CJ's Baptism

We are so proud of CJ!  On March 2, 2013 he chose to be baptized and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He was baptized by his father, Clay.  We had lots of family and friends come support CJ.  Clay and Laura made a special video of the kids from our ward that were being baptized on the same day.  MaKenna Armstrong's grandma presented CJ with a jar of white marbles to remind him to stay as pure and clean like the white marbles.  Julie Gragg, CJ's aunt, sent him a CTR towel to use after he was baptized.  CTR... Commandments, Take upon Jesus' name, Remember him.

 

CJ was confirmed by his father, Clay.  Grandpa Stan Ward, Grandpa Stan Smith, and Uncle Trevor Rands were all in the circle to confirm CJ.

A Good Weekend

 

On Saturday, March 2 or oldest son, CJ, was baptized.  On Sunday, March 3, our youngest son, Detric was blessed.  It was a great weekend full of family, fun, and special experiences.  We enjoyed seeing all of you who were able to make it and share this special weekend with us!

CJ's Special Birthday

 CJ had a full day on his big 8th Birthday!  The day started with breakfast in bed!  Not early enough however!! Laura thought that he would enjoy sleeping in a little on his birthday..oh no.  1/2 way through her shower, Laura hears a loud, knock, knock, knock on the bathroom door...and yells "YES??"  CJ props the door open and asks, "Where is my breakfast?"  Laura reassured him that she would get right on it as soon as she got out of the shower!  (Now..it is like 6:15 am mind you...in case you were wondering how "late" Laura was letting him sleep!)  For breakfast, CJ requested homemade wheat toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and juice.  As is normal with CJ... he ate hardly any of it!  I guess he was saving up for lunch. (CJ has never been a very good breakfast eater, even as a little baby.)  Since it was spirit week at school, the lucky birthday boy got to wear his PJ's to school!  Then, as a treat he brought donuts to his school mates, but they got put in the classroom until after lunch!  The teacher waits until just before time to go home to sugar up the kids -smart lady!  Nana and Papa flew in and took CJ out to lunch.  He could pick wherever he wanted to go. He picked Olive Garden.  (Both Preston and Becky were disappointed that they couldn't go too!)  CJ likes the salad, but he LOVES the breadsticks and alfredo dipping sauce.  I think Nana and Papa said they lost count somewhere around 14.  Then they brought out a big birthday brownie, sang to him, and then CJ finished off the brownie. On the way back to school, Nana and Papa said that CJ was looking a little green in the back seat!  CJ said that he was planning on going back to school and just hand out donuts, but he wasn't going to eat one - SAD! 

As the day progessed, more people arrived ...Grandma and Papa Ward, Leslie and Trevor & the kids. (Becky was supposed to come late Friday night, but surprised us Wednesday afternoon instead!!!).  For dinner, CJ picked confederate bean soup, his favorite.  This year CJ picked a "store bought" cake instead of one of Laura's masterpieces. (Laura was a little bummed...she likes creating the kid's cakes!)  His cake of choice was a marble cake, with strawberry filling, topped with whipped frosting.  He also requested that it have 8 lego star wars figures on top - 8 of them, since it is his 8th birthday of course!   Happy Birthday CJ!  We love you!

George

Look who came to our house to visit!  George Washington!  The kids were supposed to pick someone from history they wanted to dress up as...Preston chose George Washington.  He put together the out fit all by himself.  Mom, however,  helped him with the hair!  When Laura went to take pictures of him, she said, "look over here Preston"  and he would move his head but keep his eyes partly closed.. so she would repeat again, "Preston, look over here...and OPEN YOUR EYES."  To this, Preston said, "No Mom... look at George Washington..he eyes are like this...." and he would squint.  So, when Laura thought Preston was not listening or not wanting to cooperate for a picture...oh no Preston knew what he was doing and he was being the perfect George Washington all the way down to the squinty eyes....always in character...what a man!

The Ward Four

 

Grinning Ear to Ear

Detric is such a fun baby.  At 3 weeks old, he was rolling over.  At first we thought it was just a fluke, but then he did it several times on several different days but then nothing since...so fluke or not we have been really careful with him on beds, couches, etc.!  Detric's smiles however have NOT gone away...he is such a happy, smiley baby.  If you talk to him, he lights up and smiles these huge grins at are incredible.  It is hard to get through the grocery store because any lady who talks to him is thrilled because she got him to smile!  It is such a pleasure to have such a happy little man!  If you have to wake up early in the morning and take care of a little man...boy it sure makes it easy when he is grinning at you from ear to ear and just happy to see you!