Lawn remodel

Last summer we decided that we wanted to remove the evergreen hedge that separated the upper and lower west lawns. With it there we never used the lower lawn, it just was out of sight, out of mind.  We wanted to move the trampoline to that lower west lawn and thought that it would be nice if the whole lawn was opened up for use. So we had Jim come up with the tractor and pull all the evergreens out except for the end one by the steps on the south side. Then we left it alone for the winter.
This year we dug out weeds and Curtis rototilled it to remove rocks and roots. We raked it and smoothed it, and spread new grass seed and then used my dad's old metal lawn-roller to press the seed into the soil.
The trick was to keep the soil moist while the seed germinated. That took a few weeks but by the end of summer we had a nice, gently sloping lawn that saw plenty of use this summer. It will continue to fill in in the coming years and someday no one will know there was ever a huge hedge there.

roots and rocks dug out and raked, smoothed and flattened

we removed the rock steps at the north end of the yard

Lawn now (Oct 2014)

Idaho-Emerson's blessing

Jordan and Lindsey were blessing Emerson last weekend so Curtis, Mom and I drove up to be there. We really wanted to take all the kids, but really could not afford to. Taking the Suburban is just so costly and then we would have had to have several nights at a hotel. We told the kids that we were planning to give them a trip to Idaho for Christmas to be taken in the late spring or summer next year. So they decided that they'd rather go when there was more time to do something and when Emerson was bigger and could play with them.
I love the drive to Rexburg. Curtis had not been there before and he really loved it too. We only wish it wasn't so far away and we could see them more often, (or that we lived in Idaho!). We had a nice dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Curtis's, Lindsey's dad's and my birthdays. On Sunday we went to Sacrament Meeting with Jordan and Lindsey to be part of this special event.
Emerson was one of three babies being blessed that day. Lots of babies in a student ward, but no other kids. Curtis has always disliked young married student wards. I always feel like we missed out a little in forming friendships with people in the same stage of life by not being in one when we first married. I have seen other people who made lifelong friends in those student wards. Hope Jordan and Lindsey are having a good experience in theirs.
It was much too quick trip for me. I wanted to spend more time with him. He is a sweet little! boy. It sure is fun to watch my son be a father and take such good care of his family. Life is good!

Great-Grandma and Emerson

Such a sweet little face.

4 generation photo op!
Great-grandma Barton. Grandma Welch, Jordan and Emerson Welch

So thankful we were able to be there for this special day! I love watching our family grow :)

About Charles

Charles has really blossomed this year. He loves school and loves to learn to read and write. This picture is of a whiteboard he was practicing his writing on. He decided he needed to write all the names of the people in his family and make a stick person to go with.

He is really growing too. He is no longer a chunky toddler, but a thin, tall boy instead. He also has a bit of a silly side to him. I have no idea why he was wearing his sisters' headband in this picture but it shows his silly side. If you look carefully you can see his little dimple on his cheek which shows up when he is trying really hard not to smile. We are thankful for this sensitive, silly guy. He is such an important part of our family.

Procrastination is not my friend...

'Procrastination is not your friend!' is one of Curtis's favorite sayings. We hear it a lot at our house.

Lately I've come to realize what my own procrastination has cost me.

At least twice in the last couple of months I have found myself missing out on serving someone or doing something I'd really wanted to do because I had put off doing something else and the time was gone. 

At the end of Aug I had a talk to give in church. I knew about it for 3 weeks but kept putting off putting anything down on paper. The last couple of days I knew I had to focus and write. An opportunity (can't for the life of me remember now exactly what. *Curtis helped me remember that we were given the opportunity to help clean the temple after the last Saturday session but I couldn't stay.*)came up on one of those days and I had to decline because I had left myself no time. 

This week I was invited to go to the temple with my sister while she was in town. I told her I'd love to go and that I better get my robe ironed. I'd washed it weeks ago and let it sit in a basket to be ironed. Well, come Saturday afternoon and I'm scrambling to get ready and realize my robe is still not ironed. I ran downstairs, turned on the iron and tried to put those pleats back into it. I got the iron too hot and nearly ruined my robe. I then realized I didn't have time to get it done before I'd need to leave and with a heavy heart I had to let my sister know I would not be able to be there.

In both of these instances, if I had not put off the task I would have been able to serve when the opportunity arose. I feel badly that because I didn't get to the temple maybe one person had to wait for her ordinance work to be done a little bit longer. 

I have fought procrastination all my life, along with its companion, perfectionism. I hate to think of all I've missed out on or caused others to miss out on because of it. I hope that I can do a better job in the future, remembering these lessons and that when those service opportunities arise, I can say, 'Sure, I'd love to help!' knowing I have the ability and availability to do so :)

Favorite picture of Emerson!

Oh my word! So cute!!

Not a lot of extra chub on this guy but he sure is a cute little man! I can't wait to see him in person!

You Look Like My Grandma!'

My dad's aunt passed away recently. I went with my mom to her funeral. In a small town there's always a good turnout at funerals, since everyone knows everyone. We waited in the long line to pay our respects to her children, hugging and visiting with relatives along the way. As I approached her daughter (who was my Beehive advisor eons ago) she looked at me and said, 'Oh, you're so beautiful!' I stammered 'thank you' to her and then she said, 'You look like my grandma!' and gave me a big hug. I smiled and with tears in my eyes, said, 'I do, don't I?'

I've long known that I got my broad cheekbones and apple-y cheeks from my dad's side of the family. My mom said it came through the Mackelprang/Jones/Barton line. But I've never had anyone else notice. Especially someone who actually knew my Great-Grandma Ella. She died when I was 3 months old, so I've only ever seen her in pictures. 

It meant so much to me to hear those words. Oh, how I love my ancestors! Family history and connections between generations are so important to me. I love that I have Grandma Mary's and Grandma Ella's cheekbones! I love that there is something that connects me to them. I can't wait to know them again! I feel blessed to be part of their family!

                                         

 Ella as a young woman. I can see that her nose is slightly upturned like mine, and she has blended cheeks with a softer jawline. Like I do.

Ella later in her life. I see the same cheeks and deep crevices between cheek and mouth area.

Below is Grandma Mary, Ella's mother.

                                       

Soccer fall 2014

Soren wanted to try soccer again this year. I don't remember why he didn't play last year but the first time he played he did not seem to grasp the concept of the game. I had hopes that being a couple of years older would make a difference in his understanding of what to do.
He only had 5 players on his team so all the kids played every game, the entire game. As a parent I liked that. I liked that they got lots of playing time and got to play more than just one other team. His coach was Coach Berry and the other kids on his team were: Hannah B, Taylor B, Jesse P, and Braxton J. There was not one standout kid on the team so all the kids learned to play well together as a team. Usually if there is one kid who has a natural knack or more experience those who are less sure of themselves just let them have the ball all the time. I was glad that we didn't have that this year.

Curtis filled in as coach a couple of times...

Curtis filled in for Coach B a couple of times and did a great job with the kids. They all like him a lot. As the season (8 games) progressed so did the skills of the kids. Soren definitely understood the game better this year. He understood about passing and following and getting open for passes. He actually scored a lot. There were a couple of games in which he scored at least 3 goals. I don't think his team lost more than once.

Soren did so much better this year in being aware of where the ball was...

It was a fun season but we were all happy to see the end of September. It was starting to get chilly and 2 games a week was starting to get old! Great Season, Soren!!

Homecoming parade 2014

The Homecoming Parade is the culminating parade of the year as far as candy-gathering parades for my kids go. My little boys actually love the Homecoming Parade because we have a great spot we always go to to watch and we're usually alone so all the candy that gets thrown is thrown at us. And it's even more fun when Dad throws almost a whole bag at them.

This is the first year that Cambria was not in the marching band, playing her clarinet on the front corner. :( Just couldn't fit band into her schedule this year. We missed seeing her there but were happy to see her and Sadie on their class floats and that Hannah was on our side of the road when she came by.

The day is rapidly coming when I will be standing there alone with no one to collect candy for. Bittersweet!

Sadie on the 8th grade float- (center)

Hannah with the cheerleaders

Cambria on the Sr. float

Powder Puff 2014

Cambria participated in the Homecoming Week Powder Puff football game again this year. She was a running back this year and carried the ball quite a few times. Unfortunately, the Jr/So team won the game this year.
It still is so funny to me that the girls actually like to suit up in pads and the whole works and play a game of tackle football. I don't think I would have ever done that as a teenager. I have enjoyed watching my girls play when they chose too, though. Seems to be a fun tradition that will continue for a long time.

Cambria and Ashley H.
notice Cambria's lovely cornrowed hair! haha

Apple Picking

At the invitation of Curtis's friend, Doug, we went to an abandoned orchard to pick apples on a perfect fall day. We had no school on this Wednesday, due to parent/teacher conferences, so it was an ideal day to spend the morning gathering some free fruit. It's about a 40 minute drive over into Colorado but it's well worth the drive. This is quite a large orchard with peaches, cherries, pear and loads of apples. We picked yellow delicious, some johnathons?, and fujis. We brought lots of 5 gallon buckets, coolers and tote bins to fill, hoping to get enough to do some canning and preserving.

getting ready to load up on apples

James decided to just eat the apples rather than pick them….just getting started on filling my bucket.

The trees were absolutely loaded...

Just looking at the trees made my heart happy and seriously brought tears to my eyes.

Curtis

Charles wanted to climb a ladder to pick. It was scarier up there than he thought it would be

Soren's turn

James with another apple

Our bounty…the large cooler under the three buckets is full also

Once we got this load home, my life pretty much went on hold because I had to process them before they went bad. The days were filled with washing, cutting, coring, cooking, straining, filling bottles and processing the bottled product. It took almost a month to get through them all, and we ate a lot of them fresh and fed some to the chickens. They got sick of me feeding them the cooked skins and cores that came from the strainer. Picky birds. My kitchen was a sticky mess, but it sure smelled good and it is so satisfying to see all those bottles on the shelf in my food room. We plan to go next year and are hoping for another bumper crop.

The end product: applesauce, apple butter and apple pie filling. We ended up with almost 100 pints of applesauce, about  20-25 pints of apple butter and 12-15 quarts of apple pie filling.

If ye have done it unto the least of these...

helping a stranded family in Lisbon Valley.
I have wondered if this family (a mom and 6 kids) got back to Texas safely

Curtis is so very aptly named. He is generous, courteous and kind and always willing to help and serve others. The things of the world have never meant much to him, except as a means to help others. 

In the last month he has helped a man whose car died, helped some college age kids from PA who ran out of money on their way to AZ, helped a co-worker who needed some $ to get home, to name only a few. 

I am thankful to have a kind-hearted husband who is not afraid to help others, who listens to and follows promptings. He is a blessing in my life, and I'm sure he has been in others' lives too.

This song by Kenneth Cope has always made me think of Curtis. Especially the underlined sections. 

MAN IN THE SUN

(written by Kenneth Cope)

High above the veiled horizon

Stronger than the face of lightning

His work never done

Shines the Man in the sun

Papa was a good man, poor man

But wished he were a good man,

rich man

Ever admiring the shine in this world

of ours

But Papa couldn’t hold his fortune

Faced the day with hands wide open

Gave it away

As fast as it came along

Chorus:

He’d light up the day

He’d warm up the night

Wherever the deed needed done

He’d carry the flame

Till he’d run out of fire

Climb in his plane

And fly to the Man in the sun

Papa loved granting favors

Digging deep for friends and strangers

He’d give his last dime

But never run short on love

He’d shine at one on one encounters

And now beyond his final hour

Remembering the man has the power

To urge me on

REPEAT CHORUS

He taught me

Love is what we are

—I can still hear . . .

Look in their eyes, Son

Don’t hold back your heart

—I can still hear . . .

Remember me, Son

When I’m dead and gone

—I can still hear . . .

I’ll be watching

So take the flame and carry on

He’d light up the day

He’d warm up the night

Wherever the deed needed done

Now he’s passed on the flame

And vanished from sight

I’m going to light up the day

And warm up the night

Wherever the deed needs done

Going to give it away

Till the day that I die

Then it’s back to you Papa

I’m going to follow you Papa

Home to the Man in the sun

Papa’s now a rich man

© 1998

Mohrgüd Music (BMI)

Good Things:
a hubby who is not afraid to get his hands dirty
or to learn new skills that benefit us and others
watching him talk to and teach the boys in the van about changing tires, so they can be more helpful to their mom if there's ever another flat.

BYU XC meet

Curtis and I took the opportunity to go watch Cambria run at the BYU XC race. (We were also going to help Ford and Shiala move down to Monticello. It was nice that they coincided!)

Cambria has struggled with running this year. She has a part time job so it's hard to get enough practice in to be competitive. Add to that the fact that her body has developed into a womanly body and carries more weight than it did when she was a freshman. But she is still doing her best in her last XC season ever! I love that she is participating even though she doesn't feel like she's doing well and could be frustrated by her times. I love that rather than quitting she is sticking it out and being part of the team. I think I will miss watching her race. At least, a little bit.

Proud of you, Girl!!

It was hot and miserable but on she ran….

'Yellow season'

Sometime in the last couple of years I came to the realization that we have a 'yellow' season here at the base of the Blues on the Colorado Plateau.

In late August and early September the sunflowers and rabbitbrush burst into glorious yellow! I'm sure it has a lot to do with the monsoon season. Everywhere I look I see my favorite color and it makes me smile :).  (Of course, it helps that I am not allergic to any of these plants) 

In our beekeeping efforts we realized that, in contrast to Utah Valley, there is not a significant pollen/nectar flow here in early summer. It comes much later when the native flora blooms. 

I have truly come to love the flowers found in deserts. Typically, they are not large or very showy but if you take the time to slow down and really look at them, you'll be blown away at the variety and beauty! And 'Yellow' season has quickly become a favorite of mine!

New MES Dedication

Yesterday was the dedication for the new elementary school building. It was a pretty large event and there were a lot of people there. Thankfully, the weather was nice and it was held outside.
After the formal, official speeches and ribbon-cutting, there was supper provided and games, face-painting and even a magician. The boys and I had some fun and were happy to be there as history was made. We love the new building and are thankful to have such a beautiful building to learn in.

Soren next to his teacher, singing a song or two.

Cute kids...

Soren got called up on stage to 'help' the magician. He got a disappearing penny trick for his trouble. All grins!

In front of the new school is a statue and around it are bricks that are inscribed with donor's names.
My mom (LaRue) donated to have a brick placed in Grandma Nina's honor. She taught at MES for 34 years.
I was the luckiest of her grandchildren as I was the only one who ever had her for a teacher!!
She was awesome. Loved her class and doing the Hokey-Pokey at field day!

Floor waxing dates!!

During the summer Curtis has to redo the finish on the floors at the high school. The last two years I've helped him with this job. He sands the old finish off and cleans the floors and then I help put the new finish on. I get to wear an awesome backpack pump sprayer. I spray the finish and Curtis uses a mop to spread it thinly and evenly on the tile floors. It take 3 coats to get the desired finish. So we put one layer on then sit in his office while it dries. We repeat to the third layer, then clean up and head home. It's best to do this while the school is empty so it's usually later at night or on the weekend.

Curtis and his trusty mop. It's so slippery I don't know how he keeps on his feet!

Lovely selfie of me and my trusty backpack! I've told Curtis that when I'm 60 I don't think I'll be able to carry that thing around. It holds 5 gallons of floor finish!!

Funny from the first year: we were going to put the second layer on a floor and as I was heading across the floor to the starting point I was pumping to build up pressure. I felt a spray coming down on me and wondered what it was but kept pumping. We finally realized the hose from the tank to the wand was loose and it was wax spraying up into the air with every pump I pumped! I was covered in floor finish. It was very funny. I was just pumping away saying, 'What's the spray?' 'Where's that coming from?'

Sidenote* it made GREAT haurspray! It took quite a bit of time in the shower and a lot of shampoo to get it out!

Emerson Jacob Welch!

Jordan and Lindsey welcomed their first son, Emerson, into the world bright and early on Sept 3, 2014 at 6:04 am. He weighed 6 lb 1oz and was 18 in long. 

We are so thankful he's here safely and Lindsey is doing well. Can't wait to see him and hold him! Here are some pictures!

Mom and Emerson moving from birthing room to regular room. 

Emerson's first bed...a plastic crib!  ;)

Checking out his dad. He sure looks tiny next to Jordan's hand!

Looks like he wants to say something. Or eat the camera.

Back to school 2014-15

Cambria

 CAMBRIA
age 17, Senior at MHS

height: 5 ft, 7 in

favorite food: Baby turnovers made special by Ashley

favorite song: This is Gospel - Panic! At The Disco

 movie/show: The Proposal

favorite school subject/class: Surprisingly, her favorite class so far this year is College Algebra

Extracurricular Activities: Cross country, Track, working at our local pharmacy, School Play-Grease

Classes taking this year: Journalism, Choir, Architectural Design, Chemistry, English 12, Seminary, and College Algebra

Best friends: Mary, Ashley, Sierra, and Kesian 

Hannah

HANNAH

age 15, Sophomore at MHS
Class schedule this year: dance, math, LA, Ind Study, art, biology, health, seminary
Height: 5 ft 2 1/2 in
Favorite Food: All of It!
Favorite Song: This is How We Do - Katy Perry
Favorite Movie/Show: Captain America Winter Soldier
Favorite School Subject/Class: Art
Extracurricular Activities: Cheer/Drill Team, School Play - Grease
Friends: Amy, Cambria, Addison, Yeni, Lacey, Riley, Easton, and Kolby

Sadie

SADIE

age 13, 8th Grade at MHS
Class schedule this year: Math, US History, Science, study hall, LA, Jr high choir, Jr high band, PE
Height: 5 ft 2 1/2 in
Favorite Song: Distance - Christina Perry and Jason Mraz
Favorite Movie/Show: Amazing Spiderman 2
Favorite Food: All Food
Favorite Subject: Music
Extracurricular Activities: Basketball
Friends:

Soren

 SOREN
age 8, 3rd grader at MES

height: 4 ft, 6 1/2in

favorite food: pizza

favorite song: Everything is Awesome

favorite movie/show: Ninjago

favorite school subject/class: reading

Teacher: Mrs. Butler

Best friends: Ryan, Kaden, Curtis

Charles in front of the new Elementary School

 CHARLES
age 5, Kindergartener at MES

height: 3 ft. 11 1/2 in.

favorite food: pizza

favorite song: John the Baptist

favorite movie/show: Lego movie

favorite school subject: computer

Teacher: Ms. Stephanie

Best friends: Carter, Louie, Braxton, Noah, Aaron

James

JAMES
age 3, preschooler at home

height: 3 ft 4 1/2 in

favorite food: pizza

favorite song: When Can I See You Again (Owl City)

favorite movie: Lego movie

favorite school part: number/sticker book

Teacher: Mom

Best friends: Soren, Charlie