hour torturing my poor little boy with an ear clean-out treatment, a breathing treatment, and a nose suctioning treatment (all while being naked and just wanting to fall asleep). I felt so bad for him but it was for his own good.

The hospital had a breathing machine and a nose suction machine sent to my house that night at midnight so I could continue the treatments every 4-6 hours, even during the night! So with Ryan in Florida from Wednesday until Saturday, that is how I have spent the last couple days. Cooped up in the house torturing my sick son all day. To all those who have little ones, avoid RSV!!

On a good note, it is now Sunday and we are finally starting to see some improvement. He only wheezes when he gets really worked up and the cough is more occasional than regular. But unfortunately he may still be contagious, so Ryan and I will be spending this Superbowl Sunday by ourselves at home.

six months!

2010-01-15T21:34:00.005-07:00

A Few Tidbits ABout Beckam...

*He just LOVES our dog, Audi

*Loves to look at himself in the mirror

*Likes to be around different people and different atmospheres (unless tired, then it's really bad)

*Does not do well in noisy, chaotic atmospheres

*He loves rice cereal, peaches, and squash so far...throws up everything else.

*Loves to drink out of the sippy cup but pulls a face after every sip when it's not warm formula

*Still hates being on his belly and still won't roll over

*He can scoot around on his back by flexing his legs and arching his back (He's always crammed up at the top of his crib in the morning)

*He is a great night sleeper usually averaging 11 hours a night

*Horrible day napper. I literally will put him down for a nap and he will be up and ready to go again 10 min. later

*Still has a flat head (as mentioned later on) and may need a helmet soon

*Loves to jump and constantly move around

*Will always try to stand rather than sitting

*Loves to be undressed and hates to be dressed

I can't believe Beckam is already six months old! Wow, the last few months have just flown by. We have had so much fun through the holiday season with him. First Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. He has also had many personal firsts *eating solid food *drinking out of his sippy cup *sitting on his own *and today he sat in his stroller without the car seat for the first time. Little things I know, but they are big events to me!

Beckam had his six month check-up last week and here are his stats.

Weight: 15.5 lbs. (15%)

Height: 27.3 in. (78%)

We are still somewhat concerned about his flat head, so I am going to schedule an appointment with the Cranial/Facial Program at Primary Children's to see if he needs to wear a helmet. A little nervous about that, but we will see...

Coolest Thing Ever...

2010-01-06T20:12:00.003-07:00

So I went to the jazz game Monday night with my Ryan, my Dad, and my Brother-in-Law Mark. My dad had received some special tickets to the Executive Club Suite...where all the ritsy peeps go. (They even have a dress code!) Anyway, as we were walking around the hall on the suites level before the game, I glanced up casually at a small group coming towards us. And who do I see? The Prophet!! Yes, the Man, President Monson. And he even said HI to us as we passed. WOW! This was actually my VERY first time seeing an apostle face to face...let alone a prophet! I didn't really process the whole experience until he was already past us...but it was amazing. That itself made my whole night, but the whole experience was so much fun. A gourmet dinner and waiters serving you through the game, and dessert during half time. Thanks DAD!!

Beckam is Four Months Old...

2009-11-13T21:51:00.006-07:00

Beckam is four months old...wow! Time Flies. The past couple months have been so much fun with our little buddy. I just can't believe how much he has grown. He had his Dr. checkup yesterday and everything is still going great. He weighs 13.1 pounds and he is 26+ inches long. So he is still kind of a light-weight but he sure has grown in height (4 inches in the past two months). He has such a personality now and he makes us laugh everyday. Now that he has more control over his hands, he is sucking his thumb every chance he gets (little stinker!). I thought it was really cute at first but now it is constantly in his mouth. He definitely has a stubborn personality in him because he cries when I pull it out and then sticks it right back in.

Beckam has also discovered his voice the last couple of weeks. I love it, I think it is so entertaining. He likes to jabber the most when he is in kind of a frustrated mood so he pulls the funniest faces as he growls. He's pretty good at carrying on a conversation with us back and forth. Here is part of our conversation one night.

He is so much fun to play with, especially when you get him to laugh. I try everything to make him laugh because it makes me so happy. He loves to have his diaper changed, he loves baths, and he loves to be tickled and talked to.

We love our little Beckam so, so much. Ryan and I think he is the cutest little thing ever (every parent should think the same thing though). We have had so much fun having you in our lives and can't wait for all of the memories to come.

Halloween

2009-11-06T11:47:00.005-07:00

Does anyone else think that Halloween is the strangest holiday ever? Don't get me wrong, I love it! But seriously, who started this tradition of kids dressing up in outrageous costumes and going door to door collecting candy from every house in the neighborhood. It's just weird when you think about it. Nevertheless, we had a good time with our little man this year. He was a little bumble bee as you can see. We didn't collect any candy because obviously it would just be for Ryan and I, but we did go along trick-or-treating with my nieces around the neighborhood just for the experience. It's crazy to think that next year Beckam will be walking and talking next year for the holidays.

And don't you just love this face? This is Beckam's best Halloween scary face.

Cancun

2009-11-05T22:38:00.007-07:00

Cancun was so much fun. It was different having a baby along for the ride, but it was an awesome trip with my family. Beckam had his first plane ride, first time out of the country, and the first time to the pool and the beach. He was really good considering the huge transition in daily activities and weather. It was fun to make all of those memories with him.

We had a pretty large group with three kids and seven adults all week so we took it really easy. No sightseeing, touring, or any of that jazz. Just a bit of R&R and a whole lot of soaking up the sun. We had access to several other resorts where we'd either spend the day at the pool, beach, or a little of each. Ryan and I also went scuba diving one day. It was the first time each of us had gone since getting certified and it was awesome (other than me getting sea sick in between our dives and having to jump off the boat while dry-heaving. That, not so much fun but it was really neat). Our first dive was an 80 ft deep shipwreck and the second was a 50 ft reef dive. Saw lots of cool creatures.

All in all we had a great time. Ate A LOT of guacamole. And it was so hard coming home to snow!!

I'm the one on the left.

Beckam pretty much sweat all week because he still had to be swaddled in 90 degree weather.

This is on the porch of our timeshare.

Beckam's first swim.

5K Run

2009-10-31T11:20:00.005-06:00

So I ran my first race this September. Ok, so it was only a 5K but that was en0ugh for me. I am so out of shape! It was a lot of fun though. Luckily, Brit was in town that weekend so she ran it with Brooke and I along with Steph and Ruthanne from work. Thanks to Steph for talking me into it cuz you know I wouldn't do it on my own. I ended up running it just under 40 minutes ( I was just happy that I finished!). Then, we all celebrated by going to Jeremiah's for breakfast. Oh what fun to stuff our faces after an early morning run!

Another great video to make your day!

2009-10-16T19:30:00.002-06:00

Beckam's Blessing

2009-09-25T19:17:00.005-06:00

We blessed Beckam this last Sunday. It turned out to be a great day. I was really nervous during Sacrament meeting because he was pretty fussy and of course got the hiccups! Luckily as soon as Ryan took him up to the front he settled down (I could still hear his hiccups in the mic but I don't think anyone else could). My dad said that he peaked at Beckam during the blessing and he was just staring up at everyone holding him. So cute! Ryan gave a beautiful blessing, I was so happy. I just couldn't believe that we were blessing OUR child. I have been to many baby blessings but never thought about what it would be like to be blessing my own baby. It's great to have a day to celebrate him with all of our family and friends.

Summer Pics

2009-09-25T18:49:00.003-06:00

Beckam is almost 12 weeks old already! So crazy. We have really started seeing some personality from our little bud the past few weeks. I just love his smile and I have ALMOST got him to laugh. Every week gets better and I just can't believe how much he has grown. We had to take him to Primary Children's Hospital a few weeks ago to ultrasound his hips because breach babies are folded in half so much that they can develop his displasia. Everything looked good though, yay! We just love our little boy!

Newborn Pictures

2009-08-16T14:40:00.003-06:00

So, here are some of the adorable pics of our little boy. He was seriously such a stinker to take pictures of...I have tried on three or four different occasions but he does not like cooperate. I still need to find time to edit another group of pics so more to come. A huge thanks to Cathy Wall and Shalee Nay for being so willing and patient with us. I just love them...I couldn't have captured these moments without your talents. Thank you so much, I will always treasure having them!!

Little Rascal

2009-07-19T17:57:00.003-06:00

So, we have made it two weeks. Probably the most trying two weeks of my life, but it is all worth it. When I am up for the third time in the middle of the night and just want to scream, little Beckam will bust out his adorable smile and I can't help but just love him. Can you blame me? His big grin is just the cutest thing ever. He pulls the funniest faces when he is falling asleep. It's just a good thing that he is so cute in order to compensate for all of his stinker moments (and there are a lot of them). Like when I am changing his diaper and he pees all over himself and me...and then he does it again during the same diaper change and it looks like I peed all over myself. Or like when we tried to take cute naked baby pictures and he just HATES to be naked so we waited for hours trying to settle him down but as soon as we try to pose him he would wake up screaming. Ya, it's a good thing!

Pics of Beckam

2009-07-14T14:52:00.003-06:00

Beckam Dean Ward

2009-07-11T15:07:00.005-06:00

Ready or not, little Beckam joined our family Sunday night. We went up to the family cabin for the 4th of July (against my doctor's wishes might I add :) and I started having contractions Sunday morning up there. Didn't think too much of it though. I had an appointment on Thursday before we left and I was dilated to a 3 cm and 80 % effaced but I just thought there was NO way that I would go into labor 2 1/2 weeks early. The contractions were uncomfortable but bearable and we were headed home that day anyway. So we went along with the day, packed up and headed home.

After unloading the car, I debated back and forth of whether to even go into the hospital but finally decided to just go in to get checked. I thought FOR SURE that they would be sending me home, but very little did I know that I was dilated to a 5 and ready to go!! The nurse called my doctor and said they wanted me ready for surgery in a half hour...so off we went! Within about an hour of going into the hospital, little Beckam was here to see us.

What a shock!! It all just felt like a dream. None of it seemed real but at the same time it was such a crazy, amazing experience. Recovery from the C-section has been great the last couple of days. The morphine made me pretty sick in the hospital but since getting off of it, pain management has been fine. I am still working on posting pics because I don't have internet at my house...but they are coming!

Stubborn Beckam

2009-06-25T11:21:00.002-06:00

So, I went in for my weekly check last week and I was already dilated to 1-2 cm. Good right? Well it would be IF little Beckam wasn't still breach. He is being a little stinker already! So I came home and tried a bunch a different "techniques" to turn a baby. I had it all going on: propped my bum up on pillows, put an ice pack by his head, and had a flashlight and music down by my lower regions to coax him to turn. Well it hasn't worked yet but I haven't given up all hope. The problem is that he is quickly running out of room as he grows bigger. I go in for another check tomorrow and we will check him ultrasound to see if there is any way for my Dr. to turn him manually. If not, I will most likely be scheduling my delivery date for a C-section in about three weeks.

Pregnant Golfer

2009-06-07T16:18:00.006-06:00

So I have made it golfing twice this summer and I did better than I thought I would. The first time out is always a little rusty but I must have had beginner's luck. I'm sure it was a sight to see a prego girl get up to tee but Beckam and I were a good team together. The first round was a lot better than my second, so I'm not sure if I will be attempting it again before Beckam gets here or not. Good times though.

Lumber-Jack Ryan

2009-06-07T16:12:00.003-06:00

And so the yard work continues. This month's project: removing 50 year old trees towering over the car port. Progress report: we have it down to a human size stump but discovered that that was the easy part. Do you know how big 50 year old tree roots are under the ground? Not to mention that they creep under a huge cement slab going into the backyard. Get Er' Done Ry!!

10 weeks to go!

2009-05-10T20:55:00.003-06:00

Mother's Day and Updated Prego Pics.

Ryan just wants to be like me so much! The last couple of months, he has been known to have husband sympathy pregnancy symptoms like being SO tired or having an extra large appetite.

To make a house a home

2009-04-05T18:24:00.014-06:00

We finally have a few rooms set up in our house now. It's still a work in progress, but we have come a long way, just compare them to the before pics a few posts ago. Carpet is finally finished upstairs AND down. Blinds are in as well as kitchen appliances and furniture. I'm still working on the bedrooms and nursery...but I will keep adding updates as they are finished. And there is Audi, our dog in the first pic. I love her!

Living Room

Kitchen:

Prego Update

2009-04-05T18:24:00.008-06:00

So here are few progress pics. Slowly getting fatter! This first one was at 17 weeks on Valentine's Day.

And this one was taken just a few days ago at 24 weeks.

So for those of you who haven't already heard, we are having a BOY! We are so excited. I am 24 weeks along now, and he has been moving around like crazy. It's so much fun. And I have finally started buying some thing for his nursery. Last week I ordered the crib, changing table, and bedding. The colors on this bib are pretty similar to the bedding that I ordered...orange, blue, brown, and a little bit of green. And then we saw sock monkeys everywhere. In fact, I almost bought monkey bedding at Pottery Barn but I thought that I might get sick of it so I opted for just the accessory instead. Remember these? I had one of my own growing up, they are classic! I am totally not a shopper...ask anyone, but I really like shopping for baby stuff. ( I still have a limit Brooke, don't get too excited).

Newport Beach

2009-03-19T16:50:00.003-06:00

We had a blast in Newport with our friends Trent and Jenna Boyer...a much needed vacation. The weather was perfect and we even came home a little sunburned (only to be welcomed by another snow storm)! We went to San Diego one day to see all the animals at the zoo (this monkey was my favorite), we rented bikes and rode all along the beaches in Newport, and we just did a lot of relaxing at the beach and by the pool. So much fun! I also experienced Sprinkles Cupcakes for the first time thanks to Jenna. Good friends, good food, good location, good times.

Ryan is Officially BANNED from Church-Ball

2009-02-22T13:15:00.005-07:00

Last time Ryan played Church Basketball, he ended up with his kneecap on the back side of his leg. He played again yesterday with a very colorful ankle. I told him if he plays again, he needs full leg-length braces to protect himself!

Our New House

2009-02-22T12:36:00.003-07:00

BEFORE PICS

Ok, so we are not living here yet due to some unfinished projects, but SOON! We are hoping to be living there by the end of next week after we get some cabinet work done in the kitchen. Still to be done: blinds, carpet torn out and re-laid (ugh!), and then decorating of course. So here are some before pics right after we bought it. I will post some of the afters this week once we get more settled. We are 4272 S Jefferson pretty close to south jr. high.

Life Changes for the Wards

2008-12-24T11:59:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I haven't posted for awhile...but life has been crazy this last month! Lots of changes. First of all, we moved out of our townhome and in with my parents. It's a FULL house! Brooke and Mark are here for the month also, and Casey and Brit are coming tonight. Oh what fun it is. So remember the big blizzard last Friday? Ya, we were moving our whole house that day. We put an offer on a house in South Ogden just a couple of streets west of South Ogden Jr. High (or a couple streets east of Hilltop Lanes) on Jefferson. It's an old house but it's all remodeled so we are getting excited for that. We close near the end of January. And to top it off...Ryan and I are pregnant!! It's so crazy. We were both pretty shocked but we are very excited. I am just trying to wrap my brain around it still. Feeling pretty good though...just have to eat like every hour and rest in-between the madness. So there you have it for now...Have a merry christmas everyone!!!

Audi's Smile

2008-11-10T13:15:00.001-07:00

So ever since she was a puppy, our dog has done this "smile" whenever she gets really excited or she gets in trouble. At first glance, it looks like a mean snarl. But she's not mean, she just wants to smile at you. So Ryan and I tried to capture it on video so everyone can get a good laugh. She was a little confused by the camera so it's not giving you the full effect, but it's close. Sorry it's sideways...I'm still learning how to do this stuff.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Tribute to Grandpa...

2008-10-12T14:59:00.005-06:00

Most of you already know that I lost my Grandpa a few weeks ago. Even though it was blessing for him to leave his weary body, it is still a hard process for those left behind. I will miss seeing him sitting in his chair with a wry grin on his face when I walk in Grandma and Grandpa's house. He would always tell each girl that she was his favorite. (I know where my dad gets it from). His homemade soup and quick wit are treasures to be missed. He truly was a talented man in both music and art. I feel like I cannot give a tribute any better than my sister's. So I encourage you, if you haven't already, to read her tribute posted on her blog, thereddfam@blogspot.com. I do, however, want to include his message to us. My grandpa left us all with some words of advice that I think everyone can benefit from. If you never knew my Grandpa, this will give you a little taste of his adorable personality that I will miss so much. His last words of advice to all of us, from the final pages of his Life History:

"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

A time to blow you chorus

and a time to put your horn away.

A time to paint your masterpiece

and a time to put your brushes away.

A time to be born

and a time to die.

I, Russell Dean Shepherd, realizing that I have reached the ending of my life do lay my pen aside and make an end of my writings. Peace be with you my friend, and I will see you in a season or so. In the meantime, some advice...

LOVE thyself.

You cannot LOVE someone else if you cannot love thyself.

LOVE your loved ones with an unconditional and charitable LOVE and care for one another.

Family is your most prized possession.

LOVE your fellow men.

And LOVE the gospel of Jesus Christ and make it an important part of your life.

LOVE IS THE SECRET!

Click your Heels, pull the curtain, and put out the light.

I AM OUT OF HERE!

This is the last day, my friend!

...I THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER END!"

the Zoo!

2008-08-19T22:00:00.004-06:00

How cute is that face?

So, we had a family outing to the zoo! I hadn't been forever so it was lots of fun, especially with the nieces. I love those monkeys. Doesn't it make you want to take one home? And how about those elephant bums? Hey, you gotta work with what you are given.

Summer Fun

2008-07-30T19:03:00.008-06:00

Here is our fun vacation for the summer. Well, actually it was during Memorial Day weekend but this is about all we have done since then. So much fun going with our friends! We had a few complainers during the hike to the arches but it was my first time there so it was very cool. How can you live in Utah and never actually see the famous sites?! Ya, that was me. That was my first trip to Moab, let alone going to the Arches National Park. We also went on some good four-wheeling rides and checked out the "rock crawler" jeeps going up some insane canyons. Have you ever watched them? So entertaining! So intense!! I was scared to death watching them but I loved every second it.

My darling niece, Cienna Claire

2008-07-13T20:34:00.009-06:00

Luckily, I was able to fly up to Nova Scotia before my sister had her second little girl, Cienna Claire. I flew in on Thursday and then Brooke was induced the next day, March 30th. It was the most amazing thing to be there. She is so precious and beautiful. What a miracle!