Pool Playground

 

 

 

 

 The Ward Crew can't stay at a hotel and NOT get in the pool...that just wouldn't be right!  So, no matter how tired we are, how late it is, how cold it is outside....we are in the pool!  Thank goodness the pool was indoor this time and heated!  But, we eventually found our way to the hot tub, where we were able to get Amy in!!! Well, her ankles at least!  I'm sure Papa would have jumped in first and done the biggest cannon ball - but his arm is in a cast and he was banned from the pool...next time!  So, Papa was our official photographer!  Everyone slept well after a good dip in the pool!

 

Real or Rumor?

You don't get any more extraterrestrial than Roswell!  Aliens line the street, museums greet us, and gift shops welcome our money! The World may never know if the happenings in Roswell, New Mexico are real or just plain rumors.  But fact or faux, we had a great time introducing our Ward Parents to the town!   Mom and Dad Ward can now say their trip to New Mexico is complete....they visited Roswell! Check.

Papa & Grandma are Here

 

 

 

Papa and Grandma came to visit!  We had so many adventures!  We went on a roadtrip to Roswell to see the famous New Mexico aliens, then headed to Carlsbad where we explored the caverns,  stayed in a hotel where we splish slashed until late, back at the home front we  celebrated Aparri's birthday, played games, and enjoyed Stan and Amy!  The time went way too quickly, when it came time for them to leave and catch their flight, we tried to kidnap them so they would "miss their flight" and be forced to stay longer!  Unfortunately, Stan and Amy got through the handcuffs and made it to the airport on time...we will have to work on our kidnapping skills for next year! 

 

 

not Tooo old....yet

Yes, I guess we have to admit, we are getting older...our bodies remind us daily of the increasing number of grey hairs, the aches and pains that have begun, but that being said.... we are still young enough to get our sledding boots on!  Oh yeah.  Clay and Laura also enjoyed the sledding hill.  However, after a few runs and few good slams on the rump in the hard snow after "catching air."  We were naturally reminded of our age and weren't too disappointed to simply watch, video and cheer on our children....

the HILL

 

Down the street from the Ward House, lives a man who is a builder.  He is lucky enough to own a small tractor - we are lucky enough to live close by!  Because with that tractor, after every "Good"  snow storm, he builds a sledding hill in front of his house for the neighborhood to enjoy - and enjoy we did!  I think we lived on that hill for 3 days straight!  It's not the biggest sledding hill you've ever seen, but with the ages of our kids- it was perfect!  It was big enough, that we got enough speed to get a thrill, a little jump to catch air, but  small enough to climb up each time and not get too tired, and small enough that no one got hurt or was too scared to go down.  CJ, Preston, and Aparri went up and down that hill for hours!  Even little Detric took a few turns sliding down the hill!  The kids couldn't get enough...the sun going down, and freezing toes and fingers were the only things that finally dragged the kids away each day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tired after math of a long afternoon of sledding!

 

Getting Around the White Stuff

During some of the winter weather, Clay had to sleep on base for "extreme weather plan executions"....where his MAD snow skills were put to good use!  Being from Idaho, the white stuff isn't a threat - oh no, it is an invitation to have fun!  During his duties..he helped transport people that couldn't drive to and from work in the snow, helped people get unstuck, and he even helped get the snow plow unstuck!  Laura thought that was pretty hilarious!  However, Laura couldn't laugh too hard, because while Clay was on base saving the day- Laura didn't dare drive anywhere...no way! After her wreck a few years ago, Laura doesn't have the most positive relationship with driving and snow. She had visions of getting stuck in some ditch somewhere with 4 kids, surrounded by snow, freezing to death...no thank you!   So for a few days, Laura and the kids walked everywhere they had to go!  Laura used the 2 oldest kids as the muscle for the sleds and the 2 youngest kids in tow!   When Clay was able to make it home- he decided it was time to get Laura back on the horse.  So...  He gave her, her own, personal, one-on-one snow driving lesson!  The location of choice was the church parking lot - where we purposely got stuck - and Clay taught Laura how to maneuver out.  We spun cookies (Clay says the best way to learn is get in it and just drive and have fun....become one with the snow!)  Laura was nervous, but after her session with Professor Ward, she feels a little more confident and has a better, healthier relationship with the white stuff (doesn't quite hate it so much!).  She is actually looking forward to the next snow storm so she can try out her newly acquired skills!