Times a Flying.....

8 years ago when Christopher left on his mission, he gave his brothers a tie tack with the sign language I love you and a future missionary badge. From the time Jordan was ordained a deacon until Christopher came home Jordan wore his old jacket (which was my grandfathers) and that tie tack and future missionary pin. I found this picture the other day and I could hardly believe how time has flown by. It makes me really think....Am I accomplishing all that I am suppose to be accomplishing? It really seems like yesterday and that this little boy is still my Jordan. But nope....

Here he is now (well a year ago)!!!

 Today we celebrate 1 year for our missionary. We are so proud of him and the things he is learning on this adventure in the Dominican Republic.

 This is Jordan's Best friend from birth. They are 3 weeks apart and they have always been buds. David is serving in Brazil and I know that it will be a great day when they can be together again and share these experiences. David left just a few weeks after Jordan did. We are so proud of both of them.

 Jordan was the last missionary to be set apart by President Gulbransen before he left to be the mission president in Argentina. It was a really wonderful evening in our home.

 Doesn't he look ready!!! I love this picture and those crazy glasses.

 Here he goes. It seems like yesterday.

We stopped at the Hunts, his other family to give them hugs on the way to the airport.

And Grandma and Grandpa Welkers too

Connor, David, and Tyler all came to the airport to bid him farewell. Such good boys. We miss having all these boys in our home.

Saying good-bye is never easy, and Jordan says of all the things he will miss it is these babies growing up and changing. Lexee was 6 months exactly the day he left and now she can go to the nursery this Sunday. But the babies all know him and can point to him in every single picture. Cody and Stephanie sure do miss their brother.

I was really trying to smile, but I was also trying not to cry, so I guess this is the best look you get from me. I really don't have a hard time letting my children go, but a two year go is not as easy on me, but it was a wonderful day, and I actually did pretty good.

He was so ready to get started and he has done so well.

This was at his farewell, Christopher and Rachel lived in Flagstaff then and could not make it down for the actual day he left. Baby Anna is now 2 1/2 and there is a precious 6 month old baby boy Calin that Jordan has never met. He will be in the nursery when Jordan comes home :)

Here he is headed for the gate, last smile till 2012. Isn't he the best.

 Jacque and Curtis (not pictured) live in Logan going to Utah State and so she picked their really good friend Jesse Porter at BYU and they picked Jordan up at the Airport, took him to lunch and then dropped him off at the wonderful Provo MTC. Jacque and Jordan are really really close, and I know that it meant a lot to Jordan to have her be there for him. Thanks Jacque for always being such a good sister.

 Here they are dropping him off. I love this picture of the two of them. They adore each other so much.

Here he is in the MTC with his first Companion Elder Winters.

I cannot believe that it has been a year today. It has been such a great ride. He is doing really well, having some hard lessons to learn, but is staying positive and loving serving the Lord. He is learning so much, mostly how much our Heavenly Father loves each of His children. He knows who we all are and he is aware of our needs and who is ready to hear the gospel. We miss him every day, but we would not have him anywhere else but there for now. Happy Hump Day sweet boy. Here's to another even more amazing year.

We all love you so much.

What a great, crazy, wonderful, amazing, happy happy happy day!!!

Yesterday I spent a wonder 15 hours plus with these amazing women, L-R Kathy Knight, Linda Bang, Dianne Burden, Me, Janet Williams, and Betty Brown. We hopped on  plane to Ontario, CA at 7:30 a.m. and went to a wonderful quilt show there. I have never been to a quilt show before and I have to say it was quite the experience. One you have to save up for, that's for sure, but so worth every single second. The day began with introductions because a couple of these women I only knew their names. When our ward boundaries changed I got the pleasure of meeting these amazing women. It has been nothing but a treat to share time with them and get to know how great they are. Anyway after we landed we decided we were way early so we thought we would walk to the convention center. It was only a mile and half away so we did. It was quite the adventure. We trucked through freeway traffic, mud, bushes, railroad tracks, stickers like you can't even believe and crazy California drivers that don't care where you are walking at. It was so fun. We chatted and really got to know each other. I felt so lucky, tired cuz I am fat!!! but so lucky to spend time with them. It was a beautiful day and that made the walk even better. Once we got there and got in I was in total awe at the talent of people. The quilts were beyond believable. The handwork and thought process and technique were like nothing I had ever seen. I love to quilt, but I am simply a patchwork girl. The easier and faster it can go together the happier I am. These quilts must have taken, well I can't even estimate. We were not allowed to take pictures, so my wonderful old memory is going to have to do it for the pictures. Then there were booths. Never ending booths, of fabric, machines, gidget gadgets of all kinds, amazing patterns, thread in every color and then some. It was simply mind boggling. I had landed in heaven!!! We split up and went wherever we wanted to go and met up for lunch and shared our goodies that we had found so far, then we went back in for more. This show lasts for 3 days and I am telling you there would still be things I had not seen at the end of 3 days. I am actually glad (as I am sure that Herbs wallet is as well) that I only went for a day. Not only would we be broke beyond broke, but you might never have seen me again. I might have died in there of happiness and we simply cannot have that now can we!!!

 Below are the fabrics that I limited myself to......hahahahah!!! I know, but wow I could have had a piece of every single thing in there. Everything was so yummy.

We called a Taxi at the end of the day and headed back to the airport. This time with backpacks full of beauty and wonderment waiting to be created. We laughed and shared and enjoyed the journey more then I could have imagined. So thanks for inviting me girls, and thank you Herb for letting me go and have the time of my life. It was a journey I won't soon forget......and that's a good thing.
Amazing creations coming soon!!!!

A few of my favorite things......

We had a wonderful holiday. Cody and Stephanie had us come and eat at their home this year. They worked really hard getting their home and yard ready for the party. Stephanie picked up Nana and Papa and brought them, and My parents both came. My sister and her family and Herb's sister and Kyle, then all of the kids were there. Christopher and Rachel, Anna and Calin came from Flagstaff, and Jacque and Curt came from Logan. Both of them left in just the right amount of time to miss the big blizzard that hit on Tuesday, unfortunately they were not as lucky on the way home and it took Jacque and Curt from 9:30 a.m. to

1:15 a.m. to get home. The snow was no fun at all and patience was so important. Thankfully Christopher and Rachel left the night before so they missed the big snow during the drive. And we are so grateful that everyone got home safe and sound, blessings for sure.

On Saturday we took pictures and  I was so happy how they all turned out. Rachel is really good at editing so she did the little girls into glam shots and they look so pretty.

On Thanksgiving night we played Minute to Win It. I am telling you it was a blast. Easy to prepare, but so much fun. We played for almost 3 1/2 hours. More pictures to come of that.

For now I just wanted everyone to see a few of my favorite things.

As soon as Jordan's SD card gets here in the mail, I will post my favorite pictures of him.

He is doing really well. He has a wonderful companion, and if feeling a little more successful in this difficult area. We are really happy when Monday's roll around and we get to hear from him. Only a few more weeks and we get to hear his voice. I love that!!!!

Thanks kids for coming down to be with us, We loved having you, be safe everyone.

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Happy Birthday Wonderful Man

 Today is Herb's birthday, he is beyond amazing and there are really no words to describe just how lucky I am to have him. I hope he had a great day today. He has been so busy with the painting and caulking, and taping, and all the re-do on this house that he never really stops to do anything for himself.

 Christopher and Rachel came down from Flagstaff this weekend for his birthday and he was so happy that they did. He sure loves seeing them, but best of all he loves all of his grandbabies so much, so he was really glad to get lots of loves from all of them.

 Crazy Nammie and Batman........cool kid that batman boy.

 We had our ward party on Saturday night, It was so much fun to see all of the kids dressed up.

I really do love halloween.

 Lexee could not come to the ward party, but a darling little tink came over today to wish her Pop-sicle a happy happy birthday.

 Anna and Lexee are becoming fast happy cousins. They sure enjoyed each other this weekend.

 This is my angel baby Lexee, whenever she comes over she and I go out into the front yard and lay down and count all of the planes that fly by. She can spot a plane so far away. She is such a delight to hang out with. I love that she loves laying on the lawn with me.

 These girls crack me up. I was in the kitchen fixing dinner and all I kept hearing was screaming. I of course was really worried that someone was hurt. Oh no, they were just playing in the old dollhouse outside

peek-a-boo through the windows. Too fun.

 Then wonderful Auntie Cina came with Uncle Kyle and then the fun really began.

 Don't you just love little ones at the piano. I hope they really get to play one day.

 The duet!!! :)

 Great picture Rachel, thanks I love their little hands.

 Calin was such a happy baby all weekend, but something spooked him, and Cina got the mess........

 Uncle Kyle was teaching Anna chopstix, she just loves that Uncle Kyle.

 Since we are painting the big mirror in on the floor and these girls had a blast admiring their darling little selfs. So adorable. I wish we could bottle up little ones and keep them sweet and innocent forever.

Too bad I guess for me......

Thanks Auntie Cina and Uncle Kyle for stopping by to see us.

Happy Birthday Honey

Your family loves you to pieces.

Happy Birthday Mom and fun with Lexee

Happy Birthday Yesterday to my mom. I wanted to post it earlier, but the surprise would have been ruined. I made her this quilt. My mom always is making things for other people. She is my inspiration in sewing and especially sewing for others. It does really make you feel great. Who doesn't love that. I love homemade gifts, just ask my friends and kids. It seems that is all they ever get, but it really does come from the heart. I have never been able to surprise my mom, but this time I did it. A secret kept for a whole month.

 I think she really liked it!!! Or at least I hope that she did. I also made the back out of Christmas colors so that it could serve two purposes. It was a lot of work, but so much fun, and the lessons I learned were this. Even though I don't like to follow patterns or instructions (I am so bad that way in everything not just sewing) I found out that this quilt cannot just be figured out on my own. Now probably by somebody really smart, but not me and so the lesson was learned and the quilt turned out beautifully.

I then sent it back up to Logan where I had it quilted and then Jacque mailed it back to me to bind. It was perfect timing and the suprise was well received. My mother and my Grandmother (her mom) are the reason I love sewing so much. They have been teaching and inspiring me with this talent ever since I can remember, so thank you mom for that and for sharing your mom with me as well. I cherish the memories of sewing with you throughout my life and I give all of the credit for my talent to you. You are an amazing woman in so many ways. Thanks for your example and for you life and for loving me.

 I

 Cody and Stephanie had their 5th anniversary this week and so we got the privilage to have their little Lexee stay at our house for a night. She was a delight. She was really happy even though she did not feel very good, she climbed everything that she could, and with our house in an uproar while we paint everything, there is a ton to climb on. So needless to say she had a blast.

 So did we. She is at that stage of curiosity galore and I love to watch how their minds just seem to figure things out. So much fun.

 On my computer in the sewing room is a big picture of Jordan, and she loves to look at pictures of Jordan. She was only 6 months old when he left  but somehow they are connected and she really does know who he is. So I watched as she tackled this chair and then sat down to watch her Jordan boy on the screen. So cute.

I love her faces. I think all of our grandkids make the darndest faces and I love when I actually catch them on film. It was a delight to have her, and I hope we get to have her back soon. We are so excited for this next weekend when all of the grandbabies will be here. We like their parents too, but thoses babies.......

Well need I say more.

Thanks for the fun.

What a day and night.....

If you know my Herb, then you know he cannot, will not, refuses to sit still. So tonight all of a sudden he decided to tape off the floor and start scraping the ceilings of that gross popcorn yuk. He got the old dining room finished and then we had to go and take care of his parents.

So tomorrow we will have to move all of the furniture and clear off the top of the big shelf that is in between the rooms. We are planning on painting the kitchen, family room and hallway and before we do that, we wanted to get this done.

All day long it rained and rained and I loved every minute of it. I have been sewing all day long, watching movies while I sew and listening to that wonderful pounding sound of rain.

I usually don't like the rain, but today it was perfect.

Tonight though, as you all probably know it got crazy.

Hail, Hail, Hail

This is it. Our front yard was covered. It was crazy.

It beat down the flowers and I am sure left little dings in the cars.
Arizona weather, you never know what's coming.
The hail was the size of a quarter, at least that is how big it was by the time we got it into the house to measure. It has been a wonderful week so far, I hope yours has been good too.
Enjoy the rest of it.