Aug 3 - Cannon Beach

Here is a log of the items that we did this day.

I get up and take a hour and half walk on the beach.

Wendy and I attend sales pitch on becoming a member of this "timeshare". This takes all morning, but we get $75 for our time and some "points" added back on to my parents account.

We go to Cannon beach to see tide pools. We see Haystack rock, walk about a 3 miles (at least). I take pictures of a couple that got engaged in front of me. We go to farmers market and buy fruit, Clam Chowder from Moe's, some bread brownies. We come back "home". I fall asleep, and kinds go swimming on beach and in pool. Tyler gets sick (from the sea water), like I did when I was young. We go shopping and buy funny hats and play games at video place. We eat pizza at local place. Great Day!

Aug 2 - Multnomah Falls

It was a long drive from Boise to Seaside. On the way, we drove through the Columbia River Gorge, which was a very nice drive. Along the way we stopped at Multnomah Falls. One of the more famous waterfalls in Oregon.

Here is a specific list of activities we did this day:

Drive from Nampa, ID to Seaside, OR.

Leave ID at 7:00

Enter OR about 7:45

About 10:30 Tyler asks "Are we in Oregon yet?". Got to love Tyler

Drive through OR is nicer then I thought. Just slow going as speed limit is 65 on the major highway.

Also can't pump on gas, which is a little strange.

We stop at Multnomah Falls. Really nice stop. We see some Elders on P-day.

We arrive at Seaside about 4:30. We check in, go shopping, kids walk on beach for first time, walk up Broadway to check out shops, and Wendy and I take late night walk on beach.

Aug 1 - Off To Oregon

Today we started our long trip to Oregon. After church we drove to Boise and stayed the night in a hotel. As you can see, Micah did not stay awake the whole trip (I think she fell asleep about 1/2 hour into the trip).

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!