Family Matters

Grandpa Dea & Rylee at her baptism, just 3 weeks before his passing.

This is not a fun post, or so one may think. You see, if I were to highligh moments in that enrich our lives, I wouldn't be able to skip past these somewhat uncomfortable photos. Uncomfortable because they are of death and resemble loss (and that loss will be felt forever), but they also resemble a man whose life was spent loving, serving and enriching others. A man who honestly always had a smile on, always laughing and cheering you on. One who lead by example. One who cared for others endlessly, and never spoke ill of anyone. Always up for a good time. Who was a living testimony of what he believed. Yes, he is (and always will be) a highlight in our lives. We gathered as family to honor and celebrate his life last week. Death is a funny thing, it stops you in your tracks. Makes you think about what is really important. Makes you appreciate the family you have. Makes living a little more meaningful! Miss you Grandpa...

The Welch clan, except Trent & Laura-Cole & jake, Garrett, Torah, & babies; London, Sam, Sadie & Logan.

Good Weekend

With the news that our good weather is about to end, we put all yard work, errands, & "to-do's" on hold and just did some good ol' playing!


Boston (5 years)

Nash (3 years)

Bo, Nash & Tate (our son that we share with the Medina's :))

The boys love to take their bikes to the skate park and cruz around. They are getting more crazy on those table tops all the time!!


Even Sadie and London got in on the skate park action! Go Marcus!

Playing at the park.

We enjoyed the nice evening at the pumpkin patch. And on the way home from our day with cousins & family & fun & sun....we stoped by "Old McDonald's" for a healthy dinner...ice cream cones! I don't think we got in a real solid meal all day or a nap for the little one, but we laughed and played till everyone was tuckered out. I love conference weekend. We love to spend time with our families, and we especially love this nice weather that we have to say goodbye to soon!

Each day is a gift

A series of events have taken place recently that has made me "stop & smell the roses", as my sis Heidi would say. Some things big, some things small, some are just little moments that stop me in my tracks. None the less, I'm not one that welcomes change. In fact, I hate change-I admit. But change makes us grow, learn and often times makes us more appreciative of each day that is given to us.

It wasn't too long ago that we were in Mexico with this cute guy (Grandpa Dea) and I put his snorkeling mask on so tight that he looked crazy (as you can see) but also gave him a headache the size of Texas.

We lounged on the beach eating chips and salsa.

We played together...


Made new friends together...


Had a few DC's together...

Even did water aerobics together...

Things changed today for him (& us). Life as he knows it is different now. Oh-how these memories are a gift!

Sadie

This girl melts me!

"REFRESH"

Ya know that "refresh" button on our computers that we can push to bring us back up to speed? Well, I've decided to hit that button with the blogging. I've been waiting for endless hours to be on my hands so that I can patiently scrapbook (hopefully digitally) and preserve our precious moments and events. Since life hasn't offered me those endless hours yet I have resolved to at least blog some of our sweet memories so that not one will sneak by us. Just in the last few weeks we have a wonderful and life changing things take place, in which I will begin there.


Rylee began her 3rd grade year and is loving it! Boston has started Kindergarten and is loving it as well. Although, I got a note in his bag the other day with a baggie full of papers. The note read; We found this homework in the corner of our classroom, we aren't sure why it hasn't made it home. When we asked Boston why he hasn't taken it home he replied that... "he don't do homework". Lovely!


Rylee was baptized this month! She looked beautiful in her white. Special day! Rylee has so many incredible people who support and love her. It was wonderful to share this special day with those we love!



We went to Incredible Pizza for some dinner, rides and celebrating. We had a great time playing together.

Spring break...what???

We have had one heck of a spring break. My kids have been looking forward to it, and frankly, so have I because "spring break" translates to...warm days with Easter activities, egg hunts, riding bikes, getting together with family and warm sunny days-I know I already mentioned that. We have had far from sunny days, no bikes, an egg hunt in a cold, windy typhoon, egg dying with more dye on my floor and kids clothes than on our eggs and snow!!! It hasn't been half bad though. To add to our cold break we visited the new penguin exhibit at the aquarium and saw a 3D show indoors. Why don't kids get cold? and why do they eat snow like it is some flavorful treat that they are deprived of all year long? I guess it doesn't matter-they are having a great time. We'll hope for more "spring-like" weather in the weeks to come.

Sadie's 1st Birthday!

So-it has been ages since I last blogged, but I can't get over my cute Sadie Jo. We celebrated her 1st birthday with family last night. You would never know that she isn't feeling well. She smiled (somewhat) and dove right into her cake, which doesn't look so lady-like, but she is our sweet little lady! I honestly couldn't love her more-she is pure joy to me and to our family. Thanks to our family for celebrating this day with us.