Michael Turns Eleven!

"The Cake"

(that navy blue color took almost a whole bottle of paste food coloring!)

The Birthday Boys

Sometimes Michael and his good friend, Jacob Roberts, celebrate their birthdays together, since they are only two days apart. This year we met at Jacob's house, where we had pizza, cake, and opened presents before heading off to see the Harlem Globetrotters!

Blowing out the candles took a while, thanks to Desiree's trick candles!

The boys were thrilled to be able to see the Harlem Globetrotters from a suite at the Energy Solutions Arena. They felt so important, and thought it was cool to have their own private viewing area (not to mention their own restroom right there in the suite)! Thank you Paul Adams and Layton Construction!

"Hair" Today, Gone Tomorrow

Here are "before" and "after" shots of Michael and his haircut. Nothing special about it--just giving those of you who live away a chance to see more of our favorite 11-year old boy!

Banana Trivia

 

 

I have been freezing bananas lately because I had heard you could make banana bread from them. No one I asked had actally done it, and when the frozen banana count hit 15 or so, I decided it was time. Yes, it works, and yes, I do need to get a life if this is what I blog about!

WELCOME, BABY ETHAN!

We were so thrilled to welcome a second grandson to our family! Ethan Michael Ward arrived on January 22, 2008 and is perfect in every way. We are proud to add some of our photos to those already posted on Mike and Steph's blog.

More at the MTC

These two pictures got left off the first posting (my first, so I'm still learning!).
My present and future missionaries!

We love you, Elder Swan!

January 23, 2008--Adam Arrives at the MTC!

All packed and ready to go!
(This is new luggage that we bought in a panic the night before Adam was to leave. We had inspected the old luggage a few weeks earlier and thought all was well, but when we went to pack, there was a tear by one of the zippers. Mom was simply not going to send her missionary off with a damaged suitcase, so Dad offered to run to good ol' Mr. Mac's and buy a new set. This was right before he became deathly ill--more on this later!)

Take a deep breath, Elder Swan. Here we go!

Our goodbye entourage had been unexpectedly reduced to Mom and Michael. Stephanie and Mike were at the hospital with darling one-day old Ethan and Dad was sick in bed (I took a picture but mercifully decided not to post it here!). Dad was sad that he didn't get to give Adam one more hug at the MTC, but he really could barely stand up, and we also thought it best not to risk spreading germs to our new missionary. Michael and Mom felt privileged to be their own little exclusive MTC group, and afterwards we drowned our sorrows at Brick Oven and turned our frowns into smiles as we visited and held Baby Ethan at the hospital.

Now I'm really official--I've got my name tag!