NY Trip July 2015 Continued

 Nate & Amy

 Amy & Autumn

 Amy, Aubrie, Nate, Autumn

 Aubrie 

 Laura, Brant, Mom, Dad

 Laura & Mom

 Laura & Dad

 Laura & Valerie Ball (Serfas)

Michelle Serfas & Lisa

Ryan & Mom at our Harris Hill picnic

Laura & Brant

 Alice & Spencer 

This little series is Spencer and his reaction after getting a kiss from his Mommy:

 Emily, Hanna, Spencer, Alice at the Dairy Barn

 Katie & Lisa

 Julia & Lisa

Sheldon and Karen Hallstrom Family 2015

Our family had the opportunity to fly to New York and gather with all of these beautiful people, my family.  

Jenny, Seth, and her family and my younger brother, Mark were unable to come.

We live all over the country, PA, MN, UT, MA, CO, so it's a big deal when we gather.

 Things can get a little crazy having 21 people under one roof for a few days.  

 My parents with 8 of their 12 grandkids.

Thank you, Mom and Dad for having all of us come over and bombard your house.

Thanks for feeding us so well and planning fun activities to do as a family.

Thank you for letting us borrow your vehicles.

Thank you for watching your grandkids so Sam and I could go out.

I love and admire my parents so much.  They brought 8 children into the world.

They raised their children to love one another, to be service oriented, 

to be self reliant, and much more. 

After practically 35 years of parenting, my parents are now empty nesters.

My youngest brother, Ryan is now at the MTC learning Russian and preparing to serve as a missionary in Russia.  Mom and Dad are beginning a new chapter in their lives.

I am excited for them.

Meeting Mika

Laura and Brant came to visit us the day before my birthday.  They brought the newest member of their family with them... an adorable puppy named Mika!  We all loved getting to know Mika and instantly feel in love with her.  Mika chased the kids around the yard, played a little tug of war, and let the kids pet her.  We can't wait to see the Mika (and Laura and Brant) again.

meetmika from Lisa Ward on Vimeo.


meetmika-2 from Lisa Ward on Vimeo.

Grandma Shirley Hallstrom

 Grandma Shirley Hallstrom and Laura 

Grandma Shirley Hallstrom, Lisa, Laura

My Grandma Hailstorm is such a great woman.  Her greatest loves are her family and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She loves to visit with family and share her family history and poems.  She is 84 years old and has so much energy.  I admire her "can do" attitude amidst the trials of life.  My kids love her so much.  I am glad that my kids are getting to know their Great Grandma Hallstrom.  Living in the same town as she does has been a great blessing.  These two photos are from January 2015 when we had Laura and Brant join us for a New Year's meal.  

Auntie Em & Uncle Nate's Visit

Emily and Nate came to visit us all the way from Minnesota.  We had so much fun with them.  The last time we saw these two was their wedding day.  It was great to get to know Nate better and see the kids bond with their aunt and uncle.  So, in no particular order, here are the pictures from their time with us.

Tradition shared: Swing by Smith's for donuts and eat them at Ninja Warrior Park

Bye, Auntie Em! See you after preschool!

Grandma won this Happy Spring Easter Bunny.

Auntie Em and Uncle Nate came to the park with us #kidslovetoshowoff

Fed ducks with Uncle Nate

Trying dessert at Kneaders.

Julia had lots of bonding time with her Auntie Em.

Half of the Hallstrom kids #wishwewerealltogether

Julia 4-8 weeks old

1 month old

Crossing my fingers she finally loves her binkie!#binkiebabiesunite

Full tummy = happy sleepy baby

My Superman... a Superdad too

"Katie's babies"

Deep Sleep

Sleepy Girl

Finally sleeping after our failed attempt at getting photos of her in her blessing dress.

Aunt Laura meets Julia

After school snuggles with my girls. I love having two girls :) #dinnermakingcanwaitsnugglingcannot

Uncle Calvin holding Julia

Great Grandma Hallstrom holding Julia

Sweet baby girl