Utah Cousins

Sunday morning we went to sacrament meeting in Moab, UT and then headed straight to American Fork, UT - where there were cousins!!!  We were able to spend the afternoon with the Ernst family.  The kids played, but on a show and just had a great time being with friends!  When it was time to go - the kids were ready to do a family swap - Easton wanted to be around BOYS and Aparri wanted to be around more GIRLS!! But, in the end, everyone stayed with their original families - they aren't old enought yet, but next time....I wouldn't be surprised if someone stowed  away!!

Mesa Verde

 

Our First "official" stop on our summer trip was Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez, CO. (We actually stopped in Albuquerque  last night,  got sushi and stayed the night!! Then drove the rest of the way to Cortez, CO today).  Clay remembered seeing Mesa Verde National Park as a child and thought that it was neat and worth the stop, and it was!  When we first entered the park we had to drive a ways to get to the cliff dwellings.   Part way there, we were forced to stop...several cars were just stopped in the road taking pictures...how rude!  At first we were extremely annoyed, but then we realized they were taking pictures of some bears - a mama and cub that were on the side of the road...and within seconds we became one of those annoying cars stopped in the road taking pictures!  They were litereally - RIGHT THERE  beside the road.  After we were done with the bears, we continued on and finally got to the spot to see the cliff homes.  But, they a little bit of a hike down to get to them.  It was hot and down hill was fine....but coming back up was a little slow going!  The cliffs themselves, were fascinating.  It is neat to see what people can create and live in - in the side of a cave!  We got to climb down into an underground room and it was sooooo much cooler down there, but still pretty light too.  There were different levels of building - they literally used every inch of space in the cliff.   After one stop, we were ready to go...off to Moab, UT to spend the night!

 

 

Recent Family Picture...

Space Derby

 

Well the Ward Boys pretty much like anything that goes into the air ... rockets, planes, fireworks - so when we heard about the cub scout space derby - the boys were super excited and wanted to participate!  Preston and CJ both worked hard on their rockets.  Both rockets turned out great and both got 1st place in their respective dens!  Preston got 1st place in the wolves and CJ got first place in the Weblos.  Good job boys!

 

Keepin' Cool in the Pool!

 

We love the pool!!! As soon as school is out and summer is in - you will most likely find us in the water at the pool!  We spent many summer afternoons keeping cool in the pool. 

 

4th of July BASH

 

Our friends, the Holman Family, were gracious enought to invited us to their annual fourth of July pool, bouncy house, dinner, and firework party!  It was soooo much fun.  There was food galore, friends everywhere, things to do, people to talk to and fun to be had all night long!  Clay kept the kids entertained by throwing them around the pool, Detric only lasted a few minutes in the pool and then he was Laura's companion as we talked and socialized.  Then Detric and his little buddy discovered the bounce houses and cupcakes!   It was the party of the year!  The kids were good to go all night long.  They didn't slow down at all!  I think Aparri turned into a fish - she was in that pool well into dark and right up to the moment we left!  We left the party around 9:00 pm.  Afterwhich, we headed over to the Hickman family, who had to leave early from the party (they have a brand new baby) and so we decided to save our fireworks and shoot them off with them.  So, the Hickmans, Yates, and Ward families had a firework party at the Hickman's until about 10.  The boys had a great time shooting off all the fireworks - I swear they are all pyros...from Clay, Jared, and Dave on down to the male kids who would laugh and grin as the exposions went off!  The women sat back and watched the show and prayed that no one would lose an eye, finger, or anything else during the manly fun!  When fireworks were all gone, the boys were sad, but exhaustion finally won out and it was time to head home.  Happy fourth everyone!!