Let's go racing!!!

Before I move on to the boats......the more important goings on!!

Ggma Stark got to meet Haven and some snuggle time!!

Even though she will get used to it......she may have been a bit started by the flash!!

Haven is growing way too fast.....she was 7.3 lbs. when she was born and now 3 weeks later she is over 8.7 lbs!!! Such a sweetie!

Ward family v-burg edition came up for the weekend. The boys planned to try a catamaran race in Muskegon on Sat. and Sun. In the mean time gpa enjoyed some mighty machines with Lukas. The boy LOVES all things machines!!!

How ADORABLE!!!


You all can say it's gas but I ASSURE you she was smiling at gma!!!

I can't get over how she is growing...Amy and I were commenting that she seemed to be getting bigger while we watched!!!

We needed a place for Haven to sleep while I decide on what to do about a bed for Lukas!!!....in the meantime I remembered that Sarah had a doll cradle that she got years ago from her great uncle Joe in the basement. Defiantly not going to work for Luks, but Haven liked it OK!!!!

Aunt Yaya spent the night and come morning she was happy to cuddle with her little miss!!

With that we were off to the races....

First a update on the results of Sat. race. It should be noted that it has been maybe 30 yrs. since Dave has raced and this would be Jesse's first!!! The women folk stayed home for the day because the weather forecasts were not all that promising!! While they participated in race one, the clouds looked ominous....and it was thundering and lightning....when all of a sudden it moved in FAST!!!! Jesse was able to get his boat to shore, and was barely able to hang onto it on the beach. Boats were coming in fast and some flipped before making it in. A few boats made it to shore on the other sides of the breakwall. Dave on the other hand weathered the storm on the lake, as he was unable to bring the boat in safely. His reaction to the 65 mile and hour winds and rain!!!.....

"I cheated death!!!"
OK, on to Sundays race....we headed out hoping to see the guys before they headed out....getting everyone ready at the same time proved to be a challenge. So we may have been a little late. But, we were just in time to see Jesse pass the ferry!!!

The first race of the day and the winds were howling with waves over 6 ft. He had all good intentions but his boat was taking a beating and he headed in!!

We loaded up and headed down the beach, inside the breakwall. Just in time to see he was able to beach the boat!

Very deceiving when you see this picture...

....he was disappointed but still all smiles!!

Lukas was helping blue puppy leave his footprints on the sand!!

Then he headed off to help daddy take down the sails!

It wasn't more than 15 min. and Jesse's decision was verified as we saw Dave heading in too!!

He came roaring into shore! Within a short time more than half the fleet was heading in, one with a broken daggerboard!!!

Jesse went out to help Dave get to shore. We overheard one lady say she was trapezing and felt like she was floating, looked down at her feet and realized she WAS!!! :)

Haven and mommy taking in sights.....ok maybe Haven wasn't all that interested in all the happenings just yet!!!

Not to worry that is all the sun she was exposed to this day!!

Two of the A class cats. heading in!! As you can see the waves were really rolling!!

While the rest of the fleet continued to race, someone played on the slide!!

He likes hanging around!!! :)

White caps continued!

We moved on down to the shore to watch the kiteboarders and the rest of the races!!

Lukas checking it out!

With Haven in the beach tent, and lunch in our bellies, Jesse decided it was nap time!!!

It is POSSIBLE than while he was sleeping someone tried to lure in some of the resident seagulls!!! And maybe......just maybe more than one person pitched in on that!!! hehehe

LOL.....it was well worth it!!

Gpa took his little buddy and they walked to the lighthouse to check things out...he said it was wild out there!!

After the seagull attack Jesse headed out to join Dave and Lukas!!

He does like to climb!!

My 3 guys......I do love them so!!!

It was about this time that the races ended and we headed back down the beach to pack things up. We went to the awards, just to see how the guys had done in the completed races......wait for it!!!Jesse beat Dave in corrected time in both races they were able to finish!!!
Sorry, Dave!!!

I don't think this will be the last time we will be racing....someones got the bug!!

Your willing to do WHAT?

Nothing better than having family spend some time. Last week we were lucky enough to have Jess, Amy, Lukas and Haven spend the night. Sweet little miss slept for 61/2 hours.....ahhhhh!!!

Gpa was thrilled to be able to cuddle his granddaughter first thing in the morning.

Next up on the schedule was a little counter top bath. She was not too sure about this!!

Much happier with her cute owl outfit on!! She is such a sweetie, and so tiny.

Amy's mom had heard about a animal park that had just opened in our area. For a number of years we knew this place as the elk ranch, but hadn't seen any elk for the last 2 yrs. We had been wondering what was going on when we drove by a couple weeks ago and saw some new buildings going up. I guess for 17yrs they have raised exotic animals and no one knew they were there. Recently they were convinced to open a wildlife park geared towards kids!!
So off we went!
Amy and Haven checking out the parrots!!

Although you can't really tell in the cage behind the parrots were Lukas's favorite animals! LEMURS!!!!
We were able to get up close and personal!


The name of the park is Boulder Ridge wildlife park. they had too many animals to name, but here are a few, zebra, cranes, antelope, fox, porcupines,alligator,ostrich, emu, water buffalo, American bison, monitor, iguana,lots of different birds, etc........and yup someone got to ride a turtle!!

Not sure what animal they were watching here but Lukas sure looks intrigued!!

They also have a reptile house. Rick is the resident expert and he is AWESOME!! So loves what he does and wants to share that with all the kids around. Now is where the title comes in!!! Lukas was checking out all the small snakes and spiders and since he seemed impressed with them......look what I volunteered to do!!!!!

I know shocked me too!!! I think Dave floored too!!

At first Lukas thought it was cool.....he did get a little apprehensive after touching the snake. You have to remember the thing was way bigger than him!!
Later in the day Rick was feeding a serval (kind of like a bobcat) out in the pens and Lukas LOVED watching that too!!

You could also pet and feed many of the young animals, goats and even a baby bison!!

They also had a cage full of parrakeet's, and Lukas was mobbed when he went in with a birdseed stick! This was right at the beginning. Before long there were so many you had to watch your step!

Next up was a TRACTOR ride around the park to see all the larger animals. Without a doubt he was way more impressed with the tractor than the animals!!! At one point near the end of the ride he looked back and while everyone else was being told about the American Bison, he said "gma do you see that hydraulic Hitachi digger over there!!" The boy does love him some mighty machines!! :):)

He loved it that the lemurs wanted his drink!!!

Haven took it all in from a sling and then it was time for a little break and something to drink ;)

Resting by the zebra. The baby zebra in the pic is just 3 days old and they are expecting a few more any day!!

Amy and Haven take it all in!

Lukas chatting with the zebras!!

We would highly recommend this place to everyone. It isn't huge, just the right size for a little outing. They have a picnic area too. You can find them online or on facebook. They are open 7 days a wk. and it is $8. per person over 3yrs. We will definitely be going again!!!

Haven Quinn Ward

I am a REALLY BAD g-ma!!! I posted an introduction blog and then I didn't follow through and tell you all about our beautiful new addition!!

It was obvious when we walked in that somebody's mommy and daddy had been talking about him before his arrival!!! Dr. and nurses alike greeted him by name! Here one was asking him his puppy's name. He kept saying BROWN puppy, and she kept asking...until I said what are your other puppy's names. When he told her grey and blue puppy, she got it and chuckled!!

He had been waiting a while and finally he got to meet his new little sister. Of course he also had to introduce her to Frank the combine!
Is this not the most adorable family!!!! xoxo

Pretty sure he was a bit confused with all the goings on!!!

I am pretty sure it was LOVE at first sight for Amy. She did a great job, and I am soooo incredibly proud of her. She is such a GREAT mom to Lukas and I know she will be the same to miss Haven!!!

With hardly a moments rest it was time for the rest of the family to meet this little miss!

Aunt Yaya may have shed a few tears upon meeting her niece!

She puts a smile on every ones face!

Who would know that it was less than an hour before this that she was born...These are 2 beautiful girls!!

Nonni and Papa getting a glimpse!

Miss Haven was not too sure about sharing her weight with the world....!!!

The nurse helping her with her modesty!

Daddy looking on proudly! Just waiting for his turn to hold his little girl.

Lukas giving his sister a tender kiss with his finger with a little help from nonni!

She certainly won over everyones hearts right away. It is not so easy to see here but she is very petite and sooooo very sweet. I think she looks VERY much like her brother!

And while she was laying there so peacefully that mean nurse came over and gave her a shot....OUCH!!

She seemed a little bit happier when she was getting all cleaned up!

Lukas and mommy chatting while the rest of the group watched over baby sister!

Finally daddy got his turn to hold his little girl! I think he was a bit smitten and I am sure she already has him wrapped around her finger!

Gently kissing his sister!!

Then when daddy let others have a turn....you can see what he did!!! Hey, there was a tigers game on the TV what would you expect!!

Like father like son.....tractor videos on the phone are always a good choice!!

Lukas brought cupcakes to celebrate Haven's BIRTH-DAY!!!
I am pretty sure this was his favorite part of the day!:)

He was very good about sharing!

Even little sister!!!

I could not have been anymore thrilled than when it was my turn to snuggle on this little one. She is so beautiful and so content. She has dark hair and only time will tell if we get curls!!

One really proud gpa...He waited patiently but he sure was happy when he finally got to hold her. Who knew....on the way home he told me he couldn't wait to start buying my little pony stuff??? He clarified that he was looking forward to buying pink things!! :)

Amy's mom and dad getting a chance to bond with their new little love! Haven is their 6th. grand baby and the 5th grand daughter!!

Papa getting his own moment with little miss!

Amy's mom made Haven this hat while she waited for her arrival and Lukas was willing to lend a hand putting it on!

Before too long Amy's brother Mike, his daughter Ashtynn, wife Becky and their sister Michelle arrived to welcome Haven!

I think they liked her!

Soon after they arrived it was time to move to another room. Lukas decided to ride on daddy's shoulder while Haven rode with mommy!! :)

Seriously, could she be any cuter!!!! XOXOXOXO

With great timing Dave's sister Dianne and her daughter Betsy "fetsy" were here for a visit. Feeling bad that we didn't get much of a chance to visit, but I am thinking having the chance to meet Haven was well worth it!!
Here they are visiting at the hospital.

Great grandma Ward getting to hold Haven for the first time!

Betsy getting to hold her next!

Just in time for a little gift!!!! :) :)

Great grandpa playing with the boppy!!

And chatting about something with Lukas!

Then getting his turn to bond with Haven!

Gpa waited and waited and FINALLY he was able to snuggle with his little love!!

Around this time they came and told Amy and Jesse that they could go home!! So with that we bundled up Haven and gathered all the gear.....Lukas decided to hang out under the cart!!

Feeling a little tender he decided he wanted to ride out with mommy. I was surprised that they let Jesse carry out the baby and not have her ride with Amy!

Arriving home just a little over 24 hours after she was born!!!!!!

Finally home and without a lot of other people hanging around Lukas got a chance to hold his little sister. He is going to be a GREAT BIG BROTHER!!

I spent the night with the family. Haven was sooooo great. She had a little time between 1 and 3 and then slept till 8:30!!! Since then she is giving Amy sleep time for about 5 to 6 hours at night...let's hope that continues!!

In the afternoon while I was making lunch in the kitchen I noticed that the livingroom had grown REALLY quiet!!

Yup, the sandwiches were put into plastic wrap and the family slept, Lukas in the chair, Haven in her swing, Amy got the couch and Jesse hit the floor.....It was soooo cute!!

I can't tell you how thrilled we are to have this little miss in our lives.

She is PERFECT in every way and I look forward to watching her grow and thrive!!

WELCOME HAVEN QUINN.....we LOVE you!!