July 31 - July Sky

Last night after I got home from Scout Camp, Wendy was ready to paint one wall in the kitchen. She has been wanting to do this for some time. So after a shower and a nap, we were ready to paint. Wendy did most (okay - ALL) of the prep work, which is the hard part. We put too coats of "July Sky" (an actual color) on the wall. We were done and cleaned up by 8:30 p.m. Wendy will be doing some "crafty" stuff to this wall, so it will not look so bare.

July 30th - Singing at Scout Camp

There is always a lot to do at Scout Camp. I snapped this picture of some of our troop singing at flag ceremony in the morning. Tyler got 5 merit badges this year. Not as many as last year, but that is because he had most of them already done. I think this puts him over 25 total (maybe pushing 28). He has got one more required one for the Eagle (Citizenship in the World) that we hope to earn at a pow-wow this November. Tyler is doing awesome in his Scouting. I hope that he gets his Eagle project done by this time next year. Way to go Tyler!

July 29th - Moose on the Loose

Today was another two picture day. The picture on the left is of a moose that I found in the Snake River in Swan Valley. I was on my way up to Scout Camp to spend the night with the troop (and Tyler was up there). The second picture is of another moose in the water that I found at Scout Camp. If Tyler does not stop growing, he is going to be as tall as a moose.

July 28th - New Rock!

This must be a rock week at the Welch's. Today, after a long 11 years, we finaly got rock out in our front yard. All Wendy could do was keep saying, "we have rock, we have rock". This lasted for about 3 hours. I think we are the last house in the area to do someing with their front.

July 27th - New Window!

They are rock sealing almost every road in Idaho Falls. On Friday, July 23, I got a rock chip in my window. The second the rock hit my window starting cracking. By 4:00 in the afternoon the crack was about 7 inches long. I took it to a rock chip place to see if they could stop it, they called the insurances place and they said I needed to replace my window. So today I got my new window. Doesn't it look nice? Lets hope that I don't get hit with another big rock. I think the window and repair places like it when cities start rock sealing.

July 26th - Pool Party!

Mariah had a pool party which was hosted by her bosses. She works at a local skating rink and the entire work crew and their families were invited. The Wilmots (Mariah's bosses) live in our ward and are a great family. They are loving and they care about others. It is great that we can call them our friends. In this picture we see Micah crashing in to Mariah. This was a great action shot that Wendy captured.

July 25 - Grandpa's Birthday

We loved celebrating Grandpa Bates 70th birthday. There was lots of food and fun (as there ususally is when the Bates family gets together).

July 24th - IF Air Show - Two Bags!

We spent today out in the sun at Derek's place. He lives close to the airport, so we had good seats for the show. We all got sun burned as we watch planes fly around for about 4 hours. They had old plans, stunt plans, and the Blue Angles. This is a picture of them flying in formation. We had Becky, Derek, Grandma and Grandpa Bates, and Lance and his family. We all had a good time!

Below is a link to an article by Rick Rielly who talked about his experience flying in a F-14. This is a very funny read.

http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/624595-BANANAS-amp-MILK-DUDS

July 23 - Which Way is Up?

This is a picture that Wendy took at the practice run for the IF Air Show this weekend. These are 4 of the 6 Blue Angles that will be flying in the show this weekend. Wendy went to the practice run at the IF Soccer Complex, which is accross the street from the airport runway. She had a great time (but I am not sure that all the kids did). In this shot there are four plans, two of which are upside down. They are not very far off the ground. We are going to the show tomorrow, so you will be seeing one more picture of these machines.

July 22 - Pack Meeting

Tonight was pack meeting. Tyler is a "Dener" which means he helps out one of the Cub Scout packs in our ward. Tyler helps with the Weblow group. This is a picture of some of the Weblows getting some awards. Tyler works with Bro Creasey, who is also our home teacher. We love the Creasey family! Notice his nice shorts!

July 21st - Wyoming Wildlife

Wendy took this picture of the kids when she went to Star Valley Wyoming today with Grandpa Bates. Even though our kids were not born in Wyoming, we think the last part of the sign fits ..... "Wildlife".

July 20th - YW Softball

Tuesday means Dad gets to spend the night with the youth in the ward. Tonight the YW played softball. Mariah was playing 3rd base when I took this picture. I did see a few scouts from the Colorado Rockies so she is expecting a call any day.

July 19th - Golf Time

Monday means Jr. Golf Day, which means that Tyler and Micah hit the links. I was lucky enough to go with them today. Wendy took this picture of us standing at hole #4 - a par 4 at Sage Lakes. It was a beautiful day (a bad day on the golf course is better then a great day at work).

July 18 - Tyler Teaching

Today Tyler taught his first Sunday lesson. He taught the Deacon's Quorum about the Word of Wisdom. He did a great job. He started off with a quiz, then taught some principles, and then shared his testimony. He had zero help from his dad, which explains why he did so well. If he keeps this up, he will be teaching every Sunday!

July 17 - Game at Grandma's House

Today we picked up Tyler and Micah from Grandma's house. They had a good week! Today was also the day of Wendy's xx year reunion (I left out the year so you could not figure out Wendy's age). True love is when you go to a high school reunion with your wife when you have no clue who anyone is and know that you will never see these people again (at least until the next reunion, but by then I will have forgotten everyone).

July 16 - Camp Clean up

It would not be camping without the cleanup. This picture was taken as the girls cleaned up their camp site. Not a bad morning. We had camp all broke down and checked out by 10:00 am. We all went home and took a long nap, except for Mariah who had to go to work. It is tough being a responsible teenager!

July 15 - Girls Camp

I could not resist posting this picture of Mariah. She had a great time at camp (I know the picture does not show it). Every year the Bishopric goes up and cooks for the girls. It is always fun to go up. We have a good time. Thanks to all the leaders and families who allowed everyone to go up. It was a great camp!

July 14 - Work

Not much to say here, as this is the building that I work at. I love working for the Idaho National Lab.

July 13 - Home Alone

Sad day for me. I am all alone as Wendy and Mariah are at girls camp, and Tyler and Micah are at the cabin.

July 12 - Girls Camp Trailer

Here is a picture of our church trailer used for both girls and scout camp. Today is the first day of girls camp and this trailer is loaded down with "tons" of food. Wendy was in charge of the meals and she spent the entire week at camp. They had a good time and everyone was safe (except for a couple of "minor" problems). No one died, so it was successful. Thanks to Becky, Grandma and Grandpa Bates for watching Tyler and Micah this week (you will notice pictures on their blog of my kids causing problems).

July 11 - Church

As I spend 48 Sundays a year at this building from 7:00 am to about 3:30, I thought I would post a picture of this building. I am not complaining about the time at church, as it is an honor to serve in the Lord's Kingdom. I work with great men and learn a lot about what I need to do better every week.

July 10 Kevin's Eagle Project

Today my good friend, Kevin Creasey, did his Eagle Project which I was lucky enough to help out with. He did a blood drive for the Red Cross. He worked really hard to get most of the ward out. It is hard to say no to Kevin!

July 9th - Idaho Falls Temple

I love to go to the temple! I started my day here, and I saw the sun shining off Angle Moroni and thought it would make a good picture.

July 8th - Golf Time

Had to put two pictures on today. Micah, Tyler and I played the "short course" at Sand Creek golf course. We had a ball ... ha ha. The three of us love to go out and hit the ball around. Micah and Tyler are part of the Idaho Falls Jr. Golf program, so expect more pictures of them on the course.

July 7th

Picture of Mariah and the new iPad. Notice that Mariah is wearing her Colorado Rockies shirt. What more is there to say!

July 6th

Back in Idaho Falls. I took this picture during lunch. This is the "famous" Idaho Falls (yes this is as big as they get in our town). I did think it was appropiate to include this as I do love living in Idaho, and this is a great place to be.

July 5th

This is a picture of Becky and Luke Black. This is a very common site, with kids on Becky's lap. Becky is the favorite aunt.

July 4th

Sunday, July 4th. This picture was taken shortly after we got back from church. I know it was "shortly" after as all my kids are still in their Sunday clothes.

July 3

I had many pictures to choose from today, as I spent the morning at the Teton Ballon Festivel and the afternoon with the Blacks, Bates and our family at the cabin. This is not the best picture I took this day, but I like this one as it has the Teton's in the background (I really like the Tetons).

July 2, 2010 - Day 1 of the Adventure

I thought I would start with a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Bates. This was taken at the base of the Tetons on the Idaho side, near Cascade Falls. We spent the July 4th weekend at the cabin in Victor Idaho.