No news yet...

Just an update - not that we have much to go from yet!!

I got a call from Dinosaur Pediatrics this morning. The technician that did Emmy's CT scan a week ago said that he isn't sure if there is a reason to worry or not. He said that her sutures haven't closed all the way yet and so he is afraid that when they do close they will close the way her head is shaped. Our Dr. suggested that we have her film read at PCMC and see if they think it is necessary for more testing or even to have her head reshaped (not too sure on how they plan to do that). So now we are doing more of the waiting game. We have to see what PCMC says and go from there.

I was also informed this morning that Cora may need to go to PCMC to have her feet casted. She has really bad pigeoned toed feet. They say that children usually outgrow the problems but it is usually shortly after they start walking in shoes. Well hers hasn't changed so they would like to have her feet looked at to see if it is more than what they can see.

Still trying to get into the swing of things. Give me a little more time and I will post about the kids and school!!

Well Child Check Turns Into....

....MORE THAN WE ASKED FOR!! Last Friday we were finally seen for Emmys' four month well child check. Between ours and the doctors schedule we got behind a little. We walked in thinking all would be just fine as usual and walked out with an order to go have a CT screening done. The Dr. said that as she was feeling her head and even just looking at it she noticed that one side of her head is sticking out further than the other so it makes her head look lopsided. As the Dr. is pointing this out JayDee voices that he has noticed it as well. Funny since I am with her all day every day I have never noticed it so she must have had it all along and just got worse with time. I am curious to know how many others have noticed this!?


I took her to Ashley Regional Medical Center (Vernal Hospital) yesterday afternoon which was a big mistake. I found myself holding back tears so the Tech wouldn't see me cry. I wasn't nervous or even scared because I don't think there is anything to be worried about, but just the fact that I, being the mom, had to stand there and watch her be slid into this test was enough to send anyone to tears. She looked too small to be there. They could atleast come up with a smaller tube so that these poor moms don't get too upset!! Then everytime the tech would get the scan going the sounds would scare Emmalee so she wouldn't hold still. I eventually got her to go to sleep and then she held still perfectly. But next time (hopefully there isn't a next time) JayDee gets to go and I will stay home with the other kids. I would have thought that I had learned my lesson with Brooke but I just can't help it. I want to be there with my babies!

We should get the results from the test on Thursday or Friday of this week so we will keep you posted. But don't worry (I'm not yet!) I haven't found anything wrong with her growth or development so far so I don't think there is anything wrong other than maybe the way the bones have fused together. But it never hurts to have extra prayers so please remember her in yours!!

Like father....

Like son!!! I found this hilarious and had to share. This past week both Brooke and Jayden have been counting down the days until school starts (from today it is 3). Well last Thursday I woke up and came out to the front room and found Jayden already dressed (including shoes and socks) which is not usually the case before breakfast. I didn't think anything of it. Well I walked over to the computer and as I passed the front door I found he had hung his back pack up. I asked him to put it away and he told me he couldn't because he was afraid that he might forget it. I told him that he still had 6 more days until school started. He hung his head and went and took it off the door handle and then turned around and said, "But Mom, I have it packed and ready. What if Cora 'undoes' it?" I told him that Cora had her own back pack to play with and then asked him what was in his pack. He came and showed me. There was his snack and his show and tell. At DJ Elementary the kids all get to have snack time at their ten o'clock recess. They have found that it helps the kids to keep on task until lunch time. Of course it has to be a healthy snack though! And his show and tell happened to be his spy gadget (a happy meal toy from when Grandpa Guymon took him out to lunch last weekend)! He had the most important things to him packed. The kids here don't have to supply any of their own paper or pencils so he doesn't have to worry about them just the fun stuff (that he already had packed). Since his snack was a pack of animal crackers I told him to just keep them there and he would be set for Wednesday. He was happier then to go put his pack away for now!!

The reason I say like father like son is because his Dad was the same way for school (College at least!). A couple days before school would start he would pull out his backpack and fill it to the brim with all his books and his notebooks and even a small case with his pencils and pens. Most of the time he did it at night after the kids were in bed so they weren't doing their version of helping (unpacking) with him. So I have no idea where Jayden got it. It must be in the genes!!!

I love both of them so much and am so happy that they both have something to get so excited about. Me, I never could sleep the night before but that was all the excitement I had. Not a week before school started like these two. I think Brooke has my syndrome unfortunately. But good thing the first days are light and easy!! She can come home and sleep before the next day starts!!

I don't know what we are going to do for the next two days to keep little Jayden busy so he doesn't think too much about school!! Hopefully something will come to mind!

What's going on....

With this weather? For the last two days I have had to heat rice bags up too many times to count. We had stormy weather on Friday but only had to heat the rice bag twice before going to bed. Then yesterday (Saturday) we woke to more rain and even colder temps. I am not sure how cold it got during the night but at nine in the morning our thermometer said 51 degrees outside. I am not sure but I remember hearing from a seminary teacher that one of the signs of the times would be that the seasons would be all messed up. I sure think we are headed that way. We had HOT weather for only a month this year when I know for the last couple years atleast it has been hot from May all the way through September. Here we are the middle of August and I am cold. We have not had to open the windows at night in order to cool the house down. I even pulled our comforter out and put it back on the bed. The last two nights I have woken and found JayDee curled up in a ball completely under the sheet. He only does that when he is really cold. If you were to ask him though he would tell you that only his feet were cold. I think he is trying to be so tough!! I have had to check on Emmy and Anna a couple of times before going to bed myself to make sure that they are covered (they are the only ones who don't understand the concept of putting a blanket on when cold)! In fact both Emmy and Anna have colds right now. Not too common for us during the summer months. But hey, maybe this means that we won't be hit so hard this winter like we were last year!! That would be nice!!!

I am definately not complaining about the coolness it is just weird to me and funny how fast things can change. I love that here in Utah we usually get all four seasons so we get breaks from the cold cold and the hot hot! I am a little afraid that if we don't start warming up a little we may be in for a long winter out here! We need the water but if only we could get that in the form of warm rain instead of the cold snow!!!

She threw her first tantrum...

Okay for those of you who haven't heard this story I will share it with you. I think it was the funniest tantrum I have seen. We were in Vernal (an hour away from home) grocery shopping and soon after arriving Emmalee brought to my attention that I had forgotten her blanket. She loves her blanket and won't go to sleep without it. This was going to be a very long trip if I didn't figure out something. I had to go to the baby section for formula and diapers and found this blanket buddy. It is a rabbit head sewn to an eight inch square of fabric. I handed it to her to see if she would quiet down. Instantly she did so I thought we would carry it with us until we were done and then put it back but she then had to taste it so there went that idea. She was so

content that she fell asleep while shopping. I was happy because it meant one less kid asking for something...isn't that how it always goes...you go shopping and it is always "Mom, can we have this?" or "Mom, we need this soooo bad." And I am bad because I want them to stop I usually cave in on some of them and they unfortunately have learned that trick. Anyway back to the original story...We finally get to the check out stand and had to pry Emmalee's hands off her blanket buddy. As soon as I did she started screaming (literally). The cashier hurried and scanned it and back in her hands it went. Again as soon as she had it she was happy. She talked in her carseat most of the way home. I would like to know what it was she was saying to her bunny (probably all about how her Mom gave into her and plotting what she can do next!). We got home and still she wouldn't let go. She played on the floor with it, went to bed with it and now goes everywhere with it. I never thought it would be worth it to spend $8.00 on an eight inch square of blanket but I can honestly say it was the best $8.00 I have ever spent!!!

Happy Happy Birthday....

Brookie Baby!! I can't believe that another year has come and gone!! You are absolutely beautiful!! I love you so much! I thank my lucky stars that I have you for a daughter every day. You are such a great help to me and your siblings. I know that some days it may seem like your brother and sisters couldn't care but I know one day they will be so happy to have you as their sister! I love how much help you give me with Emmalee. Sometimes it is hard to do everything that a mom has to do so it is so nice to have my little "mom" to help me. Thank you for making the bottles and just being there to hold her and make her happy. I know that Anna is loving the time that she gets to "snugga" you. Every night she asks if she can go to bed with you so you will "snugga" her. Cora loves that you know how to read her books and Jayden loves being able to ride his bike with you. But he says you need to wear your helmet when you ride and I couldn't agree more. You now have a big bike and not quite sure how to ride it so get that helmet and pads that Grandma and Grandpa Welch gave you a couple years ago for your birthday. We want you to be safe.


Brooke and Jayden really are good friends. I think it helps that Brooke is somewhat of a "Tomboy" and likes to do the same things that he does. Here they are at the bottom of our hill after sledding down. Yes there isn't snow clothes 'cuz this was in September of last year. My kids love sledding no matter what time of the year.


Even with the whacked out hair-do Brooke promises to be drug free. This was one of the fun days they did during last years drug free week.


Brooke,
You are growing into such a beautiful young girl. As your parents we are so happy with you. You have a testimony of our prophet and of the Book of Mormon. It makes my heart so happy when I get to hear you bear your testimony. I hope that you will take every chance that you get to bear it to anyone who will listen.
I love to go through our scrapbooks and see how much you have grown. It doesn't seem like seven years ago that you were just a baby like Emmalee. You weren't able to do anything for yourself and here you are doing so much for your siblings. I thought it would be fun to post some of your pictures from the previous years...

Here you are two months old - on your blessing day. The funny story about that day is that Mom and Dad both had been asked to speak in church and so we decided that we would do your blessing on the same day (not too wise now that I look back on it!). Dad was quite nervous about either speaking or giving his first name and blessing. When it was time for him to go and give you a blessing he walked off without you so I had to take you to him. And then when the blessing was over your dress (that was my blessing dress) got stuck on his suit coat button and he nearly threw you to the front row. But even with all that it was a very special day for all of us. You were blessed that you would be happy and I can say that the promise has come to past already.
Here you are eighteen months old and just as happy as ever. This was at our Welch (big Welch family) Christmas party at the Rock church in Farmington. Dad wasn't there because he had to work that night but you didn't seem to mind - you had other cousins to play with.
Here is my big three year old and boy you look like you could be going to school!! This was after Aunt Crystals mission farewell talk in Church. She served her mission in Argentina. I always wanted to serve a mission but your dad caught me first. But now we will be able to serve together when you kids are all grown. I hope you will always know that you are able to do anything you want to do. No matter what anyone else thinks you just do it!!!
This picture was taken by Aunt Amy before she became so famous for her picture taking. This was at Grandma and Grandpa Welch's house on Christmas Eve of 2004. Grandma always make a wonderful meal on Christmas Eve so while we lived close we would go over there to partake. Maybe one day her talents will rub off on me and we can start some of those good traditions!
And here you are at five years old. This was the last day of Kindergarten for you and I had asked you what it was that you loved learning at school and you told me it was learning how to Curtsy so here you are showing me and the camera how you do it. I think you do it perfectly!!

I am so happy you are my daughter and I love you so much. I hope you continue to grow strong in the church and love to learn the teachings. There are so many things that you can learn if you just listen and do. Both Dad and I are so pleased with how much you are learning in school. You are so smart. It amazes me how much you know just after two years of school. You are so lucky to have the teachers that you do. They have told us how much you make them smile at school and how much they love that it is you who welcome the new students no matter who they are...boy, girl, older or younger. Your Dad and I have had many conversations about how we get scared how you are not afraid of anyone. We worry that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a good stranger and a bad one. But to hear this from your teachers makes me happy to know that you are a good friend.

I could go on and on about all the things that I love about you because there is so much but I think you get the drift and if ever you forget you just come and find me and I will remind you!!!

We love you so much!!!
Love,
Dad and Mom

Hello, this is JayDee trying to blog. First of all note the spotted glasses on my face. This picture was taken right after we went through 1 of 2 rapids on the "A Section" of the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam. Monica and I thought back to the days we ran the rapids on the Snake and Salmon Rivers and these are little rapids.

It was pretty gutsy on my part to take out the camera while going down the river, but I wanted to make sure that we got this trip on film. I wanted to make sure Monica and I would remember our 8th year Anniversary. It was a fun, relaxing, and at time adventurous trip in the inflatable canoe. I would like you to enjoy the scenery that we enjoyed all the way down the river.

We owe a big thanks to Phil Lopez for the shuttle and the Jones' for the canoeing equipment. They helped us out so much to pull off this adventure on such short notice. Oh and we can not forget Johnita and Ruby Morton for watching the kids too!

We hope that these pictures will entice you to ride the river with us free of charge later this Summer! :)

Read at your own risk....

The last week and a half has been a real roller coaster of emotions for me. Some of you may understand. I don't want to go into a lot of details because these blogs should be a fun way to update you on our ongoings. But what you do need to know to understand this blog is that I have had a strong feeling that I could lose someone close to me. I have been scared of this and not sure what to do. One day of feeling really stong feelings I came across this blog http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/2008/07/call-me-junior.html and it all came back to me - the plan of our Heavenly Father. Stephanie lost her 14 month old baby girl this past June in a drowing accident. As I related to JayDee I don't know if my testimony is as strong as hers. She took this tragedy and has turned it into a missionary experience. She says that she is grateful for all that read her blog and for the messages that get left so feel free to read her blog. I did and have found a sense of peace with my feelings. I know that none of my loved ones will be taken away unless they are needed on the other side. I know that it will still be hard to deal with but the knowledge that we all can see them again should be a comfort to us all. I am grateful for our Savior and the ULTIMATE Sacrifice he paid for all of us.

24th of July Celebration

Here comes the Flag!! Always at the beginning of the parades. Just where it should be. I love to see the flag and hope to be able to teach our children the importance of the flag. As the flag came up the street. I asked Anna (her, Emmy and I watched the parade while the rest were in it) to stand and put her hand over her heart. Even after the flag went by she kept her hand on her heart. I told her she could take it off and go get the candy that everyone was throwing (with not many viewers of the parade those who do usually end up with all the candy). She told me no because she could still see the flag. I found it amazing that my 2 year old knew the importance of saluting the flag until she couldn't see it any more. As soon as it went around the corner she went after all the candy!!
Anna got front row seats for the Parade and didn't have to fight for Candy!
Here comes my little buddy. The first day that he got to ride his new bike & he did a great job! Here is Brooke and her Best Friend Morlie Hayes. These two are inseperable at times!!
Cora still had to ride her little bike but she didn't let the size slow her down any. She was nearly in the front of the Parade and the kids were usually in the middle of the Parade. When the vehicles stopped she would go right on by. Good thing that the rule out here is that you watch for the kids not the kids watch for cars because then I would really have a reason to be scared.

The kids had so much fun and look forward to this event all year round. I know that it doesn't top Oakley parade and rodeo but it is so fun and personable here.

Oh Mighty Pioneers!!

Ira Oviatt and Ruth Fellows Bennett

Ira Oviatt (9), son of Reverend Benjamin F. Oviatt, Circuit Preacher of New York, was born December 8, 1804 at Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York. Ira had been raised in a strict Baptist home and it must have been a great sorrow to his parents when he wanted to become a blacksmith. For some time they refused to let him do it, as blacksmiths were considered undesirable men. Ira was taught the carpenters trade and worked with his father to let him learn the blacksmith trade, never realizing how important it would be in helping the Mormon pioneers. Finally his father gave his consent on condition he would train under one who did not indulge in the "hilarious" cup. At length one was found living in Smethport, Pennsylvania and his father consented to Ira learning the blacksmith and wheelwright trades.

While working there he met and married 29 September 1829 Ruth Fellows Bennett, at Burtonville, Montgomery County, New York, a school teacher who was also living and working away from home. She was the daughter of John "T." and Mary Slafter Bennett, and was born 28 September 1808, at Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York. Three children were born to them while they lived there: John Franklin, Henry Herman, and Sarah Jane. They heard the Gospel preached in the year 1839 by Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, and A. R. Kelsey, and joined the church at that time. They entertained the Elders in their home many times and were taught the Gospel truths. They desired to go to Missouri to be with the saints, but on the way heard of the expulsion of the Mormons from the state and therefore stopped in Kirtland, Ohio for about four years. They bought two city lots, one near the river and the other near the Temple, and here they made their home. Sometime in 1842 they moved to Nauvoo, living across the street from the home of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Ruth Bennett Oviatt told her grandchildren many times of sitting on her doorstep or in her rocking chair and listening to the Prophet preach to the people in his front yard. When the wooded country was cleared to build houses, a large stump was left in the Prophets front yard and when people came to him to talk with him or for advice he would mount this stump as a group would always gather when he began to talk and sometimes he would speak for hours at a time. His voice was clear and distinct and he could be heard across the street with ease. No matter what their task, they would be ready to stop and listen and would feel his influence as soon as they heard his voice. When Joseph and Hyrum were tarred and feathered by the mob they came to the Oviatt home and obtained clothing to put on before going home. The staunch testimony Ruth and Ira had of the Prophet Joseph Smith from living near him greatly influenced their grandchildren to remain steadfast in their testimony of the Gospel. Ira was baptized while at Nauvoo by Silas S. Davies in 1840. While at Nauvoo he was also ordained to the office of an Elder, April 1844 by Elder Williams, President of the Elders Quorum. When the saints started from there for the West in 1846, Ira and his family went with them as far as Winter Quarters in Council Bluffs. He was so proficient at his three trades and such an expert wheelwright that her was called by Brigham Young to remain at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to outfit the wagons of the pioneers for crossing the plains. Otherwise he and his family would have been in the first company to enter Salt Lake Valley in 1847. (for those of you who don't know-this couple is on Nana Welch - Johnson line)

I don't know about you but I have found this to be a very fun history to read. Growing up in the Church I have had a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith but my testimony was not made real until I started to get to know my ancestors and the struggles and blessings they had living in the time of Restoration of the Church. I have had a love for finding these rare treasures. I love reading the histories and seeing the pictures of our ancestors. I am grateful that I didn't have to walk the many miles that they did just to have the freedom of religion. I know that they were blessed with the ability to be a strong and immovable people for our benefit. It makes me wonder what kind of things we get to see come forth in the next several years. Do you think they sit in heaven and thank their lucky stars they didn't have to live through what we do or do you think they wonder why they weren't chosen for these last days?

My BIG Boy finally graduated to......

a BIG BOY bike!!! JayDee and I decided that Jayden has outgrown his little "big wheel." So we got Jayden his first big boy bike. He LOVES it. If he isn't ridding it then he is asking if he can.
Now he and Brooke will get to ride their bikes to and from school every day. I love that because then I don't feel guilty when I don't go get them (we live SOOOOO far from the school!).
Going down the driveway is still too fast for Jayden so he goes down the grass and then turns and rides up the driveway to do go down the grass again.

Sunscreen Mishap!!

I was out mowing the lawn and saw the kids out playing in their swimsuits. The only problem was that we hadn't put sunscreen on yet. I asked Brooke to go get it out of my room and bring it to me. Well she decided to try and help. But she didn't realize that a little goes a LONG way. So here are the pictures of what they looked like.

Joys of being a Kid!!

If you can't tell there is a sprinkler under the trampoline. I know how dangerous that can be, but I also know how fun it is. I remember going over to Amber Waters house all the time and jumping on her trampoline and having the sprinkler on. It is something that the kids should experience.
No matter what the game or play is Cora is always the "puppy." About a month ago we almost got a new puppy but Dad said no! Maybe if we can find one that is already house and potty trained he will say yes!
After Brooke pulled the stunt with the sprinkler Anna is very leary about the water. Plus I did forget to tell you that the water out here seems to be a lot colder than I remember it ever being. Even to sit and spray the kids would freeze my little finger. So I do understand Anna. I don't want to get wet either!!

Fun in the Sun!!

Running through the sprinklers sure help on these warm days!! The kids have had a blast playing. They ask nearly every day if they can go through the sprinklers. It is an easy set up plus it helps get those nasty brown spots we have!!

Step 1. Cover the sprinkler with the Frisbee and get sisters to come close.
Step 2. Let the Frisbee go and fun away from the sprinkler before you get too wet.
Looks like Anna forgot about step 2. Let's just say she wasn't too happy with her big sister. I of course just sat back and laughed. I remember doing the same thing and having the same thing happen to me growing up!! I guess that is the role of the big siblings!!

"Swamp Monster!!"
Anna didn't want anything to do with the water after Brooke's stunt so she sat right by me (I guess she knows that they won't get me wet!) and played with her dolly.
Cora being sad. Lately she has been feeling picked on and pouting a lot.
"Little Mischievous" Doesn't he look like he is getting into trouble?!

One last Post!!

I promise this will be the last post on the Fourth of July (for this year anyway!). The kids all had fun playing with Sparklers that Amber brought over to share with us. She couldn't get them lit fast enough for the kids. Plus they were gone before the kids were ready!!


Not sure why she is covering her ears. As you all know sparklers don't make noises.