August 2020

August started with a trip to Denver. After Owen got tested for COVID because he had a sore throat...but it was just allergies. Syd drove there with us and then flew home from there. We had a 12 week old puppy and a toddler in our van...so a good time was pretty much guaranteed. The highlight of the drive there was our stop in Rawlings, Wyoming. We managed to find the most run down, sad park to stop for a potty and play break followed by the most disgusting bathroom on this side of the Mississippi. Evan sits on the toilet backwards, and when he was trying to disrobe and hold on to the disgusting toilet drama ensued. There were tears from both Evan and Syd, and I literally made everyone wipe the bottom of their shoes with Clorox wipes before getting in the car. Flash forward 4 months and John got me a Rawlings, WY t-shirt for Christmas to commemorate the occasion. 

                        

Once we finally got to Denver we managed to have a good time. Kort was gracious and crammed us all into her house. We completely overtook it! Between my parents, Syd and her kids and my family we added 11 people to her house. I placed my bet that there would be a minimum of 3 crier's per day. And I was right. Some days we even had more! And even amidst all that we still had fun! We visited a train museum, Buffalo Bill's gravesite, got ice cream and wandered around down town, drew Disney animations with all the grandkids, and went kayaking and paddle boarding at the lake near Kort's house, and even dyed our eyebrows. Kortney's turned out so dark that I couldn't look at her without laughing. It was the perfect little get away for a few days and a fun way to end the summer.

August ended with us trying to squeeze in the last bit of summer fun. Summer was longer because school didn't start until September because of Covid. Schools wanted time to prepare so kids weren't back in class until September. Which was awesome, but it also meant that school wouldn't get out until June 11th. 

We offered kids trip to the coast...but they chose camping. In true Welch camping fashion the trip started out as a bit of a disaster. We had to postpone out trip due to flat tires, un-renewed registration, and the lights on trailer weren't working. Once we finally got on the road the trip was awesome! I found my new favorite camping spot. Northwest Passage in McCall. We drove up on Sunday afternoon with Michael's family and John. John left us that night because he had to work. We were right next to a river where the kids could play in the water and Kayak. We were less than 5 minutes away from the north beach area, and there were lots of wildlife. We saw a moose and deer in our campground right behind our tents. We even felt an aftershock from the earthquake. Michael and Rachelle stayed with us for 2 nights and then Brooke brought her kids up to spend the last night with us. We went into town and got my fathers place for dinner, had a windy storm that night, and then got up the next day and spent some time at the beach. It was great. I don't get to see Brooke as often as I used to, so I especially enjoyed the time with her.  

We also got to take a quick little trip to lagoon. I hadn't been there since college and my kids had never been so we bought tickets and hopped in the car. Elsie came with us, which gave Emmie the added courage she needed to go on all the big rides. We also got to see Mel and Quinn, Melanie was at the Dingers' dropping off Quinn at BYU. Ironically we also ran into the Flakes at lagoon. It was kind of nice to have some adults with me for part of the day! I think we went on every roller coaster. Once Emmie decided she was going to conquer her fear and go on Cannibal, she decided she loved it and went on it a couple more times. My favorite moment of the day was when Owen got drenched first thing in the morning riding a water ride all by himself. He looked miserable as he spun around all alone on the ride getting soaked. But those of us watching couldn't stop laughing. After we had had our fill of roller coasters and Lagoon fun we hopped in the car and drove home late that night.

We celebrated Owen's birthday when we got home from Denver. He chose to go to Roaring Springs with Logan and his sisters. Which I thought was awesome. And he wanted Doughnuts for a cake. Which was as easy for me as it was delicious!

The rest of August was spent playing with Leo. He got his first haircut. Owen spent lots of time running with his friend Logan. I was bummed that they decided not to sign up for cross countyr. Emmie's soccer season started. And stopped. And started again. And then stopped again. We bribed emmie with curtains (her choice not ours...I actually laughed when the thing she wanted most in the world was curtains!) if she could run a mile in under 8:30. She's not a great runnera and its starting to effect her during her soccer games. And since she wants to keep playing soccer, she has to work a little harder at running. Anyways, after months of trying, and she finally did it! And immediately ordered her beloved curtains.  

We also started reaping the benefits of our garden. Lots of zucchini and tomatoes, and lots of grapes from our neighbors vines that grow over our fence!