WELCH FAMILY: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

SMYC-Flagstaff AZ May 2013

Cambria had the opportunity (along with our whole stake's youth, 14-18) to attend a regional Youth Conference put on by the Church. It was called Special Multi-Stake Youth Conference and it was held on the campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The kids rode buses down to NAU, and there they were put into mixed groups with kids from all over the Four Corners area.

(I have tried to get Cambria to write something about her experiences but she has not done so, so I just chose a few pictures and they'll have to tell the story.)

Cambria and Bailey

NAU

Dorms

Twinners

I think the highlight of the conference for these two was meeting and getting a picture with Sis. Elaine Dalton, YW General President.

Boys

Girls

She has some crazy faces for such a pretty girl...

She made new friends...both the male and female types...

With her buddy from home, Dakota

Sunset at NAU

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Sixth grade Graduate!

One more down, three more to go. Six Welch children have completed elementary school. Sadie is the latest. She graduated on May 21, 2013. She is an excellent student and enjoyed her years at Monticello Elementary school. I remember when she was little and I was so looking forward to her being able to go to school, thinking that I'd have some time to myself to get some things done. How funny life is. Three more boys came to our family and I'm still waiting for the last kid(or two) to go to school so I can get some things done.....And Sadie has gone and grown up on me! Next year she will be in 7th grade in the high school. That is a bit scary!!

Photo Op before walking the aisle.

There's a smile on that pretty face.

Sadie receiving her awards and certificates.

We are very thankful to have this beautiful, smart young woman in our family. We are pleased with her good work and efforts to do her best in all things. Love you, Sadie!!

Monday, May 06, 2013

Beach House-Oregon Coast

This was the fabulous beach house that Aunt Michele found to rent for Tuesday night of our week in OR/WA. It was located in Kiwanda Shores, a gated community in Pacific City, OR and it was perfect. We wish we had had more time to stay and play there. The house was fully stocked with bedding, towels (a whole closet full!), every kitchen tool and gadget you might need, (including parchment paper!) and slept all 17 of us (our family of 9, Grandma and Grandpa Welch, Aunt Nicole, Aunt Michele, Uncle Erin, Nathan, Mindy, and Olivia) very comfortably. We had a fun dinner that night called raclette. Apparently it's a swiss bbq. you have a little griddle/grill that you cook the meat on and then you put the meat on a little tray with veggies and cheese and put it under the griddle to melt. It was yummo!! Aunt Michele is always introducing us to unique foods and ways to eat it.
In our dreams we would rent this house every year and have a little family reunion at the beach!!

Front of the house, it faces west.

the boys playing an ancient arcade game in the loft. They were entertained by it forever.

This is the loft where all the kids except James and Olivia slept. The two outside beds both had trundles.

The loft had it's own Movie Theater. JK! just a TV and movie collection.

Basement arcade room. Billiards, arcade games.

Pinball, Jukebox, Mrs. Pacman.

Awesome kitchen with good counter space. See the raclette griddle?

Kids had a hard time leaving the games to actually go to the beach....James can't quite reach the pedal.

Grandma's craft...Sadie and Cambria enjoying Jolly Rancher suckers.

Looking north up the road. I *think* there was asphalt under that sand...

Looking south....That tractor was used daily to push the sand off the roads....

So Long Kiwanda Shores, we hope to be back some day!

Oregon Coast Beach

Once we got to Pacific City OR and found our rented beach house, we headed to the beach. Yes, it's only April and it's a bit chilly, but we ARE GOING to play in the ocean!! The girls and Soren put their suits on and the rest of us rolled up our pant legs. The sand at this beach was the softest sand I've ever had the pleasure to put my feet upon. No rocks in it, just soft, glorious sand. I personally only dipped my toes in and then found a cozy spot to sit and take pictures of the kids playing.

They had fun jumping the waves, running from the waves, running through the waves and getting knocked down by the waves (Charlie-remember how yucky the water is?). It was a quiet day on the beach and we pretty much had it to ourselves.

Some of the kids went back down on Wed morning, but I didn't so all these pictures are from Tuesday afternoon.