Five Minutes.

We see some of the most interesting people out here.  The other day, we were driving down a 45 mph road, when this 20 year old guy with dreds that were about 3 ft long, pulls out into the intersection going 2 mph on a little riding lawn mower.  I almost had to pull over I was laughing so hard. 

And the best part is, that's pretty normal here.

I love teaching in this area, because usually when we go to a house to teach the Mom, her husband comes home, and then a brother walks out of the back, and then the brother's girlfriend shows up, and by the time we're done with the lesson, there's a whole giant family that's home and just waitin' for the gospel!  It's great.  And humbling.  I sometimes have no idea how so many people fit into one house.  For example, there's a family of recent converts who lives in a little 500 square foot home, and this is who is living there: The Mom and her two teenage boys.  The Mom's sister who is expecting a little baby.  The Mom's other sister and her daughter, and her daughter's fiance and their three little boys.  All in that little house.  And they're happy people.  That's the best part.  They know what's important and they've found that and are hanging onto it and each other.  It's amazing to see.

The Visitors' Center has also been great.  So many miracles.  Sometimes I can't believe the caliber of sisters that I serve with.  We have a new exhibit up that answers frequently asked questions and has pictures of a sacrament meeting, and baptism, and things that people are curious about.  It is going to be so wonderful to have.  Already people have come away wanting to learn more because their questions were answered.  I'll have to take pictures to send to you (because I'm really good at sending pictures home, haha.)

Well, I'm about out of time, so I'm sorry this was short but our week has been a missionary week: full of finding and member work and the VC.  Life is grand.

I love you all.  Stay true to what's eternal.

Love, Sister Welch

Guest Blogger: Ben-a-min!

So, I couldn't think of anything that I particularly wanted to blog about today, so I asked little brother if he would be so kind.  And he said yes.  So here's Ben.

Hi, I'm ben and I'm definitely the most important thing that has ever happened to her. the next important thing will be her husband but since she decided not to get married and go on a mission she's stuck with me. Who she loves... I'm pretty sure. So yeah.

Well my absolute most favoritist moment with Katherine was probably 10 years ago. I was about 7 and I am an avid dreamer. In my sleep. And I slept talked, and walked and sang and would actually reply to people who talked to me in my sleep. If I know you you can try it some day. If I don't know you back up creeper and stay away, NO you can't watch me sleep.

So back to the story: I was dreaming this one time that i walked across the hall and climbed into my sister's bed. She got angry at me and sent me back to my room in her morning voice which sounds about fourteen percent better than the Grudge. So i did.

After waking up the next morning, I learned a very important fact. I  had not dreamed this episode, but in fact had really experienced it. She said if I ever shared this story she'd kill me so now I'm deaddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.

Love ya sis.

Love ya too little bro.  :]

Home is Where...

the heart is...and a lot of other stuff.

Like two brothers that I adore.

Here are just a couple of reasons:

1. Ben is always willing to go on a late night, fast food run.

2. Spencer will do projects with me.

3. Ben will sing operatically, or normally, or very loudly, or screech-ily(?) to me whenever I play the piano.  (So really, I guess Ben just sings normally whenever I play the piano.)

4. Spencer is taller than me, finally, which makes me the proud shortest in the family.

5. Today Ben used the door leading out to the garage as a canvas on which to trace the outline of his body.  (Ben is 17, by the way.)

6. Spencer's voice is breaking and it provides me with constant entertainment.  (And don't worry, he likes to be laughed at, so he makes it crack for me.)

7. Ben is always up for a hug.

8. And Spencer is also always up for a hug.

I don't think I could have asked for better brothers.  I love them!

Flying with the Eagles

This weekend Spencer got his eagle!  

And he barely turned 14.  So impressive.  

The weekend overall was great.  It was so good to go home and spend time with my family.  I traveled down with my Grandma, Nana, and Uncle Vedel.  There were probably enough snacks and treats in that mini van to last until the millenium.  Lucky me.  :]

When we made it home, I got to go out with Ben to my alma mater (old high school) and watch Hairspray, which was fabulous.  Plus Ben is so funny and we just laughed at each other and this ridiculous musical the whole night.  

The next morning I played Spencer in a few rousing games of racquetball.  We warmed up for a bit, (meaning Spencer gave me a good work out by making me do everything he's learning in his racquetball lessons), and then we decided to play a game.  He beat me.  Big time.  I only had one point and he had 12. The next game I gave him a good run for his money and we tied.  Then we decided to just leave it at that and went home.

The Eagle Court of Honor did a good job of honoring Spencer, as it should.  And I even got to sit by him through the ceremony.  Lucky me, again.  I'm so proud of him for earning his eagle before he even turned 14, and for just earning it in general! He's such a determined, brilliant, kind, and wonderful boy.  I'm so blessed to be his sister.

Who Said 13's Unlucky?

Today showed me otherwise.

First, I slept in.  And it was in my big bed in my cave of a room in my parents' house.

Second, I discovered that my aunt left her awesome smelling shampoo at my house, which was great because I forgot to bring mine.

Third, Kohl's sale rack had clothes that were 70% percent off.

Fourth, someone in the mall stopped me for a survey, and I thought, "Why not? I'll be nice."  10-15 minutes later, she was finally finished (thank goodness) and gave me two dollars for my excellent opinions, or at least I like to think that's why.

 Fifth, I bought Spencer a nerf gun for his birthday (which was actually a week ago) and he was soooo excited.  At first, I gave him these plaid pants my Grandma had me bring back for him, and when he opened the package he said "Thank you...?" but then I laughed and gave him his real present.  He had a much better reaction for the nerf gun, although I think he still appreciates the pants.  Oh, and another reason I'm lucky: I live in Provo and will not get to experience the full effects of a thirteen year old with a nerf gun.  :]

Lastly, it is simply so wonderful to be home.  I just feel lucky.

Disgusting, Yet So Good

Currently, meaning right now, this very moment...

I'm HOME!!!!!

Ali, my good friend, was kind enough to be going to St. George and so I drove down with her.  She dropped me off in St. George and I hitch-hiked the rest of the way home...just kidding.  (My mom came and got me.  I don't think I'm quite brave enough to hitch-hike to Vegas.) 

Anyway, before we left, Ali and I stopped off at Burger King.  I got a number 6: Chicken Burger Thing (I don't know the official title), a Sprite, and French Fries.  Now usually I don't eat the fries, they're actually the only version of a potatoe I won't eat, but today I ate them all. And they were disgusting, yet so good.  I don't know why that is.  I must be a hungry college student or something... 

And here's one reason why I love being home: my mom just said to Ben (16 year old brother), "Are we eating with our fingers tonight Ben?" since he forgot to set silverware on the table, and he said, "Don't we always?"  Her response: "Well, that's true for you."  Ba ha ha! I love my fam-bil-y.

Home is Where I Am! (Was)

This past weekend I drove down to Henderson with Nana, Uncle Vedel, and Aunt Donna, jumped over my block wall, and crept in through the back door to surprise my family! Ben and Spencer were the only people home, and their reactions were pretty good. Ben looked confused at first, but just shook his head and said, "You're tricky." Spencer, who I was standing right behind, had to be told to turn around and he took a minute to register the fact that I was actually there, before he gave me a HUGE hug. Ah, what fun. My parents and I were at the temple, so Ben and I took Toasty for a walk around the desert, mesa area up the street. There's probably about a square mile of desert and Ben showed me a little oasis with a stream and some small waterfalls that were so pretty. I'd lived there for three years and didn't even know it. On our way back home it was getting dark, but we saw Toasty bite at something as it hopped away. A frog! Or a toad, I'm not sure which. But the nature lover/tomboy in me came out an I decided to catch him. He's about as big as a half dollar, and we put him in a giant pickle jar, but the poor,little guy didn't like the jar very much, so we let him go. I don't think my roommates would have appreciated a pet toad anyway.

When Ben and I came home with the frog, my parents were home and they acted very surprised to see me. Come to find out, they had actually seen Tegan's parents in the temple, who gave away my secret. What were the chances? But oh well, I'll get them another time.
That night, we all went to the strip to see the Bellagio Fountains. It was interesting to compare the BYU environment I was in Friday morning to the Strip environment I was in Friday night. Totally different feelings. But the fountains were beautiful and fun as always. I'll try and download a movie sometime when I can get it from Ben's camera.

Friday night I got to sleep on the top bunk of our bunkbed and Staurday was a homework day. That night we went to Marie Calendar's for dinner. The Razzleberry pie I had was delicious. Mmm. At church on Sunday, I had quite a few people ask what I was doing home, and I told some that I had quit school, but they didn't believe me. I guess that's a good thing. Monday morning I went for a quick swim with the boys and then drove home (to my Provo home). It feels like the long weekend went by so fast, but I'm glad I got to spend it at home (in my Henderson home).

Give Me a Break

Give me a break.

Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat Bar!

Chocolatey-chewy gotta make your day,

Everywhere you go you here the people say!

Give me a break HEY!

Give me a break HEY!

Break me off a piece of that,

Gotta have a piece of that,

Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat Bar!

Whatever happened to these awesome commercials?

Lagoon!

Yesterday, the family went to Lagoon with Grandma Gail and met up with my mom's sister, Doni, and her kids. What a fun day! I'd been to Lagoon once before, but the only memory I have is of the old white roller coaster. It was the first roller coaster I'd ever been on and I remember being so scared I couldn't get enough air to scream on the way down. Yesterday was a little different.
This picture was taken on a ride where you sit on swings, and go around and around in a circle. Lagoon should be famous for rides that go in a circle; there were plenty.
Later in the day, my mom's sister and her kids met us and we went on more of the "big-kid" rides. One of the best rides was Wicked, which shoots you straight, and I mean straight, up and then goes over a tiny arch before you come straight down and into the rest of the roller coaster. I thought going down would be the worst, but being shot up, not knowing if you'd fall backwards or go right off the coaster was definitely more frightening. My other favorite was called the Samuri and I don't exactly know how to describe it. It basically takes you around in circles, three different ways. It's kind of like the moon, which is spinning, orbiting the earth, which is orbiting the sun. (Sorry, that's the best example I have.) Anyway, I was having walking problems when I got off, but it was one of the best rides of the park.

Like all the adds say, Lagoon-The Fun Starts Here!

Home from Camp

Today Dad and Spencer got back from scout camp. Here are some of the conversations we had.

After chatting for a while Dad proudly announces: I won a golf trophy.
Mom: Oh really, how did you do that?
Dad: They held a Potosi Invitational Golf Tournament and I won third place.
Mom: That's good. I know you love to win golf trophies. So, how long is it going to be on our dresser?
Dad: Never.
Me: It's on the mantel in the living room.

Later... (before I quote this, I should say that Spencer feels no need to do anything unless he's directly told to. We're working on that, but he's just the little "absent minded professor" in our family.) So, later...

Mom: Spencer, how often do you think you should take a shower at scout camp?
Me: HA HA HA!!
Mom: ...
Me: Sorry Mom. I couldn't help it.

And throughout the day, Spencer had to give everyone an individual performance of a song he learned. Here are the lyrics (to the tune of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious):

When I was a little scout
I never liked to eat.
They would put things on my plate
And I'd dump 'em on their feet.
But then one day they made this soup
I ate it all instead
I asked them what they put in it
And this is what they said:

"Oh, chicken lips and lizard hips
And alligator eyes
Monkey legs and buzzard eggs
And salamander thighs
Rabbit ears and camel rears
And tasty toenail pies
Stir 'em all together
And it's Camp Chef's soup surprise"

I went into the bathroom
And I stood beside the sink
I said, "I'm feeling slightly ill
And I think I'd like a drink"
Camp Chef said, "I've just the thing
I'll get it in a wink
It's full of lots of protein
And vitamins, I think"

"Oh, chicken lips and lizard hips
And alligator eyes
Monkey legs and buzzard eggs
And salamander thighs
Rabbit ears and camel rears
And tasty toenail pies
Stir 'em all together
And it's Camp Chef's soup surprise"!

Isn't that a lovely song? I've never been to scout camp, but it sure sounds like a lot of fun!

Happy Father's Day!

Well first, to every father that reads this, Happy Father's Day! You guys are great. I was asked to give a talk in church today on fathers and in preparing I was reminded that you all have a pretty tough job, but the Dads in our family are so amazing! So thanks for all you do! And to my Dad, thanks for everything. You heard my talk, so I won't say it all again, but to sum it up, I couldn't have asked for a better Dad. You're the best. I hope you enjoy your new (sorta) chair and apron (Spencer was pretty proud of that we made it ourselves) and that you think of us when you use them. Happy Father's Day!

Blanket Tent

Before I came home this summer, I made a list of things I wanted to do with Ben and Spencer. There were two things on that list that we decided to do last Saturday: make a blanket tent, and play all the games in the game cabinet. No easy task, as you can see. We wanted to do this in one day, but after making the blanket tent, then playing games for six hours and only making it through 18 of them, we decided to extend the fun to another day. The tent actually lasted until today. It was quite the masterpiece. It almost made me feel like I could major in architecture or do what Christo and Jeanne-Claude do. Hmm, I'll have to think about that. Anyway, we used more than twenty blankets and the tent covered the living room, dining room, and part of the stairs. Even Toasty helped (sorta). We would have made it bigger, but we ran out of blankets (without taking the ones from our beds). Once you were inside, your were totally enclosed...and hot. So we moved two fans into our little abode and then started to play the games. It made for such a fun day and I learned that I'll always love to make blanket tents, no matter how old I am.

Triple-Digit Temperatures

Lately, the weather here in Henderson has been getting pretty hot. We've already had a couple days over 100°F. Crazy. But perfect for swimming! Spencer and I went out to the pool again today and had a great time. He loves to perform for the camera. These poses he calls the Paraglider, the Monkey, Flying, and Meditation (or levitation). We also thought the water looked pretty cool with the splash balls.

These are just for fun:

I thought this one was so cute of Spencer:
And what would a day in the pool be without a delicious homemade smoothie to finish it off?

Easter at Nana's

It is so nice to have family close by so that I can spend holidays with them. Yesterday, for Easter, my Aunt Donna picked Tegan, Kelli, and me up to go to Nana's for the day. Uncle Vedel, Aunt Jan, and Anna came over for a delicious dinner, then we just spent a couple hours at the house. For dinner we had funeral potatoes, ham, corn, salad, rolls, and pumpkin pie filling. We were so full by the time we were done eating that we hardly fit in our clothes, so Donna brought out three skirts with elastic waists. They look good, huh? After dinner we went outside because the weather is beautiful, and so I could show off the swingset and pole on the front porch. I showed Tegan and Kelli how to swing around it, which is always an adventure in a skirt. Here are the videos of each of us.



How fun! Thanks Nana and Donna for a wonderful Easter.