Ward Family Happenings: June 2010

\Well, we made it home from our 2 1/2 week vacation. It was a long trip with LOTS of traveling but we had a great time. Harrison is a great traveler and while we were gone he got a very high fever (over 102), a cold, allergies and pink eye! It made for a few long days and nights, but overall we had a great time and enjoyed seeing so much family.
Our trip started in Ohio and we spent days hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Ward and Uncle Jeff, Aunt Steph and little Stratt. The weather was not the greatest when we got there so we spent a lot of time playing in the Florida room doing Harrison's favorite thing...blowing bubbles.

Hours of bubble blowing so we all took turns. Grandma was the most patient and loved blowing bubbles. He would constantly ask for "bubbles" and then he would say "pop" as he popped all the bubbles he could.

He noticed the tractor in the yard and was instantly in love. We don't have one so this is his first time on a tractor. I know Daddy is jealous because they bought this after he left for college. Daddy had to use a push mower to mow! Sorry Daddy!

Then he found some sort of lawn decoration and loved it. It was really heavy and after Grandma washed it off, he wanted to kiss it and carry it around. It was pretty funny and that thing is not the prettiest.

Harrison was a great helper and always wanted to make sure Stratt had his toys. He didn't like when I was holding Stratt, but other than that, he had a great time playing with him.

They played at the park together...

And I tried to get Harrison to do some tummy time with him but I could hardly get him to lay on his back! Pointing to Stratt's head...he loves to point while everyone names everything around him.

And of course Harrison had to give love. He really enjoyed his time with his little cousin and I can't wait to see them running around together one day!

Then our travels continued to Chicago and Harrison and I drove with Grandma and Grandpa to see Uncle Tyson, Aunt Kelli and their newest addition Alpha. The boys enjoyed some video games while the rest of us tried to rest.

We thought it would be fun to get Harrison to the Lincoln Park Zoo and he did enjoy it for a little while. I think the cows were one of his favorites.

He always seems to have a thing for Gorilla's too.

And he can even touch the fake ones.

Cute little Alpha. She is so tiny and still has so much personality. Harrison really took to her and loved to help her too. I think he wanted to steal her swing, but it was so sweet watching how gentle he was with her.

I always joke that Harrison has Hobbit feet (minus the hair!) because his feet are shaped like boxes. It is so hard to find shoes-I just buy wide ones now-that fit him. Then after seeing Alpha's little feet I was amazing! My child really does have huge feet. Her little feet look so tiny and delicate and he looks like he might crush her! Good thing he is gentle!

Then after a weekend in the city, my parents came and picked us up and we headed out to the suburbs.
My dad recently fulfilled a dream about 30 years in the making. Some may know that my dad is a motorcycle guy. He had a bike a soon as he could drive and has had several bikes. Then about 30 years ago, my dad's bike was stolen. Since my parent's were having kids and had a lot going on, it was not practical to buy a new one so my dad waited...and waited...and waited. I always said I would buy him his Harley if I came into a lot of money. I remember telling Jeff this and when he said that was great, I loved him even more. It has been a dream of my dad for SOOO long that it was pretty amazing when around Christmas time, he started looking and in April, he bought his Harley. I was so excited for him and so the night, we got into town, I got to take my first ride. It was great!

This was Harrison's favorite place that he shouldn't be at Grandma and Grandpa Willerth's house. Whenever he was out of sight, this was the first place to check. He does look very professional though!

They babies out on Grandpa's bike. They didn't go for any rides of course, but did enjoy being up on the bike.

The weather was beautiful and we spent a lot of time outside. It was great and I really enjoyed the break from the TX heat! Grandma was keeping the dogs at bay so that the boys could enjoy playing.

They love the sand. Talon is about 5 weeks younger then Harrison so they really have a great time and I just wish he was able to spend more time with his cousin.

And of course, Harrison is an animal lover. He had an awful runny nose for most of the trip and I really hope is was a cold and not an allergy to the dog...I guess we will find out some day. But for now, he just loves the dogs.

And of course, bubbles. I know they are hard to see in this picture, but I know that if they were crowding around me, it was because we were blowing bubbles.

What would a trip to see the cousins be without the classic bathtub shot. Not the best faces but I was going for modesty!

And some great piano playing. What a trio. Gage is a great teacher...he keeps 2 1 1/2 year olds entertained. I can't even do that.

And then there was pool time. They babies didn't really like the big pool so they played in a little pool and had a good time.

And Harrison found the tractor at another Grandma and Grandpa's house. He was not very excited to share his tractor...

so once Talon was off, I actually got him to smile.

Then the neighbor had a large truck. Both the babies stood there and stared for so long. They kept inching closer to the truck and I had to pull them back a few times.

Finally most of us made it in the pool and we had a great time. They babies seemed to like the pool more when their mom's were with them.

Love that face. He really loves the water.

After getting the babies out, the fun really began. Some people thought it would be fun to use the water gun and get those of us sitting on the deck wet. Well, we couldn't stand for that, so out came the hose. My mom has some good aim!

Harrison enjoyed watching the show. I'm not really sure who won, everyone was soaking wet by the end.

Some day...

Grandpa taking Gage out for a ride...those boys loved the bike and of course, Grandpa loves to take it out for rides!

I tried to take some pictures for my sister since Talon just hit his 18 month mark. It was about to rain and he wasn't very excited to pose, so we didn't get many shots, but it was fun.

I love what he does with his mouth. He is always making this face and most of the time, he sticks out his tongue too.

If the tractor and a motorcycle weren't enough, we have a four wheeler now. There is so much to do!

Distracted driver...

Trying to get 5 boys to look at the camera at the same time...not quite sure it is possible.

These are the 5 grandsons (no grand daughters) that are on the Willerth side of the family. And they are even in age order.

Pretty soon it was time to head home. It was a long trip and we had a great time visiting, but we were glad to come home! Daddy was happy to see us and I was done with airplanes and long car trips!

Apparently, Harrison was glad to be home and really was tired after a long vacation.