Have a Rockin 28th Jeph!

Happy 28th ADAM ADAMS!

Thanks Patricia, love the new summer look!

And we are working on opening a big old lemonade stand! LOL

Happy Graduation Trey!!!

Four year seminary graduate! and a speaker as well!

All those early mornings getting himself up and out the door, (it was better that way trust us;) paid off. Congrats big Guy-well done.

Happy Mama's Day

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MAMA!!!

Thanks for being so amazing, caring and fabulous!!
We all love you!!

Vote!!!

Remember to vote for Val in the Mormon Times Music Showcase please! Love you all!

VOTE FOR VAL HERE!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Today's holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. The outnumbered Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had known no defeat for almost 50 years. For more info on Cinco de Mayo you can go here. It's a good excuse to enjoy some good Mexican food and to try to fit a siesta into your schedule! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Marshall Prom 2009

What fun a guy can have with a corvette!
All the Prom activities were fun as well;)
Our last prom shindig until the grandkids go.
We have great memories of so many proms,
this one was as good as the rest and all
those wonderful welchkin smiles are etched in our memories.

What a Wonderful Easter Vacation!

We thought we needed to post some pictures of our
fun Easter adventure. We may have missed General Conference
due to our crazy travel adventure, but what fun we had.
Thanks to our great hosts!

The Story Of Stuff

Eric and I thought this was something everyone should watch. Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day 2009!

We hope you're having a warm
and sunny Earth Day!
We hope you are having some
'green' success in our green year.
We love the daily suggestions
from the 'green calendar'.
Three things we have been
some success with are:

1. Using reusable cloth bags at the store.
We have found thatsome stores (not Walmart)
give a 5-10 cent refund for each bag.
Put them in between the front seats where
you unbuckle your seat belt, then you
see them as you get out.

2. Using cloth napkins for the day or
several days instead of paper napkins
or paper towels has really worked well
for us. Sam's sells great white restaurant
napkins, maybe we could get
some and split them.

3. Using less plastic water bottles.
Using filtered water and
refillable's definitely helps the
pocketbook as well as the earth!

We'd love to hear of anything that
is working well at your houses.
Have a wonderful green day and remember,
EVERYDAY IS EARTH DAY!

Hoppy Easter Everybunny!

Our Crazy Adventure in Photos

Millions I tell you of them! Can you see the line of semi's stretching forever into the distance. More than imaginable!




This is what we saw all the way from Sydney, NE to Utah when we looked out the window.




Can you see the sideways snow? This guy was actually walking pretty upright compared to the rest of us:)



My companions in our crazy adventure...they made it even more adventurous, trust me!



This was what it looked like out our window for hours and hours. Plus this is what we walked out into to wait in our cars during the fire.

What an Adventure! The really condensed version!!

Friday we prepared to go to Utah.
We had gotten tickets to both the
Saturday afternoon session and the
Sunday morning session at the
conference center. We are really
trying to be better people and more
spiritual so we were really anxious
to go. Dad and Trey had never been
and I think I went once years ago
when I was small.
And from that moment until now we
have been on one wild “adventure”.
It started with a last minute call
about showing the house while we
were gone which involved a more
extensive cleaning plan which then
set us back 2 ½ hours from leaving.
It then went on to wind and snow,
which the forecast said would be
rain until the next day, to a full
blown wicked blizzard, to closed
freeways and an extra night in a
hotel room which turned into a
electrical power outage hotel room,
then a fire alarm, leave the building
into a roaring blizzard while sitting
in your car waiting for the fire
department to work on a smoky
electrical fire for over an hour
hotel room while helping strangers
carry children out and trying not to
scare them (turns out they were
from Utah!) finally returning to the
powerless room and getting ready for
bed in cell phone one light!
We got power at 2am and awoke to a
still closed freeway! We decided to
stay and watch on the internet
(like we had the day before) the
morning session since we had looked
forward to it so much even though we
weren’t there, we were really looking
forward to hearing the prophet.
The talks all conference seemed meant
for us. It was a great session but
as the prophet got to the best part
of his talk (apparently what we were
needing to hear) the computer froze!
We tried everything only to have it
continue as he said amen! We then
determined that the adversary must
surely not have wanted us to be there
and hear these inspirational words
and also to be in Utah with our family
because he was working hard to stop us!
But we laughed in his face, and set out
to continue the journey. The freeway
had finally opened and we along with
a million, trust me this hardly seems
like an exaggeration,
semi trucks began our journey.
Then it was way way too many trucks,
still bad roads and 4 times coming
to complete stops on I80 while waiting
to go on, but we continued our adventure!
We may be giving Job some competition
but We the Welchkins will now and
always endure! Because this family
knows…Love is all you need! Right!!?

pictures soon!

Leecy T's pneumonia

The winds blew, the pollen scattered
and our sweet Leecy T now has
allergy induced pneumonia.
She rode an ambulance from the doctors
to the hospital and she is now in the hospital.
It gives a new meaning to "the more the merrier"
in a hospital room.
Keep a speedy recovery in your prayers.<3

Soccer...next generation :)

Grampy and Lainey Bug the future soccer star.

Val showing his scoccer skills.

Proud mama Steph and Mr. Lennon learning the ropes.

She scores!

Leecy T quite a soccer prodigy and so pretty as well!

Happy Pi Day!

Pi=3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510 ...... well, you get the idea!





In honor of pie day make yourself a pi(e) or go splurge and buy a piece somewhere! After all, it only happens once a year! :)

Happy 33rd B-Day Val!

Halfway Celebration! It's been a Year!

We are so grateful for the awesome missionary he is!
We love ya Elder Bubba!

Happy Fat Tuesday

It's time to party it up, and ....eat!!!

Happy Mardi Gras ya'll!

Happy 18th B-Day Trey (Tex)...Welcome to Adulthood!!

Katchie's Surgery Day

She made it through with flying colors!
(The IV is the tough part)
We are so glad it's over and hope her jaw will feel terrific!

Happy Hearts Day!

When God measures man, He puts the tape around his heart -- not his head.

We love you forever!

Happy Friday 13th 22nd Birthday MaryRose - A lucky One!

Trey and Mary D-Snow Dance 2009

Cute couple. What a good looking guy, gotta love that smile:)
Check out that vintage 70's velvet jacket.

Music Showcase

Hey family--we need your support! Val has entered a music showcase through Mormon Times, featuring his song "What Would Jesus Have Me Do?" This is an amazing song, as they all are, and the finalists are determined based on votes. So we need your help! Tell EVERYONE you know! Let's get Val to the finals! Here's what you do....
First, go to
http://music.mormontimes.com/index.php?ref=mtHomeAD

Then,
go the the Showcase link (in between Most Viewed and User Videos)

Next,
Scroll down to Val Moore and click on his image. Once you do this there should be a button saying "vote for this song". You can also become his fan! You may have to register for the site, but I promise they won't send you anything! You can vote once per day, per person through February 14th.

Please help us out and tell everyone you can think of! Go back and vote EVERY DAY! We are always so thankful for our families support! Thanks you guys!

Happy Groundhog Day

I think in Minnesota it ALWAYS sees it's shadow! Times 10.

The Biggie T 53rd-The Fun has just Begun!

Year of the Ox

Happy Chinese New Year! At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

I figured we could all use a little good luck--so throw on something red and splurge on some yummy chinese food and celebrate! Some things you can do today to bring luck: open the windows and doors, eat sweets and change the sheets on the bed!

America's Song

This is such a beautiful new song performed by some really awesome artist.
I wanted to share this since we are all thinking toward the hope and change in our beautiful America.
For 24 hours you can download it for free.


http://www.oprah.com/article/world/20090119_tows_americassong

HOPE

The 44th President and the First Family.

A great quote from his speech:

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

If you didn't get to hear his address, there was a lot to find hope in.
Click here to read it:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/20/national/inauguration09/main4737816.shtml

You know you've had enough winter when...

My friend Connie M. sent me this today
and with the actual temps going to be
around 24 below zero tonight with
wind chill closer to 50 below
(Our highs are still in the negatives
at mid day),
I couldn't resist posting this.
Like I like to say,
Gotta Love Minnesota!

2009

Here is a poem that Mom found in the newspaper today, and I thought I would pass it on for all of you to enjoy!

Share your gifts and talents
Listen with your heart,
Do the things you dream about
but don't have time to start.
Pick a bouquet of flowers
Show someone that you care,
Be gracious and forgiving
Life is never fair.
Hold on to your courage
You may need it down the road,
We all have a cross to bear,
It could be a heavy load.
If you practice all these things
No matter where you roam,
You may find both sun and rain
But you'll never feel alone.

-Author Unknown

May 2009 bring all of us many wonderful things!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

Peace on Earth

Merry 3rd Day of a Green Christmas!

I had to post this Santa Lennon photo,
If that face doesn't bring a smile
I don't know what will!
Have a great smiley third day.

Merry 12 Days of Christmas!

From the 1st Day to the 12th
No matter where you are.
We have you in our hearts
whether you're near or far.

So may each day bring you a smile
and help you live your life more green.
We're so excited for the 12th day
For then your faces we'll have seen:)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I believe!

This article was on one of my friend's blogs and I thought I would share it, because I do believe in Santa Claus and I hope that you all still believe as well!
The Truth About Santa Claus
"The most stupid falsehood that ever wounded the trusting heart of childhood is the smug "admission" that there is no Santa Clause. When we tell a child that Santa Claus comes on Christmas Eve, we tell a truth so beautiful that it is difficult to believe anyone could do such a wicked thing as to tarnish that truth. Anyone who tells a child that DADDY is Santa Claus is helping to spoil Christmas for the whole world. Daddy indeed! He flatters himself. He may be the finest Daddy in the land - but he isn't Santa Claus. Can Daddy touch the heart of all the world, and for a day make loving kindness bloom where only selfishness and greed appeared before? No; only Santa Claus can do that. And there's a special reason for using jolly old St. Nicholas as the surest symbol of a blessed and very real thing. All our lives, truths are placed before us in symbolic form - not to deceive us, but to impress the truth upon us more convincingly. And, of course, when we are very young we comprehend only what we can see, feel, hear, smell, or taste. Who ever thought a child was being deceived when Mother said - "Bundle up warmly before you go out, or Jack Frost will nip your ears"? The day your child "learns the truth about Santa Claus" should be your opportunity for one of the happiest heart-to-heart talks of a lifetime - your opportunity to teach the deeper, holier truth about Christmas; the truth of the deathless power of love, returning year after year. Hang up a stocking on Christmas Eve? Certainly! Do you dare to say that on that holy night no returning spirit of the Babe of Bethlehem enters your home, blots out unkind thoughts, bids us give gifts as the Wise Men did, and spreads peace on the earth to men of good will? Call the Spirit what you will. Every word we tell the babies is the living blessed truth. It is a Spirit that brings the gifts. . . and for my part I love the dear old name we have always used. I still believe in Santa Claus." -Lionel B. Moses