Short, Random, and Funny #1

I've concluded that throughout the process of writing this blog, I am going to forget about some minor events, but I'll want to remember them. So, I've decided to call them short, random, and funnies. Here's the first: I realize this is about Jessica's kids, but she doesn't have the pictures, so I'm writing this on here for her. (Hopefully she reads it). Tonight, we tried to get Bailey and Owen to say yee-haw because they came outside with these cowboy hats on. This video will show the result of how well we got them to immitate...

Twin Falls Temple

We were lucky enough to get to go to the Twin Falls, Idaho temple open house on Aug. 14th. It was really neat to be able to go "beyond the stairs." The temple was really pretty, though. It had a mural of Shoshone Falls, and in the Celestial room, it had an enormous chandelier. It was also uplifting to see the eternal mirrors with our entire family in the sealing room. I would have taken pictures, but I believe that was "frowned upon." But I'm glad we got to go. Plus, afterwards, we got to get bothered by protesters standing outside the temple. Good thing we had a return missionary with us to prove a good point. Plus, Dan had some good input. :) But while we were there, we visited Randy and Jackie, and also Grandpa Welch and his dogs. I believe we finally found something Owen was afraid of. He would not go near those dogs. I know I'm getting side tracked so I'll go back to the temple. But I have nothing else to say about it, so here's a picture we took out in front of it.

First of the Last

The first week of Sydney's senior year of high school has come to an exciting end! She's hoping with all of her electives this year that it should be a breezy, beautiful year. In order to save money in gas, (and the fact that she doesn't have a car) she will be riding her scooter with her friend, Taylor. Here is a picture of her and her friend on their big first day.

Return of Mike

As we were all standing there at the airport, we see this stick-figure strolling slowly through the gate with a guitar case and suddenly realized that it was Michael! We all stood out there with the big signs and cameras rolling (we didn't embarress him at all). After we were home the excitement calmed down, it was weird to be able to talk to him in person again. But the weirdness wore off real soon (within the hour, actually). When we were home, he kept saying how cold it is, but that didn't stop him from jumping into the pool. Now that he's home, he's pretty much back into the swing of things. He's working at Sure Clean car wash, sleeping, watching movies until early morning, etc. But it's good to have him home. We all really missed him. But he'll actually be leaving in a week to go to school, so I guess we enjoy him while he's here.

Bienvenidos Elder Welch!

Two years ago Mike was sent to the Santo Domingo East, Dominican Republic mission, and now he's finally coming home. We are all exremtely excited, and mom can hardly sleep at night. These past few days, we've been getting ready by making signs, doing yard work, and getting his room ready (which I think mom has done most of these things without our help...oops). To say a little about Mike, the last e-mail he sent consisted of only a scripture reference which said something along the lines of how he will not be wasting any ink in writing this week because he will soon see us face to face (we were all entertained). But he kept all of mom's questions from being answered, so Mike can be expecting a hug and a punch when he gets off the plane. What you're seeing here is a picture of him before he left, and in two days you will be seeing the "Return of Mike."