May 31 - Weeded the Flower Bed

Today Wendy and the kids weeded the flower bed out by the deck.  Nothing like a nice flower bed with no weeds!

Mariah, thanks for taking these pictures

May 30 - Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, which officially honors the men and women who died while serving the American military.  Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.  Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.  (source www.history.com./topics/memorial-day-history)

I want to take a moment to thank those men and women who died while protecting the freedoms that I enjoy.

Unofficially, Memorial Day is also a day to reflect on those loved ones who have passed on.  I am grateful for the history of both the Welch and the Bates family!

May 29 - O my Bleeding Heart

Ok - so I had to catch up about three weeks of posts - hey, what can I say - I have been busy.  It might be best if you start reading on May 9 (the posts are written in order).

Below are some pictures of Wendy's bleeding heart.

May 28 - Visiting Graves and Snow?

Today Wendy and the kids went to visit graves.  I got the opportunity to attend the baptism of a young man who will soon be getting the priesthood and joining the Teacher's quorum.  I think we both had a good day.

Below are some pictures that Wendy took.

Also there is a picture of snow below.  I almost did not put it in but as this is at the cabin, and it is of melting snow, I thought it was ok.

May 27 - Clean Room and the meaning of a yellowlLight

This is something that you don't see very often, a clean room from a teenage boy!  Look at how clean Tyler's room is.

Also,  if you want to see the first thing on television that I say my dad laugh at (that I remember), then click on the link below.  This has to do with a "Yellow Light" and Jeff Conaway (who passed away today).  This came back to my mind as someone forwarded me this link at the passing of Mr. Conaway.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6FmbMiIxws

May 26 - Tomato Plants in the Ground

We got our 5 tomato plants planted in the ground.  This is another thing that I helped out with in the garden.  Don't you think I should get an A+ for the work I am doing .......?

May 25 - .... But I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

For May 25 - 27 I spent my days here in a conference room (see post from May 24).  Very long days ......

May 24 - Long Day

This week at work I am spending all day in a conference room listening to different HR system vendors.  Our company is looking at a different system to do manage Talent Acquisition and Talent Management.

For May 23 and 24 I spent all day here ......

May 23 - More Apple Blossoms

Today I snapped another picture of the apple blossoms.  They are starting to get bigger.

May 22 - Peas coming up

As you can see from the below picture, we have peas coming up.  Also notice that there is no weeds!  So far so good with the garden.

May 21 - Strawberries are Planted

Today we planted the Strawberries!

May 20 - Micah's Idaho Program

Today I attended Micah's Idaho State program that was put on by the 4th grade class.  I didn't know much about Idaho history to it was a very educational experience for me.

You can see the pillow case that she made.  Also notice that Micah has no idea that I am there taking pictures of her.

May 19 - New Editor

Today Mariah's first paper came out where she is listed as the Editor of the paper.  She is very happy about this new assignment.

May 18 - Apple Blossoms

Today I took a picture of the apple blossoms that are growing on the trees.  They are just starting to come out!  We hopefully will get a good crop of apples this year!

May 17 - Soccer Practice

Today Micah had soccer practice.  Usually Wendy play's "Soccer Mom" and runs her to practice, but tonight she had more important things to do.  So I got to take her to practice.

May 16 - Strawberry Planter

I know that this is not the most impressive strawberry planter in the family.  I look at Grandpa Bates and Rod's planters and this is a cheap knockoff, but hey, what can I say?  At least I am trying.

Wendy had to do some work tonight, so for FHE the kids and I cleared out our old strawberry plants and put in some new soil in the planter.  (Hey I am trying to help, so cut me a brake)  Maybe in a few days we will get some plant and start go grow a new patch.

May 15 - Nesting

Today I noticed a nest near our grapes.  We usually do get some birds to nest in this area, but they don't last.  It is not the best place to place a nest, but it is fairly protected from the wind.

May 14 - Raspberry Planting

Today we cleaned up our old raspberry patch (which never worked) and planted some new raspberry starts.  Hopefully these will do better than our last attempt.

This year I have made it a goal to be of more help in the garden.  So far I would give myself an A+.  I have weeded several times, cleared out some rocks, and done other things.  I am not sure that Wendy would give me a A+.  I think she is waiting to see if I last more than a month.

May 13 - Warning ...... Read with Caution

Consider yourself "mooned"

Got this picture of the moon during the early evening.  Hard to believe that it has been 30+ years since we have been to the moon.  Wonder where we would be with our space research if we continued our manned space program?

May 12 - Micah's Soccer Game

Tonight Micah had a Soccer game.  It was a hard fought battle where two mighty titan teams fought to a 1 - 1 draw.  These games are really fun to go to and the girls are starting to get the basic idea of positions.

May 11 - Rain go Away?

It has been raining the last few days in Idaho Falls.  Today the weather broke and I was able to snap this shot of the sun.  The weather has been a little crazy around here (it is Idaho).  One minute rain, the next minute sun, then followed by snow.

May 10 - Flower?

Remember when you picked these flowers for  your mother?  I do .....

We have a lot in our yard (even after "flower killer" - a.k.a. weed killer), so feel free to come and get a few.

Today was the last day at sea in our Alaska trip.  I had a great time last year and can't wait to do it again!

May 9 - Snake River - getting full!

Today I snapped this shot of the Snake River next to my work.  It may be hard to tell from this picture, but the river is very high.  This was taken near the walkway around Freeman Park.

I think we will not have any water issues this year.

Today's Alaska picture taken last year is a city view of Ketchikan as we pulled out of port.

Bonus Post - Bill Welch Blog

Just need to point out that my dad has posted a bunch of old pictures on a blog he started.  There is a lot of old pictures of the Welch family.

Make sure that you bookmark this site (as I would be my dad will continue to post embarrassing pictures of me)

http://billwelchspictures.blogspot.com/

May 8 - Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!  I want to say a special thanks to my mom.  I truly am grateful for the many things that she does for me and my family.  She has sacrificed so much and I know that I have not said thanks enough.  I love you mom!

Also need to say that I truly do love the mother of my children.  She is my best friend and I feel blessed everyday to have her as my wife.  She is a very hard worker and a great example.  I love you Wendy!

Wendy got a gift she has wanted for a while.  I did not have to go to the dress or flower shop to buy her gift.  I ended up going to the home improvement store.  She got a rototiller for Mother's Day!  

A mother understands what a child does not say

~ Unknown

Today's Alaska Picture 

May 7 - Free Comic Book Day

Today is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (but I bet that most of you already know this).  Hopefully you all made it to your local comic book store to get your free comics.  Tyler, Micah, Wendy and I made it to our store.  This is a picture taken outside the store with some of the security guards (they don't let everyone get in the store).

"With great power comes great responsibility"
From the Amazing Spider-Man

Today's Alsaka Picture - Wendy and I at Mendenhall Glacier

May 6 - Garden Plowed and Peas Planted

Wendy and I got the garden plowed and the peas planted.  I did the plowing and Wendy did the planting.  She planted 6 rows, so I hope that will be enough!

How luscious lies the pea within the pod
Emily Dickinson

Today's Alaska Picture

May 5 - One Year Ago

It was one year ago today that we went on the Alaska cruise.  In honer of this trip, I will post one picture a day of the events of last year.

This is just out side of Vancouver as we left port.

To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world.
John Muir

May 4 - That's a lot of $%@#

Today we unloaded a trailer load of manure.  It took use about 1 1/2 hours to get it loaded and spread out.  It was a lot more manure then we have put in the garden in a long time.  Thanks to everyone who helped get the manure to our home and the trailer back to it's rightful owner.

Making money selling manure is better than losing money selling musk
Egyptian Proverb

May 3 - Can't Wait Much Longer

The weather has not been great this spring.  I want to get out and hit the golf ball around.  However the weather is only good during work and poor on the weekends.  When will it be nice on the weekends?  My golf clubs are ready to go hit the ball.

Yoda: "I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience."

Obi-Wan: "He will learn patience."

May 2 - Tyler? and Sam's Club

Below is a random picture of Tyler (sorry Tyler but this was too good not to post).  We also went to Sam's Club tonight, so I thought I would snap a picture (at least it is not Walmart).

The stuff that dreams are made of
Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon (played by Humphrey Bogart)