Grandma Lane

We went over to Grandma Lane's house for another visit. Jocelynn always asks about Grandma Lane. At one time, we saw an older lady at the store and Jocelynn said "Grandma Lane?" She loves her. I told Grandma I want to start vacuuming (it's too heavy for her now). She says, no honey that's ok. I said "Grandma, I don't want to force or step on your toes but really I want to." She said "Maybe next time dear." I will try again next time and I think she'll give in. My Grandma is very independent and doesn't like to ask for help.

Last week I was a little relaxed on Jocelynn's naps and bedtime. I paid for it this week! Oh man, it took forever to get her to sleep this week. One night it took 2 hours to get her to go to bed. We are officially back on track now. She goes down easy again and mom is happy. This is one of the nights. She insisted on holding her purse to bed so I let her. She was holding on to it for dear life! The more sleep she gets the easier it is for her to go to bed. Yay for sleep!

Orange County Fair 2009

Last Year (2008) - It's hard to believe we just went a year ago. Last year we had a great time and we went to Jessica and Keven's and walked to the fair. We did the same thing this year.

It's amazing how much Jocelynn has grown up in a year.

We went in the evening and it wasn't as hot.

Jocelynn loved the petting zoo. There were deers, goats, baby pigs, llamas. They were so cute and Jocelynn kept squatting close to them.

We were watching a man juggling fire and Jocelynn was very interested also. Look at those cheeks, I want to bite them.

The food and entertainment was the best part of the night. James got a sausage dog and I got sweet potatoe fries. Yum!

Jocelynn loved the fries as you can see.

We had a great time and look forward to going again next year! Afterwards we got to Jessica's and put Jocelynn down and hung out. We always have fun with Jess and Kev!

What's new in the Ward home!

I don't have pictures today but wanted to update with what's new in the Ward house. I have a 2008 book and will have a 2009 of our family. This is kind of like a journal for me so sorry if it's boring.

James hurt his knee at "FHE" at the park Monday playing football with the guys. It's pretty swollen still and he got it checked out. It's a hairline fracture and it'll take weeks to heal. He's wearing a brace and can't bend his knee. He gets it checked in a couple weeks to see if his ACL was torn. I think he will say the worst part is climbing up 3 flights of stairs. I've been ironing his clothes at night and made him lunch for work so he doesn't need to get up and walk on it. I really hope it gets better soon.

Jocelynn asks questions all day long now. It's pretty funny but tiring at the same time. Her three questions are 1.) What r u doing? 2.) What happened? 3.) What is that? She is curious about everything. She is a very smart girl. I love the expressions on her face as she asks the questions. In Utah, my Uncle said something funny and everyone was laughing so hard. She didn't get it and came up to me, her eyebrows close together and palm facing up and said "What happened mom?" I love when she asks the question "what is that?" Her response when I tell her what it is, is always "Oh!"

This morning when she woke up she asks "what is dad doing mom?" I said he is sleeping. She said "Why?" So we have a new question now :) I said because he is tired. . . .(and I am too so don't ask anymore questions :) jk

She needs her bedroom door open to sleep now. I used to be able to walk out of the room and close the door but she insists to keep it open and then she says "Hey mom!!" for about 5 minutes until she knows I'm going to ignore her and falls asleep.

Tantrums are another fun stage we are going through. She has time out when she hits or throws something out of anger. She is a good girl but has some attitude and can be aggressive. I have no idea where she got that from :) She is just very determined and knows what she wants. She enjoys nursery now which is nice for me. She is loving gymnastics and it has been fun taking her and watching her.

James has till the beginning of September off of school. This has been his first break in over a year. It has been wonderful!!!! We are planning to go to Oregon for a couple days in August and we can't wait! I just hope and pray his knee is better so we can hike up some trails to look at the waterfalls.

Family Reunion

My camera died before the reunion began so here are some pictures my sister took. The last reunion we had was 6 years ago. This is my dad's side of the family. Everyone lives all over so it's nice to see each other every reunion. The shirt above my Grandma Gloria designed.

This is Grandpa Ray (my dad's stepdad) and Grandma Gloria. My dad is a lot like his mom. She is full of life and energy. She has had a daycare called "Grandma's Place" for over 25 years. We love her!

Here are 8 of her great granchildren, she has 18 almost 19.

Here's my dad's side, my brothers weren't able to make this one. We missed you guys :(

Here's my dad with his mom and siblings. Uncle Kim, the oldest, passed away about 10 years ago from Lou Gehrigs disease and Aunt Gloria Kay died at birth. We had a great time. We stayed at the University of Utah dorms and the weather was great outside to sit around and talk.

Cousins

Friday I was able to watch my nephew for a few hours while Jeff and Katrina went to a wedding reception. We had a blast! This is Preston. He is so happy, content, and sweet.

Jocelynn just loves her older cousin Christian. She thinks he is so funny and had so much fun playing with him and his toys.

We went outside for an hour to cool down. I always get nervous of sun burns so I drenched them with sunscreen.

We ate snacks outside! What a fun day!

Kips Gymnastics

Jocelynn started gymnastics last Thursday and loved it! She listened and followed directions well. These next couple of months will be fun to watch her.

18 month pictures- UCR Botanical Gardens

A friend and the person I visit teach at church asked if she could take pictures of Jocelynn. It was a beautiful day outside and I think she did a great job! These were taken awhile ago. . . April or May.

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July brings back wonderful memories of growing up. My Grandpa served in Vietnam. Both my husband and father have lived in many parts of the world growing up because their fathers were in the military. Two things both my husband and father have in common . . . they LOVE America. On the 4th of July, growing up we would climb on top of our roof and watch the fireworks. We lived close to "Westwind" Park. Many times I can recall seeing the tears in my dad's eyes as he would listen to the songs being played, especially, "I'm Proud to Be An American." I didn't fully understand at the time, but I have come to appreciate that feeling and freedom as I have gotten older. I hope to pass this appreciation to my children. I'm so grateful for the men and women who serve this country. Their selfless service and sacrifice has not been forgotten, especially in the Ward home!

This year we went up to Wyoming. We had a Kirk Family reunion in Utah from Monday to Wednesday so we stopped in Wyoming first. Doing fireworks in Wyoming is legal so we had a great time!!

Jordyn and Jocelynn

Jaeger and Jocelynn love each other. It's so cute. They were giving each other hugs and I had to hurry and get a picture.

Chad's a police officer and works at the place they sell fireworks. They give him free fireworks every year. We had a ton!!!

We had two boxes. It was so much fun.

My sister Jamie and I

Jocelynn was nervous at first. We put her in the back of the car and she watched "Signing Time"

We BBQ'd and had a great time! My camera died that evening so I didn't get pictures of the reunion but will post them when my sister sends me some.

We didn't know what a lot of the fireworks did and it was a little scary. This particular one would fly everywhere and went under a truck!! The drive to Wyoming and back went very well!

1000 Tropicana Way

Jocelynn was 2 weeks old when Grandma saw her for the first time.

Jocelynn and I had a nice day with Grandma Lane today. We always do. I always feel peace and at ease when I'm with her. Over the years I've become very close to her. She taught me how to sew along with many other things. She makes everything taste so good, maybe it's because she always sets the table so nice with her glass plates and silverware. I love the prayers she gives and how she chokes up every time when she thanks our Heavenly Father for something. I look forward to my birthday card every year. I remember years ago when she went with my family on a trip. She was in the backseat with me and I started rubbing her back. I didn't think anything of it but she started to cry. I remember at that point, I committed myself to spending more time with her. At that time she had been a widow for almost 10 years, I never thought much about it till that time that even older people long for company, affection, and love.

I try to go see her once a month but I think I'm going to try to go twice a month now. I can tell she's getting older and doesn't want to be out doing things because she gets tired so she'll be home a lot more. Jocelynn loves Grandma Lane and Grandma Lane loves her. They sit and talk and walk around holding hands. There's nothing sweeter then to see the innocence of them both.

My Grandma has lived in her home since 1959 and there are so many wonderful memories here. As time passes and the more I go see her I understand the time will come when she will go back home to be with her Heavenly Father. I do fear that it'll be very hard for me but I will continue to go visit and create memories for myself and my daughter.