Christmas Tag

Christmas Tag
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper - in fact my first job was as a gift wrapper at Deseret Book.
2. Real Tree or Artificial? Artificial but I always buy an Evergreen wall plug-in!
3. When do you put your tree up? The day after Thanksgiving if we're home. If not, as soon as we can!
4. When do you take your tree down? After New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, diluted.
6. Favorite gift received? My husband gave me a piano the first year we got married. I don't play much anymore, but the kids do and what a surprise it was!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My in-laws!
8. Easiest person to buy for? McKenna, she loves everything and is so gracious even if the present is sucky.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes I have 3.
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas Cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas presents ever received?
12. Favorite/Worst Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life and Elf. Worst? I want a dog for Christmas Charlie Brown. Stunk big time.
13. When do you start shopping? Usually not until the end of November unless I find the perfect gift.
14. Have you ever recycled a gift? Yep, this year in fact!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time? I love chocolates, hot chocolate, chocolate candies, peppermint chocolate... you name it.
16. Lights on tree? Clear but I love the color ones too.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and the entire muppets CD
18. Travel on Christmas or stay home? Every other year we travel on Christmas
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes - in order too
20. Angel on top of tree or star? Angel
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve? The kids open the Christmas jammies
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Angry Walmart shoppers. So you have to walk a few more parking spaces, don't try to run me over!!!
23. Favorite ornament? We get a new ornament that represents the most important thing every year (i.e. This year is Carter's first year...) and those are my favorite.
24. Favorite food for Christmas Dinner? We have strawberry waffles for breakfast. It's better than dinner.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Plane ticket to Georgia
26. Tag 3 friends: Suzanne, Amber, Shally

Merry Christmas!

12 days to go! This is going to be an awesome Christmas at the Treadway home. The kids are perfect ages, although it might be the last one of "belief" for McKenna. They are all so excited and Ellie is just brimming with joy all the time. Only 4 days of school until Christmas break then we are all looking forward to some sleeping in (right Carter?)!



To post on our travels, we went to Utah to visit family for Thanksgiving. It was a great time but it flew by. We went to the zoo, played touch football, played a lot of Wii and ate a ton. It was a great time and we were able to see many Treadway-side family. We had a big sleepover on Wednesday at Pat and Lee's and stayed up playing games until the wee hours of the morning. We all laughed so hard and it was just fun being together.


I've attached a video of Carter laughing for those far away so you won't miss it. The video is a bit shaky, I was actually playing peek-a-boo and holding the camera. Worth watching, though. He has become such a fun chunky baby!


The last exciting thing that has just happened is our first niece on the Powell side was born yesterday! Congratulations James and Amber!

Since we've been home it's just been a countdown to Christmas. We've seen the kids' school performances, decorated, constantly listened to Christmas music, shopped and most importantly paused during the chaos to count blessings and think of our Savior. We miss you that are dear to us and far away. May the Spirit of Christ touch your lives and hearts. Merry Christmas!

Holidays are coming!

A quick update on what has happened the last two week. Some of the biggest news is Tyler lost his two front teeth. This alone is pretty exciting, but I have to tell the story of HOW he lost his teeth. The first one was super wiggly and grossing me out. Finally Dee convinced him to tie it to his nerf gun with floss, but the nerf gun wasn't strong enough to pull it. Then he convinced him to tie it to an arrow and shoot it with the bow across the yard. It worked so well and was so fun a few days later he was able to repeat the process with the second tooth. I've attached a short video clip of the second tooth for you to see. Not as cool as the video of the first tooth but too long to put on this.

McKenna made Honor Roll for the first time and we are so proud of her for it. She is growing so big so fast and I love to see the good decisions she makes and the tender heart she blesses us all with.

Carter turned 4 months and at his checkup/shot appointment we found out he is a healthy 15 1/2 pounds. By the time this kid can walk I'll have the biceps I've always wanted! He is sick with a cold this week but has been doing better overall. He's laughing and interacting and is just so much fun.
Halloween came and went with LOTS of candy. The only decent pictures I got were of Carter (mini D)/Dee and Ellie. Tyler and McKenna were a little fickle on their costumes and by the time they decided it was time to head out the door. We had fun and lots of candy but we're ready for the other holidays to start!

8 things tag...

I haven't been keeping up on my tags so that may be what the next few are about. This is the most recent one.

8 Things I am passionate about
1. My kids
2. My husband
3. My faith
4. Sleep
5. My kids' future
6. My friends
7. Chocolate
8. A healthy future for me

8 words or phrases I use often
1. You'll never believe what Ellie did
2. Anyways (yes, I always put the "s" on and it could be from a conversation 3 days ago...)
3. I am so tired...
4. What day is it again?
5. Didn't I just feed you?
6. What do you mean you're out of socks? I just did laundry!
7. Yes Tyler. You have to eat that.
8. I love you!

8 things I have learned from my past
1. Family is more important than anything.
2. Prayer works
3. Life isn't always about fun
4. Or about me
5. and problems aren't as big as they seem.
6. You have to appreciate the moment before it's gone
7. Always always always keep a promise.
8. People surprise you - who knew siblings could turn out so great?!

8 places I'd like to go see or visit
1. Hawaii
2. Georgia
3. Disneyland/world/cruise
4. Any sort of cruise, actually
5. Tetons
6. Oregon
7. Salt Lake City
8. Zion's Park

8 things I currently need or want
1. A good nights sleep
2. or just a nap
3. Family to live closer
4. A date with my husband
5. More time just to play with the kids
6. Exercise
7. A maid
8. Time to scrapbook

People I tag
Stephanie, Monica, Anmarie

Happy Fall!

Ok, so Suzanne called and nagged me about not updating our blog. There is a lot to catch up on and I'm sorry I haven't done it so far. As I told her, it's lucky if I get a shower and blogging has fallen to the bottom of the totem pole. I'll give it a shot this weekend, though and post so much ya'll be sick of hearing about it. Here's the first one...

We finally made it to fall. Now those of you in pleasant summer places, you know the places that don't make it to 110+, may not see this as a great achievement. However, you probably haven't done things like parked at the end of the Costco parking lot just because there was a smidgin of shade. Or stupidly taken a drink out of a water bottle left in your car only to burn your entire mouth and tastebuds. Or walked out the door only to melt on your doorstep. (Not to be ungrateful, I never have to shovel my driveway.) What it all leads up to is we are SOOOOO happy Fall is here! I love the colors and the decorations. I love the cool nights and pleasant days.

Carter is almost 4 months old. He's reached 14 pounds and is hitting the fun milestones quickly. One week he discovered his tongue (which got the kids giggling so hard in church I had to pass him to our friend behind us.) The next week he learned how to move his hands around, the week after that he learned how to laugh and this week he's learned how to grab things with much concentration. He is studying his feet now so it will only be a matter of time before they are in his mouth.

McKenna and Ellie are through with soccer. It has been a great year for it. McKenna's skill level has improved by leaps and bounds and the best part is she still loves it. Although I've loved this soccer season I'm excited to have Saturdays back not to mention 3 more nights a week without running from place to place.


And not to leave Tyler out(poor second child...)he had his first sleepover last night and rocked at Rock Band. No pictures of that, though.

Tonight was the school's Fall Festival. They got to dress up so I'll give you a shot of Dee & Carter's costume. Makes me laugh every time I look at it. Ever heard of Mini Me? This is Mini Dee.

Catch Up!

I haven't blogged for a while so I will attempt a catch up blog. Things, again, seemed to move to warp speed while I in my human form can only move one speed. Some days that is not enough and I go so far as to wish I had a clone. Mom once said, "If I were in charge I'd make it so when moms are pregnant they also grow an extra set of arms. Then when the child turned two they would fall off." I second that! Where do I begin?

Carter turned 2 months. At his check up yesterday he is at 75% all around (weight 12lbs 11oz, height 23 1/2 inches and head size). He got his shots also, but his siblings were praying for him and he's been happy as can be since then. He's smiling and cooing and it is awesome to see what new things he's going to do next. His favorite thing in the world is the ceiling fan (should have saved the money on the crib mobile, no interest in it!). He still gets colicky at night but not nearly as bad and not nearly as long. Hooray! He hates the car however, and when I asked the Dr. some advice on that one he wrote me a prescription for a new car. Woo Hoo!

We had Carter's blessing over Labor Day weekend. The blessing was beautiful and I am thankful everyday for my wonderful husband. During that weekend most of our family was able to come out from Utah and California. It was so great to see everybody! The Treadway boys went on the annual Treadway Trek and had a great time. The girls also had an awesome time but that is a story for another day. It was also awesome to see Bert (our eldest Nephew) for the first time off his mission. He's a MAN! :]

Heather stayed out an extra week and we got to play. I can't express how sad I feel when the family leaves. I often think I want to move back to Utah but I realize I can take or leave the state, I just love being by family.

Let's see, what else? School started. It is a big crazy year for us. Not just the baby is an adjustment but Ellie started pre-school. She's loving it. Tyler is in 2nd grade and is having the best year of all so far. McKenna is in 4th which, where we live, means middle school. I have a HARD time with that one! It's 4th - 8th which means when I go pick up my baby from school there are all these teeney-boppers who are taller than I and yet wearing clothes too short for Ellie!! I'm sure I'll get over the shock soon but it's been almost a month and I still am dropping my jaw daily. What are their parents thinking? Are they sneaking the clothes to school or do they walk out the door looking like that? Well, that, again is a rant for another blog. This one is long enough today.

Bad parenting 101

I thought I'd share the bad parenting mistake we made this week. We had gone to the library for story time (good parent) and while I was there I thought I'd check out some movies (ummmm, movies from the library not books. Ok parent - let that one slide.) I saw "Where the Red Fern Grows" and thought to myself, "Oh, I saw that when I was a kid. I'll bet the kids will love it." (Parenting starts to slide...) We get home and Dee says, "I loved that show when I was a kid" and puts it in. Two hours later we have three SOBBING children. I'm talking SOBBING with the hiccup at the end of the cry sob. (Enter bad parents. What were we thinking?! We're a total dog family!) I knew we were in trouble when we get to the part when Little Anne lays down on Ol' Dan's grave and is about to die (sorry if you haven't seen it) and McKenna is sniffling and says, "Oh she's going to have babies!" because she's a total optimist and knew her parents wouldn't let her watch anything where both dogs die and the movie ends. Well they cried for a good hour after the show and for days after Ellie (who is 4) would randomly say, "I didn't like when that dog died" and hiccup/sniffle then hug our dog Pete.

Well, the good news is Carter has made it to the 4 week mark. (Good parent. We'll go back to the basics before the need for a therapist. Eat, sleep, clean diapers)
Here's some pictures!

Tagged: Memories

This sounded like fun, (maybe a little dangerous) so I thought I'd try it out. If you know my husband too, feel free to leave memories of him too! :)

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses!

I also thought I'd post a picture of Dee with a ponytail. It was a lost bet from his soccer girls (they were 8 & 9). If they won the first game of the tournament, he'd wear the ponytail, if they won the next one he'd wear pink socks. I'd also like to throw in the weather was 114 that day. Between the games they went and jumped in the Sacramento river. I do love the picture. What a guy!

Bringing Up Baby

So Carter is already 2 1/2 weeks old. I realize that doesn't sound like much time but he's already changing and growing too fast. Being the last of the Nor. Cal. Treadways, I'd like time to switch into slow motion to truly enjoy it all before this "new baby" time is a memory.
Maybe that is why we get midnight (and 3AM) feedings, to spend a little less time wasted on that blasted sleep and more time just gazing at the baby. Yeah, right. Maybe I should just pull out the video camera more and then I can say, "remember when..."

Welcome Baby Carter!

Carter Lee arrived July 3rd weighing in at 8 lbs 15 oz, 21 inches long. That was a bit of a shock to his parents (especially mom) since our biggest before him was 7 lbs. He was in NICU for a while with blood sugar regulation issues but quickly overcame and got to come home on time. Since then he's done fantastic with being loved by his siblings (mauled?) and was able to meet additional family who came up over the 4th. Big thanks to Granny and Grandpa Powell who have survived the fires and 116 heat to take care of Carter's parents!

Here are a couple of pictures and I know there will be lots more to follow when I've got more oomph!

Fun in the Sun

First off, no baby yet. 3 weeks to go and counting! Here's a picture for your belly-viewing pleasure.

Summer kicked off with a bang. The most exciting thing so far is our new dough-boy pool. It is our sanity so far and is so awesome to just go in the back yard and hop in when it's 100 degrees outside. The kids are getting to be great little tan swimmers.


We've been to the Strawberry Festival in Happy Valley (yes, the town is really called Happy Valley), to the coast this week where we froze (from 100 degrees to 56 is quite a shock to the system) but it was beautiful. Now we're just waiting for Junior to arrive to take the next step of this summer!

Ty's Birthday

As you can tell all my babies (until now) are spring babies. They all have birthdays within weeks of each other which makes it fun but also a little crazy!

Tyler's 7th birthday was the end of May. He also got a "family party" because it's an odd year for him. He chose to go mini-golfing for the first time. We were fortunate to have great weather over Memorial Day so we went then. Again the techniques to get the ball to the hole were interesting and pretty funny. The older two were pretty good and Ellie had the hack it to the hole approach.

It was an optimistic game, even if it was pretty high scoring. Tyler would often shout "I got a hole in 6!" and Ellie jumped up and down cheering no matter how many strokes it took. I think golfing is too quiet a game for our family but we sure had a good time then!

Ty had a great birthday and I can't believe he's 7!

Ellie's Birthday/Mother's Day

Ellie's 4th birthday came and went. She got a party this year and wanted a "Dora party." There was a bunch of 4 year olds and we did a lot of free play (they loved chasing McKenna around), pin the boots on Boots and a pinata (no injuries, thank you very much...) and of course cake, ice cream and presents. She had a great time which is what we wanted most of all!

For Mother's Day my wonderful husband surprised me with flying my mom out for a visit. I've been homesick not to mention very pregnant. She was able to come out for four days and was able to be here for two baseball games, a soccer game, Ellie's party, Mother's Day and great weather on top of it. It was just what I needed and we had a great time. Even after (almost) 12 years of marriage he still surprises me!

Tagged!

ABC Tag

A - Attached or Single: Attached
B - Best Friend(s): Dee, sisters & mom
C - Cake or Pie: Cake, but as Grandpa said, "There's only two kinds of pie I like...hot and cold"
D - Day of Choice: Friday
E - Essential Item: Peppermint gum, cell phone, camera and IPod
F - Favorite Color(s): Purple
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms
H - Hometown: West Valley City, Utah but have grown awfully attached to Anderson
I - Indulgence(s): Reeses peanut butter cups and B&J Ice Cream and a good night sleep
J - January or July:- I'd have to say July but not because of the heat. I like the summer visiting family and not running like crazy!
K - Kids: 3 and 3/4
L - Life is incomplete without: My family and beautiful things God created to see
M - Marriage Date: July 13th, 1996
N - Number of Siblings: 1 Brother and 2 sisters
O - Oranges or Apples: Fuji apples daily or oranges if they are right off the tree
P- Phobias or Fears: Something wrong with my kids and clowns of course
Q - Quote: "Simplify"
R- Ring size: 7
S - Season: Fall, if we can survive the hot summer fall is always the best!
T- Tag 3 Friends: Amber, Suzanne, Heather
U - Unknown fact about me: My eyes change color when I'm upset or sick
V - Very favorite stores: Walmart (I know I know) and Trader Joe's
W - Worst Habit: Worrying and popping bubbles with my gum
X-ray or Ultrasound: Baby Ultrasounds
Y - Your Favorite Food(s): I love fresh fruit and the strawberries are on right now so I'll pick them!
Z- Zodiac: Scorpio

Birthday Bowling

McKenna had her big 9th birthday last week. We do "family parties" on the odd years and she chose to go bowling. (Actually 3rd choice, she wanted to go horseback riding but that fell through then skating was her 2nd choice and the rink was closed that weekend.) We ended up having a great time. It was funny seeing the different ways they chose to get the ball down the alley. McKenna had kind of a hold it over your head and launch it approach which worked pretty well except the two times it went into the next lane. Luckily nobody was there but she got embarrassed. Tyler's approach was a double hand roll, no casualties. Ellie ran it up to the line, dropped it on the floor, bent over it and rolled it. That basically meant a few times we weren't sure if it would get to the end of the lane much less hit any pins. She loved the suspense of it though and had a couple of groups cheering for her because she was so dang cute. Their favorite part was the magic ball return. Dee and I tied with him winning a game and me winning a game and we both realized we're not the bowlers we once were. After bowling we went to IHOP for dinner to celebrate and just had a great time being together! My baby is nine!

Sports days of Spring

Well, we are onto the next stage of parenting. After the baby days of no adult/person contact and staying home all the time we've hit warp-speed to the "we're never home on the weekends!" Spring has sprung with all the activities it has. McKenna is playing soccer with Dee as her coach. She's loving it so far and is much better this year than in the past. Dee loves it too, although he occasionally comes home with a hoarse voice.

Tyler is playing coach-pitch baseball and loves that too. His favorite position is catcher, but I think it's because he likes wearing the extra gear. The weather has been cooperating nicely and we're all getting a bit of a tan (except me who likes to turn red instead!) Both kids are also doing piano lessons and McKenna is in a children's chorus group, which I think is her favorite.

Ellie is un-official cheerleader for all of them and her favorite activity while at the games is playing in the dirt from gopher-hills. Dirty is her sport, I think. So far we're enjoying the chaos that comes from driving from place to place, cheering and playing but I think when
Summer gets here we'll be looking forward to doing...nothing!

Easter and family

Happy Easter! We had a great weekend with the kids starting Spring Break last Friday and incredible weather all weekend. The Easter Bunny came Saturday morning (we try to keep Easter Sunday "Christ centered") and three little kids anxiously waiting by our bed going "Mama! Papa! The Easter Bunny came! Why are you still asleep?!" and they were off. After the blur of the morning our Ward put on a breakfast and a egg hunt for the kids so we headed over there for more fun. So now we have loads more candy than any of us need but what a fun day it was! After baseball practice and naps Dee and the kids went fishing at the river. They didn't catch anything except a piece of driftwood that Dee claimed was a petrified fish, but it was nice to be out playing. (As you can see by the picture, the belly is getting big!)

Easter Sunday was wonderful. Church had lots of music, which is my favorite part. We just spent a nice family day together and were thankful for blessings abounding. I did have a bout of missing extended family, holidays seem to do that, but focused again on our little family and the blessings we have living here.

Last weekend Dee was called into the bishopbric. He is in shock but is excited about the new level of service he'll be able to provide. We are so blessed to have family that is so supportive, his parents drove out and his sister flew in from Salt Lake last minute to be here for him. Gordon, Kristi and the boys came up from Sac and Suzanne, Waf and the boys came up (again!) from the Bay area. It was so great to have them all here and I know he was blown away by the support they all showed.

This week is Spring Break for the kids which hopefully means we'll be able to do lots of playing, but I am to report for Jury Duty tomorrow which could put a big damper on the week. We'll have to see!

And the results are...

IT'S A BOY! We're going to even up the teams. The ultrasound was good and relieved some stress, you know, the heart looks good so far, the brain looks good, etc. I don't think I'll be worry free until he is here and healthy, but it was awesome to see the baby - totally active I might add. We're taking name suggestions if you'd like to log your opinion! So far Ty wants Han Solo, Ellie wants Princess-boy and Waf suggested Tuafu!

Tyler is SOOOOOO happy it isn't another girl. This weekend he was trying to help our 2 year old nephew Leki climb a tree (by pushing him from the backside) and when he was told to stop he said, "I'm just practicing for my little brother!" It might be a surprise how little the baby is when he finally gets here.

Suzanne and Waf came up this weekend and I was so happy to see them. They're the first company we've had since being sick and it was so great to just kick back with people we love and be with them. I have to brag a little about my other nephew Enos. He's four months old and 19 pounds. He's the sweetest baby who looks like a sumo wrestler that smiles a lot. I only got video or I'd post pictures of them. (Duh! Zan, will you send me yours?!)

Here are some pictures of my kids - just for fun.

Fun in February

First off I want to let you all know I'm finally past the sick part of the pregnancy. HOORAY! It was a wicked four months and I don't know how I can forget something as traumatic as that enough to have four kids but thank heavens we are past the worse part. Now I'm getting a belly and we have the ultra sound on the 28th which we are looking forward to.

The weather here in unbelieveable. Today it got up to 67 so to celebrate we decided to go hiking to Whiskeytown Lake. It's only about 20 minutes away so we were surprised to find the waterfall trail closed because of snow. We went a little further down hill and found an easy 1 1/2 mile hike that wound around the river. The kids did great. No complaining, except from Ellie who has legs shorter than your average sheep, and she made it most of the way back to the car before a piggyback. We traipsed through mud and snow and it was beautiful. I'm hoping to get out as much as possible before the heat and the belly put a stop to that. Even then I plan on doing a lot of floating around pools and the lake. Watch for the floating hippopotomous!

Three of the pictures are from our hike today, and the other is Ellie on her noble steed (did I mention how patient and wonderful that dog is?!) The one with McKenna and Dee is our surprise at seeing snow. Who knew?! So, for all those of you who are tired of snow an looking for a place to visit come on over!