Come As You Aren't-- Halloween Party

We loved spending time with the Grandkids....they loved Wayne and only liked me. NO eye contact was made with Alfie or Tayla...they would just cry. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN....we held out extended Cole family Halloween costume party. 

"Come as you Aren't."

Everyone got into the spirt o the evening and dressed up.  It made me very happy.  I've decided I'm "all In" on Holidays and events.  No sitting on the sidelines for me.  I have to live everything twice now..once for me and once for my sister Marcie.  She loved Holidays and made them special for everyone around her.  I need to take up her slack.   She would have loved this party.

We had plenty of spooky food: Blood and Guts and Bones ( chile and breadsticks) for dinner and witches brew ( dry ice in rootbeer) and a lot of ghostly goodies: cake with eyes and gummy worms inside, ghost brownie, boo rice krispies and rice krispie monsters, apple spiders and mom's donut recipe that Liz and Al brought after making 10 dozen donuts the night before… it was really delicious.

I set up a “feel” box for the kids  with brains, guts, eyeballs, heart, toes and teeth ..they were creeped out, which is just what I wanted.  We played Mind Reader where we had to match our answers to Waynes,   Halloween scattegories, Spatula-man wehre you are blind folded and a victim is brought forward and you have to guess who it is just by feeling the person up with spatulas...no other touching, silent screams and death scenes..   Add and Bre set up a photo booth for everyone where we took these awesome shots..... and once most people had all gone home Alf as King Arthur went around and “sworded” all of us til we fake died then he kissed us awake.

Cruella, Jasper and Puppy...

Andrew as Pinocchio complete with strings, Sophia as Super Girl, and Alfie as Arthur from the Sword and the Stone

Al as an NFL ref and Liz with her baby hands....

Alex and Landon as Pirates with Pinocchio and Supergirl

Angela won best costume award.  Sophia got to choose...she loved FLO from progressive insurance ads. Preston as Jake from State Farm and Guy as Mayhem.  All insurance themed.

Casey as Signs boy and pregnant Becca as a hot dog.

Sword and the Stone...Beach Merlin ( Addison) Arthur ( Alf) and Madame Mim ( Bre)

Meghan as Madame Trelawney, Gary as the Cat in the Hat,  Hayden as Brexit..and Nelson as a Coach for the Vikings.

Jordan and Laurie with the Star wars boys

Jenna Cole

Rachel and Nano as Lucy and Ricky

Adam - Jake from State Farm....  and Christine... 

Preston's second costume...he made it himself

Monson as King LeBron James and Tayla as Be and Lexi as Yonce.

Witch's Brew

Back row:  Kimi Farley, Christina Barlow, Jill Allsop, Laura Belnap, Jana Uryan.  Front row;  Amber Crane, Kristi Farr, Annie Keuhne and Me in my witch makeup of course.  We also had Emilee Belnap Dahl, who came late.

I had my annual wear a witch hat and come to my house for lunch event.  This time it was more about meeting the new neighbor Annie Keuhne, who moved in to the west of me, so I invited neighbors just around me.  It was fun getting to know Annie better and hopefully she can start feeling more at home at this end of the ward.  

I love Halloween and and I love that my poor housekeeping, dust and spider webs all count as decor at this time of year.  I think that's why having a party in October doesn't bother me....and it's always low key, low stress, potluck anyway......

Tayla turns 1!

I can't believe it's been a year since this little one entered our lives. She is a wonderful addition to the Welch tribe.  Tayla is either bubbling over with happiness full of smiles for everyone, or she is mad and crying because she didn't get her way.   Hot or Cold.  No middle.  It's pretty entertaining when you are not the parent.  

Monson and Lexi just moved back to Bountiful from Fresno, California a few days before Tayla turned one...so we celebrated her birthday with family and friends in their new basement apartment.

 Tayla loved her baby dolls  and her push and play toys.  She got a lot of clothes and much needed diapers.

 Tayla dominated her CAKE.  She  loved picking at her frosting and finally eating her carrot cake.                                                         She made such a cute mess.

London/Scotland Trip.... Sept 24- Oct. 2 2016

BIG RED BUS TOUR/ JACK THE RIPPER TOUR

 Day 1.  Wayne, Laila and I arrived in London early Sunday morning after a day delay over airplane issues.  We should have arrived on Saturday at noon…oh well..We met up with Tru at the airport and got to our Marriot in Maida Vale London. Tru and  Laila slept for a bit then we were off to meet Ben and Jackee Belnap and then touring. Big red bus tour was best option for tired people to sit on the top of a double decker bus and view the sights. We Ate fish and chips and roast dinner at the Shakespeare pub. Primark Shopping, then Jack the Ripper tour going through alleyways and hearing about the gruesome murders and being right where they took place.

Laila’s favorite things were – Talking with Truman, Primark shopping,  and Learning things she didn't know about Jack the Ripper

Me:  seeing all the architecture and historical buildings from big red bus. Big Ben,  House of parliament, Shopping with Laila and Tru and the cool Graffiti street art 

 TOWER OF LONDON

 Day 2:  We were up and out early to the Tower of London. We were amazed at the history and the Crown Jewels. The Yeoman Beefeater tour was funny and interesting about the castle’s history and how it was built.  Truman left us to fly back for work around noon, then we trained up to Warner Brothers Studio and Harry Potter tour. We met up their with our friend Paula Carlson, she is on a mission at the London Temple.  Harry Potter Studio tour did not disappoint. So much creativity. Sets. Props. Costumes. Makeup special effects topped off with butter beer and butter beer flavored icecream. Laila was in HP heaven. She took 242 pics. Then dinner with Paula at local pub.

Laila’s faves:  Tower of London. Crown Jewels. Harry Potter tour - Hogwarts replica. The chihuahua, oyster, monkey Guy on the tube. 

Me:  Yeoman BeefEater tour at Tower of London.  Seeing Crown Jewels and medieval toilet.   Fish pie and a scone with clotted cream and jam. Tried a scotch egg.   Loved How excited Laila was about Harry Potter. 

HARRY POTTER WARNER BRO STUDIO

LONDON TEMPLE

 TOWER BRIDGE TOUR/ WALKING THE SOUTH BANK

 Day 3:  2 hour tube/ train ride to London Temple where we met up with Sister Paula Carlson. I brought my old Recommend and the temple had to wake Bishop Belnap up at 2 in the morn so I could get in temple. Baptisms went great…. Then British lunch in cafeteria with steamed pudding and custard sauce.

We trained back to London that afternoon for the Tower bridge tour with Ben and Jackee Belnap and Paula.  So cool seeing the road and cars below through the glass walkway. Walked the south bank of the Thames. It was filled with lovely, quaint alleyways and picturesque river and bridges. Dinner at Italian place. Pizza express. Funny name for how fresh and delicious it was. We are living on Cadbury chocolate buttons and milk chocolate digestive cookies. 

Laila loves seeing all of the double decker red busses. 

Day 4: Leave London to train up to Scotland first class on Virgin train. First class means lots of room, sitting at tables, where the train stewards offer drinks and food over the 4 1/2 hr train ride.  We saw Rolling green hills,  Sheep,  Misty weather and we finally greeted our people...George and Eileen Sharkey.  I can’t describe the joy we felt as we got off the train and into a group hug.

 Day 5: Scotland weather is wild!!Horizontal rain one minute and the next it's sunny. This is repeated over and over all day long. We are staying at the Gilardi's- the famous "Stobbs the Baker" with delicious sweeties and breads. Laila and Wayne went with Umberto to the bakery and came home with all sorts of goodies. My favorite is the honeymoon- a bar chocolate with Rice Krispies mixed in over Carmel and coconut.

Nancy and David McLean came up from Stranraer to spend the day with us shopping at Primark,  Malta, Toyshop, Thornton's and the Pound store. They brought one of their dogs, of course. It rained buckets. Then we all gathered at Karen's home with 4 year old Nolan showing off and begging for Laila's attention. Wee one year old  Imogen  is teething and not too happy. Karen and Liam live in a 1905 brownstone that's so charming. Eileen made delicious lasagna, salad, sweet potato fries and profiteroles with chocolate and  icecream  for dinner and dessert. So thankful my parents served their mission in Scotland so we can know these fine people. We are blessed.

 Day 6: Umberto made us a proper Scottish breakfast. Featuring haggis, black pudding, square sausage, link sausage, egg, potato scone, pancake, baked beans, bacon and toast.  So much food all on one plate. Laila was a good sport and tried it all except the beans and the bloody black pudding sausage. Wayne cleaned his plate.

Karen and Liam Brodie took us to Edinburgh Castle and we walked the Royal mile to see the fun shops. The castle is amazing. So much history that I love but it bores Laila.  George treated us all to dinner at Soutter Johnnys in Kirkoswald with George and Eileen and the Gilardis.  Laila stayed at Karen's and played with the kids, watched movies and had McDonalds. She needed a parental break by then.

 Day 7: up at Gilardis another breakfast made by Umberto  of bacon- egg -slice roll from his bakery. He made us lunch for the train ride too complete with Irn Bru- Laila's favorite, new drink. Umberto shared his stories of how he became a baker and how he joined the church and why it's ok to question as long as we are faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We said goodbye to Karen and the kids and the lovely Gilardi family with promises of returning.

.

On couch:  Nolan Brodie, Eileen Sharkey, David McLean, Nancy McLean, Laila, Karen Brodie holding Imogen, George Sharkey, Melinda and Wayne

Around the table...Wayne, Christiana Gilardi, Eileen Sharkey, Angela Gilardi, Santino Gilardi, Umberto Gilardi, Melinda and George Sharkey

The Sharkey's took us  to Glasgow. We shopped around for a bit then finally had to say goodbye at the train station. We could not stop crying and hugging and crying some more. Leaving the Sharkey's waving at the train platform felt like losing my parents again. Laila and I ugly sobbed for awhile on the train.  We arrived back in London and ubered out to our hotel closer to Heathrow airport in the rain. 

Day 8: This day was all about traveling back home and thinking about all the great things we did this past week in London and the amazing Scottish people we got to hang around. Ahhhhh....  There was only one first class ticket left for the flight home so Wayne insisted I have it again. He's a doll.  It's been an exhausting day. 

Monson and Tender Mercies

We have seen so many Tender mercies lately, so many times when the Lord’s hand is visible in our family’s life.

Monson and Lexi thought they had a 5 year California "employment plan" and moved to Fresno with all confidence of making money in Pest Control and starting their own company with former mission companion Preston.  Well, there were too many promises made and  not enough kept, and Monson and Lexi were feeling disillusioned and vulnerable about what their future held in California and were missing too many family and friends in Utah and wanted to move back.  The problem is they  signed a year lease on their apartment, so are stuck there till then, or will have to pay a $2000 fee to get out of the lease.  What to do?? Monson got a phone call out of the blue from a mission companion that needs a place to lease because they have to have their baby in California for the insurance to be good.  "The baby is due any day, and could Monson and Lexi move out now?"  Tender Mercy

Monson reached out to family and friends for job/career ideas  and got an interview with VISA  at Thanksgiving point.    Monson got Landon to help with this resume, and  Alex helped with interview practice..and Monson passed the first 2 interviews and found out he was in the top three for a good job….but the guy hiring wanted an in person interview with him. 

Monson reached out Wayne and Wayne got him a flight here on Delta- here for a day- to have an interview.  

Well…….when Monson and Lexi flew home 3 weeks ago, Monson left his wallet on an Allegiant plane, and now his Wallet was in Allegiant’s lock box waiting for Monson to return and pick it up.  LAX, is 4+ hours away from Fresno, so getting there wasn’t happening any time soon.  When Monson got this interview, his plan was to fly out of LAX and pick his wallet and ID up along the way so he could get through security.  (His passport is in Bountiful.)   Well Allegiant was no where to be found..just a closed desk with no one insight.  All Allegiant phone calls went to their Las Vegas office, and they were zero help.  At the last minute Lexi told Monson to take his Social security card, just in case.   Well Monson got through LAX security with just his Social security card and his Dewy pest control photo ID.  Tender Mercy…. And then he took a wrong turn and exited  the airport and had to go through security again, but this time it was a little harder.  4 security agents, couldn’t believe the first guy had let him through and ended up deliberating for quite some time and then let him through to his gate AGAIN.  That’s right a Social security card and a Dewy pest control photo id that looks like it was made at RS homemaking night.   Tender Mercy.

Monson got here without his suit …and Sunday shoes.  Well we bought him a new pair of shoes, and in my coat closet was one of Grandpa Lyle’s old suits, that I hadn’t DI’d yet.  It fit him perfectly.  He went to his interview looking so sharp.  Angel Grandpa Lyle was helping out.    Tender Mercy

In deciding to move Monson and Lexi back to Bountiful we asked Brad and Karen if they might have an apartment available..…they did, but even better, they mentioned to Jessica Butters Everett and she has her basement apartment available as of Nov. 1st… Tender Mercy.    This is the perfect set up for them..a home ward and low rent while they are trying to pay bills and make some money. Monson and Lexi will be living with us out of a suitcase for a few weeks, then into the apartment.

I wish I could end this by talking about how Monson got the job…..the biggest tender mercy of it all….. I can’t.  The process is not done yet.  He interviewed with “the guy” who then wanted him to meet and talk to the VP in charge …so that’s a good sign.  We will have to wait for the rest of the story.

Family…is great.

God is good.

Tender mercies exist and happen all around us, all of the time.  We need to take the time to recognize and be grateful.

Welnapley Time

The Welches, Belnaps and Farleys all gathered for another fun filled weekend in St. George to celebrate Bob Farley's Birthday.  Wayne and Bob called it a work rejuvenation time.  It's easy to run away when you can take your work partner with you and just keep working.  

We got tickets to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Tuacahn.  Hunchback only had a sign with 2 head holes...so we put our faces in the Tarzan sign instead, because there was three...one for me,  Kimi and Laura.  The musical was so moving with amazing voices but a sad dark tale and I probably don't need to ever go out of my way to see it again.  

 Beautiful, Beautiful Zions Hike with the Farleys and Eric Belnap

 We hiked Hidden Canyon in Zions.  It was so beautiful and on a scale of 1 to Angel's Landing it was about a 7. Eric wanted us to enjoy a, "white knuckle suffer fest.  A lung burning, hip smokin, knee carnage maker, blitzkrieg, blastomatic no holds barred bonding hike with friend  time together."  He's funny. THe hike was much easier than that.   We also went up to Weeping rock.

 There was an arch at the end of Hidden Canyon.

 ......and some Stone Cairns...stacked up rocks.
We grabbed lunch with Heidi and Lance Bingham...they love living in St. George.  We went to the movie Sully ...and feasted on Popcorn.
Then Pickleball and Bike riding were on the docket.

The pickle ball boys... Wayne has a bad sciatic back pain, Bob is recovering from a cracked sternum and Eric had a bike crash which made his shoulder ache and his knee....so they are all pretty messed up, but very competitive anyway.   Getting old is not for sissy's.

 I haven't ridden much this summer because of my sore elbow..but it's getting better...and it felt good to do 26 St. George red rock miles.

Fairy Tale Festival

Laila and I participated in Centerpoint Theatre's Fairy Tale Festival and we had a blast.  Laila got to be with the Princesses and be Jasmine.... She was darling with all of the children and really took time to talk to them and knelt down to be on their level.  There was one cute boy dressed as Aladdin that really wanted a pic with her.  Laila got to do both Daddy Daughter Balls...which are just so sweet with the Dad's all dressed up and their daughters in princess attire..... and be part of the procession and dance with the kids.

I had a riot running around as Cruella Deville demanding puppies from the children, and basically scaring everyone.  I sang on the steps "Step sister Lament," and "So Long Dearie" dressed as Cruella...

I was on the committee  and have spent the past months planning and preparing for this event.  Getting volunteers, purchasing craft supplies etc.... then spent all day Friday setting up so we could be open to the public Friday from 4-8 then Saturday from 10-8....it's a bit deal.   The festival included craft booths, and free carnival games and pirate play area, bounce houses, a balloon artist, vendor booths, food booths, live entertainment.  partici-play, story telling hall, once upon a story book, knights in training, pirate scallawag school, a wishing well to make cards for primary children's, little girl hair do's and make overs, face painting, and ended with an adult Villains ball.... so many activities.

Alfie was not happy  about me in a Cruella Deville costume... He liked the puppy but would never make eye contact with me.