A "Ward" family Christmas Tradition

As a child, we always looked forward to making these advent calendars every year. This was the first year I thought Cole was old enough to actually be able to cut 24 links and glue them all together and boy was I impressed. He whipped out 2 of these chains in less then an hour (he made one for him and one for his sister). He was so excited and couldn't wait to start tearing a link off each day of December. I hope this is a tradition my kids will carry on!


 
 
 
 

The finished product
 

Snip, Snip

Time for Olivia's first haircut. I've been wanting to get it trimmed for awhile now, but Jim wouldn't let me. I think he was afraid I was going to have it all cut off for some reason. A friend of mine recommended a fun, kid friendly place to go. I wasn't overly thrilled with her haircut, but at least she stayed still and let them do their job :-) I still think she is one cute kid!!

On our drive over there.
 
Doesn't she looked thrilled to be there?
 
 
Ta da
 

Our Halloween PG

The PG had our annual Halloween party and this is now the 4th year we've gone to. It's amazing how quickly the kids have grown up and how big they are getting. I always look forward to seeing the kids all dressed up in their costumes...they look so darn cute. This year Cole was Spiderman and Olivia was Minnie Mouse. They were both so excited to dress up and get some candy.

Here's my little man!
 
Minnie Mouse or in Olivia's words, "I be the pretty dress!"
 
Cole decorating his pinata bag
 
Some of the kids. There were so many there, it was hard to get a group shot and fit them all in!
 

Love these two!
 
 

Can you tell Cole was freezing?
 

Here are all of the kids in 2009. Olivia is the fairy in the front that is screaming and Cole was the one and only Michael Jackson.
 

And in 2008.
Here are the babies who were all 2 now. Olivia was just 29 days old. Look at all of that dark hair.
 
These are the "big" kids in 2008.
 

Bishops Pumpkin Farm

Cole's preschool had their field trip to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland. We usually make this a family tradition to go each year, but since Jim was out of town, I took the kids. He has a great class and the other moms and kids are really fun. We all had a great time riding the train, picking out pumpkins and eating all of the yummy treats.

Going down the slide
 
 
Watching the puppet show
 
Riding the train - he loved it!
 

Mommy and Olivia on the train
 
Cole picking out his pumpkin. He wanted this HUGE one but since daddy wasn't there to help us carry it and I had to carry two, he had to settle on a smaller one!
 
Olivia spent the most time picking out her pumpkin. She kept walking and walking farther and farther away picking up different ones until the preschool teacher ran after her and brought her back. I finally convinced her that smaller was better, especially since she was also convinced she was going to carry this pumpkin by herself and wouldn't let me help.
 
Riding the tractor back
 

Wearing his preschool T-Shirt
 
 
 
 

 

Cole's Birthday Weekend

We kicked off Cole's birthday weekend by celebrating with the family on Saturday night. Jim's family made the long drive from Southern California to be with him on his special day. I made dinner for everyone and we had cake and opened presents. Unforunately it was pouring rain (and I mean pouring rain) all weekend so we had to change his birthday party on Sunday from the park to Chuck E. Cheese. I was thankful they still had an opening on the same day at about the same time and Cole was very excited. It worked out great and they had plenty of entertainment to keep the kids busy on a cold and rainy day. Cole had a wonderful birthday and thank you to all of our friends and family who joined us!

Getting ready to open the family presents
 

Not sure who was more excited, Cole or Olivia??
 


 

Gifts from Aunty Kathleen and Aunty Lisa
 

 
 

A motorized F150 from Mommy and Daddy
 

Look at that face, he was so proud to be behind the wheel!!
 

Hanging out with Aunty Kahtleen
 

Boston Creme Pie. Yummmm!
 

 

Make a wish!! Happy Birthday Cole! We love you!!
 

Time for the Birthday Party at Chuck E Cheese!!


Cole and Enrico
 

The Birthday boy wearing his "token crown"
 

Olivia and Marina
 

The Meyer Clan
 
Olivia Shin
 
Emmy Fowler
 
Let's Dance!!
 

Bailey Brown
 
Daddy getting ready to go in the ticket tron...those goggles bringing him back to his lab days. Safety first!!
 
By far my FAVORITE picture from the night. If you could have seen the excitement on his face once he was inside.
 
Daddy and Cole getting ready to go win some big time tickets!!
 

Olivia standing close by wondering what the heck was going on:-)
 

Jim told Cole his technique for catching the most tickets was to lift up his shirt and let the tickets blow inside. It must have worked because they got over 1300 tickets!
 
Go! Go! Go!
 

Mr. Gavin Wood!