Ward Family Newsletter

Bird Observatory

2009-11-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

We went to the Idaho Bird Observatory a few weekends ago and got a change to see bird banding up close. It is a few miles past Lucky Peak about six miles up a very windy and bumpy road in the mountains. It was very cold but worth the trip. We got to see lots of Jayco birds banded and even got to release some. It was their bigest number day for these birds of the year. We even got to see them catch two Merlin birds of prey. Dylan decided he would not like to live up in the mountains for months living in a tent to track birds like the bird experts we met but he would rather be a bird breeder. Good information to learn. It is fun for the bird lovers in our family to live in a place with so many opportunities to see so many bird up close. We even had the BLM bring a hawk and owl to our co-op birds class we are teaching last week. That was a big hit with the kids.

Halloween

2009-11-01T16:05:00.000-08:00

I have really slacked off in getting current on blogging. I hope to catch up and get better. I thought I would start by showing our Halloween pictures. Emi dressed as Cheer bear again this year to walk around the block then she changed into Snow White to hand out candy at the door. Braden was Jango Fett. Dylan made his own set or Wolverine claws with a pair of gloves and cardboard. After a little trick or treating we watched Ice Age 3. It was a very fun night. Braden's pumpkin is the large owl that is painted. Dylan carved his own pumpkin this year and he made an owl's face. He has his pumpkin all cleaned out before Daddy got home from work and was ready to carve. Jeff made Emi the Dora pumpkin while while she painted her own small pumpkin.

Emi turns three

2009-07-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

Emi turned three June 23. The weekend before we were able to have a birthday bbq to celebrate with friends. Grandma and Grandpa Ward and Grandpa Preszler were even able to come. It was so wonderful to share that time with family and friends. She seams like such a big girl these day. She will always be the little one in our house but she is growing fast.

Catching up - busy summer so far

2009-07-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

This summer is flying by. Can it really be nearing the end of July already. I forgot all about posting on the blog. I just down loaded some pictures so I am going to do some highlight posts to catch all our family up on our happenings. This week the kids and I are all involved in vacation bible school. It is the first year Emi can participate and of course our social girl loves every minute of it. I am the teacher for her group. This is the last year for Dylan and he even got to play the part of Daniel today in a skit. Braden is doing three skits and helping each day in the k-3 group. I can't believe the boys are getting too big for vbs just as Emi is getting started. We will enjoy it while it lasts.

First camping trip of the summer

2009-05-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun on our first camping trip of the season. We do know why we do not camp on Memorial weekend. We had a hard time finding a spot. We did end up in a campground next to some college age kids who played music all day. At least the rain on Sat. night put them to bed early.

It is so great to be out all day long doing things we love and spending time together. We had smores at the campfire, hiked, shot the bow and air gun, cooked in the dutch oven and just hung out. We met another homeschool family that were in our co op even though we didn't know each other before. The boys had a great time playing with everything they could find. Did you know that thick weeds can become swords? Well the boys proved they can and it is fun.

See the Peregrine chicks

2009-05-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

We have been watching a webcam of a Peregrine Falcoln pair as they nest in downtown Boise. Sunday morning three of the eggs hatched. Now we are able to see the babies being fed. Check it out.http://www.peregrinefund.org/webcam2009.asp

Mothers day picture

2009-05-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

On Mothers day I got everyone to pose for an updated picture.

Flowers, popsicles, and best friends

2009-05-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

What more does a little girl need. Emi and Isabella helping with the flowers and enjoying Popsicles on a beautiful sunny day.

It's For The Birds

2009-05-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Snake River Birds of Prey Festival. We had a great time learning more about the boys favorite subject - birds. They really enjoyed asking all the questions they could come up with for the falconers. Dylan wants to be a falconer as soon as possible so he is trying to learn all he can. The falconers they met were impressed how much the boys know. I think they enjoy when kids share a passion of theirs.

They had lots of hands on activities that Emi enjoyed doing. She has her own set of binoculars now and a paper eagle.

Good Books

2009-05-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

While I was cooking dinner yesterday I looked over and saw all the kids busy reading. It was so quiet and they were so engrossed in their books I had to to take a picture.

Dylan's Corner

2009-05-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am nine years old. I weigh 92 pounds. I am 4 foot 10 and a half inches. My hobbies are playing wii and trying to learn all I can about birds of prey. I want to be a falconer. I also like legos. I made my own special Bionicle. I also learned to snowboard this year.

Field Trip to Boise Water Shed

2009-05-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

Today Braden, Dylan and Kristen got to take a tour of the Boise Water Shed. It is a water treatment plant and education center. We learned a lot about our water system and how water is processed. It was pretty stinky in parts but that didn't seem to bother the boys. Thankfully the rain stopped in time for our tour. The education center was great and very high tech. We need to go back so we can spend more time in that part. It is open to the public so we can go in anytime.
Emi had fun playing with her friend Chloe while we had our tour.

All About Emilia

2009-05-06T12:58:00.001-07:00

Everyone calls me Emi. I am almost three years old, June 23. I say my birthday is tomorrow everyday but that does not make it come any faster. My favorite thing is my pink bunny headed small blanket called hop hop. He sleeps with me and when I can get away with it I carry him around. I still like to take naps during the day. I also love to suck my thumb. Mom and dad are trying to get me to not do it so much. I am potty trained but I still wear pull ups at night just in case. I will eat anything even sushi. I love to have books read to me, swing, help cook, jump on the trampoline, play with dolls and do anything my big brothers are doing. I get a lot of attention at my house which is great because I love to have an audience.

Thankful for date nights.

2009-05-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

It is Friday and tonight is date night. Oh, how I love date night. I do love being home with my children everyday but it is such a treat to get out with just the two of us. We have traded Friday nights with two different families for years. We have taken some short and long breaks but we have stuck with it for a long time. What a privilege to know you can get out and reconnect with your spouse while your kids are safe and having fun for free. I love our date night friends and consider them a huge blessing in our lives. Love you Chris, Sally, Diana, Kim, Dan, Ali and Ryan. Great Memories!
What shall we eat - I don't care as long as I'm not cooking!

The garden is looking good

2009-04-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

The peas, beans, radishes, and green onion are all coming up nicely. The herbs are already being used because they perked right up from last year. I just planted potatoes for the first time ever. We heard they taste better fresh. I know they should grow well here in Idaho. We had to read up on how to do it since they require a little different planting method. You dig a trench and just put enough dirt to cover them. As the sprouts poke out you keep covering them up with a little more dirt until the plants get all leaved out. I am still waiting on tomatoes and pepper plants but that is the only thing left to go in the ground. I love seeing the garden grow. With raised beds we have hardly any weeds which is so nice.

The garden is not the only thing growing big around here. The kids are sprouting up as well. I think it has a lot to do with such great eaters they are. They don't care much for real spicy food but other than that they will eat anything. They even love sushi. What two year old do you know that will willingly eat raw fish, only our kids.

We had a buzzing experience.

2009-04-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just down the path from our house last night a swarm of bees decided to make a home on a tree branch. It was so heavy with about 10,000 bees (according to the bee keeper) that it touched the ground. A bee keeper was able to give them a new home. The kids were able to suit up and join in the excitement. Not a single person or bee was harmed.

A way to stay connected.

2009-04-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

I am starting a family blog as a way to stay connected with family and friends. I can have one area to post pictures and give updates on our activities.
It is my hope that is will also encourage the boys in writing. I hope for this to become a family endeavor.