Garrett's new room

Well we finally are almost done with Garrett's room. Mom and davy came up and painted the whole room! After that it was basically putting up a fan, blinds, and moving stuff back in (thanks tan!). There's still a few things to do like putting in the closet organizer, and putting up the wall decorations, but mostly it's done. Here's a few shots of his room and refresher shots of emma's room. (also most decorated by granny and big daddy)

Welch Family Christmas 2008

This was the first year we have had Christmas at our house. We usually have it with family either in Texarkana or in Natick. The kids loved decorating the tree, putting cookies out for Santa, and coming down the stairs to all the presents.

Tanya's graduation

Here's a couple of shots from Tanya's Graduation from Harding. Way to go Tan!

Pope Christmas and Caroling

Here's a few shots from our Pope family Christmas in Hot Springs. As well as a couple from caroling with the "Big Kids".

Christmas happenings

Here's a few shots of Emma's school program and her party. At the end are a couple of the kids decorating the Christmas tree.

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday was also breakfast with Santa. There was a christmas movie playing, foam ornament decorating, and cookie decorating. As well as the famous photos with Santa. Garrett loved seeing Santa. He kept asking questions like "where his reindeer?" "Where his sled?" . . Emma on the other hand figured out right away who our special guest was. So I had to pull her aside and explain he was given the suit by the 'real' santa so the real santa could keep working on making toys, he had special helpers to do all the picture taking and ask what the boys and girls want. Then the threat IF she told anyone the real santa would know and he'd take the special suit away and she wouldn't get presents from him. She almost slipped up twice to garrett but i caught her. I think the secret is safe for now. And thankfully she still believes in a real santa. I love the innocence.

Emma's 5 yr birthday

Emma's 5th birthday started with several presents sent the day before and day of. Then she had pink donuts for breakfast while opening present form mommy and daddy. She was surprised with circus tickets! She was pretty excited! Next she went to school and got to wear the birthday hat and bring cupcakes for snack. It ended with the trip to the circus.

THE PARTY

Two days later she had her "popular" (Wizard of OZ/Wicked) party with her good friend Casen. It was a joint party since they had several mutual friends and their birthdays are only 4 days apart. Mrs. Julie did a lot of work getting everything ready and setting up even though she had the stomach bug. She is awesome! The party was fun. Both kids had several friends come. All the kids had fun running around in the gym. We started something this year with emma which i hope to continue. Instead of her friends brining presents for her, they brought an unwrapped toy to help support a ministry by a local church who lets underprivileged parents buy christmas presents for .25 on the dollar. That way they don't feel like they are being given charity presents. They can choose toys their kids would like and they feel pride being able to buy the toys for their family. It took several times of explaining what was going on for emma and casen to understand and accept it but i think the more we do it eventually they will understand how they are helping other children.

Thanksgiving 2008

First of all, sorry for the lack of posts for  a month! It has been crazy here trying to get everything done for A Youth Specialities trip, thanksgiving, Breakfast with Santa, and Emma's birthday. 

Thanksgiving 2008

We went to Texarkana wed night - sunday. The kids loved getting to go to me-me and po-pos and getting to spend time with tanya. They loved seeing Granny and Big Daddy too but had just spent 4 day with them alone at our house. ;) 

My kids especially loved getting to play with C and H their cousins!