New Years with the Ward Family

After a week in Childress a great Christmas we drove home to Houston and then flew to Salt Lake early the next morning.

Well, I should specify that we were SUPPOSSED to fly out on the 29th at 6:25 AM. Our gracious neighbor Myles offered us a ride at 4:30 and we told him we would call him when we were ready and he could come get us. Well, as things turned out I had the unfortunate luck of switching the AM and PM on the alarm clock when I was setting it the night before. We ended up sleeping until 6:30 and waking up to Myles knocking on our front door. Needless to say we were all in a panic trying to get to the airport in record time.

Once at the airport Southwest was so gracious to us and without paying an extra fee we were able to fly stand-by on the next available flight to SLC. The next flight had a lay over in Denver and there was only one open seat. We made a quick decision to split up and I took Jace and off we went to Denver. I know I am a wuss but it was so hard to leave Kevin and Conner. I knew they would both be fine and we would meet later that night in SLC. I have never been away from Conner for more than a couple hours and we have never split the boys up before. It was such a weird and nice experience. I really enjoyed being able to spend some one on one time with Jace and give him my full attention, but I think we both missed the other half of our family.

Kevin ended up staying in Houston for another couple hours waiting for an open flight. He finally ended up going to Las Vegas and then we met each other in SLC around 5:30 that night. It was a really long day and we vowed to never again book a flight that leaves before the sun rises!!!

Once back home in Utah we settled in quick. We had a family dinner that night with amy brother and both sisters. Everyone loved the boys and all the funny things they do. No one could believe how grown up they had become. We opened a few presents that night. We gave my family a scrapbook of the boys 1st year and they gave us a new upconverting DVD player (that works wonderfully and we really appreciate) as well as a couple cookbooks. The boys got some fun books on animals and things that go. They just loved having so many people around to read them stories. I loved it as well.

Jace on his tractor with his present

Aunt Julie reading to Conner
Conner opening mom's cookbook

While in Utah we did all kinds of fun things. Kevin and my brother, Trent, found a great fishing spot and braved the cold weather to see if they could find some fish. It was cold but they actually found a couple.

We went up to my family's farm and rode snowmobiles. The boys weren't so sure what to think of the snowmobiles but after a little warm up they did okay. They also loved seeing my dads horses and touching them. After being outside for awhile they got cold and so they went in to play with Grandma while Kevin, me, Trent, and my dad went for a snowmobile drive. We had a great ride and I enjoyed seeing the beautiful Utah surroundings again (can I say how much I miss the mountains...) On our way back to the farm Kevin hit a slippery curve and lost control. He bailed off the machine just as it went down the side of the mountain and into the next tree. It wasn't a very fun ending to a good day but we accidents just seem to happen that way. Luckily he wasn't hurt and my dad was able to tow the snowmobile back to the farm. I just hope it is fixable.

Mom and Jace

Dad and Conner

Conner and the horse

The boys loved the snow. Grandma got them some snowpants and we spent some time next door going sledding and just playing in the snow. They loved flopping themselves down into it and throwing it. My mom and dad also have a border collie dog that the boys couldn't resist. They spent a lot of time chasing the dog around the living room or outside. Lucky for that dog the boys can't even get close to catching him but they sure have fun trying.

My family loves to play board games and so I think we stayed up past midnight just about each night. We played Phase 10 Twist, Settlers, Clue, and anything else anyone could find. It was so much fun to spend time with everyone.


Before leaving we made sure to visit our good friends Ryan and Jill Coil and their adorable new baby Lexi. She is such a sweetheart and made me long to hold my new baby coming in May.



Thanks Mom and Dad for all the fun times. We always love coming and visiting. You make it a real vacation!!