Stockton's Eagle Court of Honor

We are so proud of Stockton and his accomplishment of earning his Eagle.  He made emergency backpacks for our  Elementary School.  His Court of Honor was amazing.  He was able to share this night with two other YM from our ward.  Austin Baker and Ayden Olsen.  Their parents were a delight to plan this night with.

 The American Legend came and presented each boy with a flag that flew over that Nation Capital.

 Dad was able to come and tell Stockton what the flag means to him.  It was really an emotional experience for Stockton and Dad.  Later Stockton told us he felt Grandpa Welch there. 

 Our backyard neighbor is Stockton's Teacher Advisor and he spotlighted Stock and presented him with his Eagle.

 Stockton chose his dad as his Mentor.  This was a very special moment for both of them.

                                                                     Tender Mercy!

                                                               I am so proud of him!

                                                                   Mom and Stockton

Holly and Grandma.  Tami and Rob came and our friends The Sawyer's.  Thanks for all the support!

Catching Up

Spring has been busy for our family.  Stockton has had many band and orchestra concerts which have been incredible.  The Symphonic Band was awarded the Sudler Cup which is the highest award for Bands.  It has been a wonderful year listening to this band. We will be sad to not see the Wolf's for a couple of years.

I finished working at the school, and hope enough funds will be available for next year so I can have a job.  It has been so rewarding working at the school.  I love watching these kids improve each day on their reading.   The girls continue having rehersals for their Cinderella play.  Abby and I are still talking voice lessons and look forward to our recital in a few weeks.  We are singing "Some things are meant to be" from Little Women.  I love singing duets with her, she loves to sing harmony and is getting so good.  Mark is busy with work right now.  He is working the next 7 days straight 13 hour shifts.  All is well with us....Staying busy!

Cruise Jan. 2012

We went on a cruise to Cozamel and Belize with the Patterson family in January. We had such a good time being with our siblings and mom. We missed dad, as he stayed home with health issues. We went to the Lamani ruins in Belize. It was an amazing place to visit. So much history there. In cozamel we went snorkling. Cruising is such a fun way to travel. Can't wait to plan the next one!

Chicago

We were able to go as Chaperone's to Chicago with the Farmington Band. We were there for the Midwest Band Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf won several awards while there. The kids started practicing last spring for this event. They were so good. Every mom there has tears in their eyes at the end of the concert. It was so fun to watch Stockton with all his friends. We sure realized he likes to flirt with every girl, and doesn't seem to mind we were there. He has really has a good group of friends. He stayed in a room with Clark and Sandy.

Christmas 2011

We hosted the Welch's Christmas party this year. We had to make shift houses due to the stomach flu going around. It worked out great and had a great time! Wendi and Bret came over for Christmas Eve dinner with the Madsen's.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great time at Wes's home this year. We did a little of everything from eating to dancing to kareoke and yes football!

Train scare....

I was interviewed by KSL and ABC4 and the Deseret News today to tell my story of my almost train accident! I decided to email the news my story after a mom and her 2 children were hit by a frontrunner train in Kaysville. This was the scariest thing I have ever been through. I am so grateful to be alive to tell my story. I pray continually for the lady who was hit, and wish her a fast recovery. I can't imagine if my kids had been in the car with me that day. It sure puts in perspective what is most important in this life, and also how fast you could be taken away from it. I hope some good can come of sharing this. I am also so grateful for Tami for being there for me that day as I cried and yelled through the phone that I almost got hit by a train, and also for her support today as I was interviewed. She helped me to stay calm. Love ya Tami!!!
This article is from the Deseret News.

FrontRunner accident highlights rail safety
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 5:38 p.m. MST

By Jasen Lee, Deseret News
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KAYSVILLE — Jill Welch said her knees still shake just being near the train crossing where "the scariest (incident) in my life" occurred last week.

The Farmington resident was driving her car westbound through Kaysville on Nov. 8 when a train prompted the crossing gates to lower and halt traffic as it passed at 600 Old Mill Lane.

After the train traveled ahead, the gates raised allowing traffic to proceed across the tracks. As Welch drove ahead, she said the gates began to lower again as another train approached from what Welch described as a few yards away to her left.
See all 11 photos | Click to enlarge
Jill Welch of Farmington talks Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 about her experience in an automobile on the tracks at 600 Old Mill Lane in Kaysville as a FrontRunner train approached.
Ravell Call, Deseret News
Jill Welch of Farmington talks Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 about her experience in an automobile on the tracks at 600 Old Mill Lane in Kaysville as a FrontRunner train approached.
From the archive

3 injured in collision with FrontRunner train – Nov. 14, 2011
FrontRunner train kills pedestrian in Sunset – Sept. 29, 2011
FrontRunner train hits and kills woman in Davis County – July 23, 2011
TRAX accident kills teen girl in West Jordan – June 9, 2011
Frontrunner tracks stretch from Ogden to Provo, service still a few years off – April 17, 2011

She said seeing the train "so close" sent her into a panic.

"Being panicked, I thought the arm was going to come down over both lanes of traffic," she explained Tuesday. "So I immediately thought I had to back up."

She said in her anxious state, she shifted into neutral instead of reverse — only to realize the train was getting closer as she revved the engine trying to move out of the away of the oncoming train.

"I was just a mess at that point — screaming (in my car)," Welch said. "I (finally) got into reverse and gunned it back as the arm was coming down right on the top of my car."

Fortunately for Welch, her car suffered relatively minor damage and she was uninjured — though she was still quite shaken by the rather harrowing experience.

While she admits the incident was primarily due to her own anxiety, she contends that the "crossing arms should never have gone up" while another train was so close to the crossing.

After hearing about a crash Monday involving a FrontRunner commuter train that left a mother hospitalized and her children injured, she felt compelled to speak out about the potential danger drivers face at rail crossings.

Monday's incident is currently under investigation, but Welch said her experience highlights the need for increased safety measures.

She said prior to last week's incident, she used to travel in the area two or three times a week, "but I'm not coming this way anymore."

The Utah Transit Authority said the crossing and equipment are jointly maintained by Union Pacific Railroad and UTA. Testing following Monday's incident showed the equipment functioning properly, according to UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.

He said the crossing arms and alarms are operated by a computer program that calculates proximity and speed of both commuter and freight trains.

"A higher speed (commuter) train will activate the gate sooner than a very slow speed (freight) train," he said. "The intent is to protect the crossing for about 25 to 40 seconds prior to the train entering the intersection."

Carpenter said preliminary analysis of Monday's incident indicated that the crossing arms were in proper working order — activated 37 seconds prior to impact.

"The gates were functioning exactly as designed," he noted.

He said the exact circumstances of both incidents have yet to be determined, but they should serve as cautionary tales for all motorists at railroad crossings.

"(Motorists and pedestrians) should make sure that all activity has stopped on the crossing before proceeding," Carpenter said. "Even if you can't see the train, even if you can't hear the train … if the gates are down, (please

Growing Up!

This morning I dropped Haley off at Kindergarten and usually she likes me to watch her play until the bell rings. We wave and blow kisses to each other. It has been so fun to have her sweet side shown to me. Well today I was doing our normal waving and blowing kisses when she approached the fence and told me roll down the window. I thought she might tell me "Love your Mom"! Oh no, she told me I needed to leave now, and that I was embarrassing her!!! I was crushed...she is growing up. Maybe next week she will need me again. Who Knows!

Family Pictures 2011

 

Being Good

A neighbor of ours called this week to share an experience her son had with Stockton at school. She said her son has been having a hard time in Jr. High. He saw Stockton this week in the hall and Stockton stopped to talk to him. He told Stockton he had been carrying around his band instrument all day and didn't know where he could store it. Stockton told him come on I'll help you find a place in the band room. This kid I guess was shocked that he would do this so willingly. She said this made her sons day, and made him feel more comfortable. She said we should be really proud of what a "GOOD" boy Stockton is. The more I thought about this is, the more I just am grateful for Stockton. He has always been the one who helps others, comforts others, and is responsible. This summer he has had many opportunities to attend camps and AFY. His testimony has grown so much. He came home from AFY sharing his testimony on prayer. If we say our personal prayers in the morning and night it keeps Satan away. I hope and pray that he will continue to be "GOOD". I am Thankful for my Boy!
So cute

Bet you don't see this everyday...

Bet you don't see this in your backyard!

Labor Day

We spent Labor Day weekend up at the cabin. We had a great time riding 4 wheelers, and playing games. The kids had a blast playing with cousins. Haley loved having Gabe and Amy's boys there.

First day of school

Another year started. Haley is going to Kindergarten, and she so excited. Her teacher is Mrs. Johnson and she is so cute with Haley. Abby has Miss Frish and she couldn't be more thrilled. Stockton is in 9th grade which I can hardly believe. He is liking all his teachers and classes.

Shoshone Falls

Mark called at 5pm on Monday night to see if the girls and I wanted to go to Twin Falls, ID for a work/sleepover. We packed an over night bag and headed up on a 3 hour drive. We made it there at 9:30 and immediately went swimming until 11:30pm. The girls loved it. Tuesday morning we drove to Shoshone Falls. It was beautiful here. Enjoy!

Wyoming

Mark took me along on his work trip to Wyoming. We went to Casper, Gillette, Riverton and Jackson. With not much excitement in these little towns, I scrapbooked a lot! It was so great to be together and just be us. I only wish there were Smith's in Tropical places!

June 2011

June flew by way too fast! Summer continues to keep us busy.
Haley graduated from Preschool, Dance recital,boating with Wes and Kiersten and Youth Conference at Bear Lake.