*Disclaimer* Remember, my camera is broken so all the pictures I have posted were stolen from other people. That means, I am still waiting for other people to post pictures from the other half of the family.

The annual "Treadway Treck" was held last weekend. The guys all went camping and the girls played. It seemed like a quick trip, 6 days total, 2 were in the car, but we squeezed as much as we could in. We went to a water play park, up the canyon for s'mores, shopped, out to dinner, stayed up late gabbing (EVERY NIGHT!) and ate too much and laughed a lot. Love those ladies!

On the actual 24th we had a party at the Powell side. All three of my siblings and their families were able to come - love that they are all closer now - and a few volunteer relatives. My favorite cousin Teresa and her kids were in town and came over also. I haven't seen her for about 8 years so it was awesome to be able to catch up with her, too.

The 24th is a hoiday in Utah (Pioneer Day) which is like the 4th in that you get to blow stuff up. Dad obliged with a box of fireworks and a blow-torch to light them all with. Amazingly nobody lost their fingers, noses or hair - but there were a couple of "AHHHHH" moments for us mom's.

Teresa and Diantha

Carter, Marybeth (back), Savannah and Ivy

Dad (holding a blow-torch), James and Porter's head

Suzanne, Sea (in arms), Amber (pregnant with young Padawan Jedi Yoda Blaster Solo. They're not set on a name yet but there's a suggestion for you Amber), Marybeth, Diantha and mom (Rose)

On our last day there we planned to go to Logan. We haven't been up there for ages and I realized we have no pictures of us at the Logan Temple where we were sealed. We got lunch at Papa Kelsey's YUM and headed to 1st Dam for old time sake. We ran into some friends from our Ward here in CA, ironically. How's that for a small world?!

Anyway, we met up with some old friends and had a great visit with them. Drove around Logan and remembered a million things we had forgotten, then got our pictures done. I am really excited to see them and will post when they come in.

After pictures (which were way to long for Carter) we headed to the Bluebird for some ice cream. This is a shot of all of us in the mirror. It was a great family day and we all left there feeling very blessed.

After our Logan trip we spent the night at Dee's parent's house where they put on a spectacular fireworks show for us.

We made it home safe and sound and realized while we were away our zucchini plants had gone to play. Love my garden! From the one zucchini I got 12 cups shredded zucchini! WOW! (The fork and child in the pictures are for size reference... :)

And last, but not least, if you're reading this - please drop me a comment! I'd like to know if anybody is actually reading this blog!

Happy 15th Anniversary!

4th of July/Summer Fun!

So it's been a while since I posted. There has been so much going on, I'm not even going to try to catch up right now. Instead, I'm going to tell you what has happened recently and if I get time later I'll post about earlier events.

Summer is here in full swing. Going way to fast for my taste, too. We counted up the other day and there are only 30 something days left until school starts. Bleh, not ready for that yet!

Don't mind all the junk food! That's the best part of camping, right?!

The latest and greatest thing we did was went camping. When we sat down to schedule time off the 4th of July week was the ONLY time the entire summer we had to camp for more than just one night. McKenna and I were still at girls camp (another story) so Dee grabbed the kids on a Friday, packed all the stuff and went to camp. He got our favorite camping spot (YES!) and set up camp. I really have to give him full props for this, there was only one or two things he forgot to grab and he got it all together, set it up and still had a good time with just the three younger ones. No easy task!

McKenna and I got up there Sunday morning (because I truly needed a night in my own bed), and it was such a fun experience for all of us. It was awesome after being apart for a full week to not have any distractions (TV, video games, housework, friends, etc). We were able to spend quality family time that is so precious in this busy world.

Carter had a birthday on the 3rd. We had ding-dongs with candles to celebrate and made ice cream in a bag. He got to eat a giant sucker (which he so kindly shared with everyone.) He also got a flashlight which was also a great present. He LOVED camping. Dirt, water, sleeping in a tent. Favorite things for a 3 year old!

Ellie also had a great time. She collected rocks from the river (this one was her favorite.) She rode her bike pretty much all the time. If it wasn't swimming, eating or sleeping time she was riding her bike around. She was so happy to have our family back together, too. Sweet sweet girl! She also loved to do the dishes which pretty much rocks.

Tyler was a stud. He had grown since I saw him last (only a week!) and was even funnier than before. I think hanging with his older cousins increased his sense of humor. He was looking for his glasses in my car. I asked if he found them and he said, "Nope, but I found these sweet bad boys." Nice. He was a huge help to Dee and really stepped up. He watched out for his younger siblings and helped set up camp and start fires. He did get a stomach ache from eating all the junk food the first night, hard to believe, I know.

McKenna was a trooper after a week at girls camp being willing to spend another four days camping. We were all so happy to be back together there was very little fighting. Carter was SO happy to see McKenna - I love their relationship!

These are some random pictures from the river.

Finally, 4th of July. We went to Mt. Shasta (town) for the day. They had a small town parade (bottom center) complete with firemen who knew everybody's name, people handing out Pepsi (bottling company up there), clowns on bikes and knife jugglers. After that we went to lunch and to the lake. No pictures from the lake, but WOW is that a beautiful lake! We totally red-necked it and blew up our air mattress to float on. Carter kept saying, "I like this swimming bed!" After we went to camp for a nap and back up to Mt. Shasta's golf course. The whole town goes there to watch the fireworks and it was amazing. Not so much the fireworks, but the feeling of community and the running barefoot all over the fine golf course grass! There was even a statue that was actually a guy to welcome us there (top-right).

The last picture is Carter in a bunch of sweet-pea flowers, after I dropped my camera. *Sigh* Don't think I can handle a broken camera. The trip was remarkable, though! Happy Independence Day!

Tyler's Next

I'm skipping Ellie's birthday for now because today is actually Tyler's birthday. I'll get back to Ellie's birthday and our Utah adventure next time. **Okay, I started this yesterday when it was his birthday, but had so many problems with the pictures I gave up. As you can see there are still problems with the pictures but just pretend they are perfect before I pull my hair out. Say it with me now, "Just the way we like it!"**

Tyler turned 10. That is a fine piece of alliteration. Rolls off the tongue. Anyway, this is what Ty has been up to this year and some of the things he enjoys.

• He moved to the middle school this year for 4th grade. That was big for him but has adjusted well. He loves hanging out with his friends and has made some great ones this year.
• He learned to snowboard. He wants to go to college someplace where there is enough snow to snowboard. (I'm sure he means the one he can get the best scholarship to...)
• He is taking piano lessons and is actually very musically minded. He loves to sit down and just play and it is rare I have to remind him to practice - which is amazing. He wants to play the electric guitar next year and start a neighborhood band. I've talked him down to an acoustic guitar but I hope he also sticks with the piano. I love hearing him play.
• He draws comics in his free time (when his mean mom won't let him play video games.) They are funny comics and he's a great artist. I'll have to post one someday when the computer and I are getting along better.
• He still has such a sweet personality. Don't tell his friends, of course, but he has such a huge heart. I see it when he plays with his little brother. I see it when he helps people around him. I see it when he sneaks hugs. I see it when he is patient with those kids at school that other kids can't stand to be around. The teachers have always called him a "calming influence" and I appreciate that.
• He is a Weblo scout as of Thursday. He has enjoyed scouting and loves to go to Den meetings. I am proud of him for it and hope it's a life-long learning for him.
• He loves to be outside. He loves riding his bike, scooter, walking the dog, hiking, camping, trampoline, swimming - you name it.
• He gets funnier every year. He has this awesome sense of humor that will often catch me off guard because he's so funny!
• He is a great kid and we are proud to have him in our family!

With some of his cousins at the Powell's.

On a Father/son/dog backpack with some friends. They had a great time, and FYI the dogs are all siblings. Small world I tell ya.

This was Saturday night at the Rodeo. Ty invited a couple of his friends to attend the rodeo. It was lots of fun, and the boys had a great time!

Birthday Girl- How can she be 12?!

Today is my beautiful McKenna's birthday. 12th birthday. Anybody else having issues with that?! How did she already get to be 12? It is a pretty big deal in our household. 12 means graduation from Primary to Young Women's in our church. This is the age where she also gets to wear make-up, heels and babysit. It's a pretty big deal. I thought since I haven't posted just about her for some time it was a good day to honor McKenna.

Here are some things I love about McKenna. I love how completely and utterly she loves things. As you can tell in this picture, she loves snow. She also loves sunshine, rain and hail with the same happiness. McKenna is happy being who she is and I admire that quality.

She is also not afraid to try new things. This picture below is her in her latest performance where she had to be an undercover German spy in WWII. She was good. Really good! She looked so grown up in her suit and pearls, though. *Sigh*

Fashion isn't always important, as you can tell. We had a bit of a rain storm last month (NEVER seen rain like that in my life!) and she just couldn't resist getting outside in it. My plaid boots and yellow rain coat with her giraffe pj pants. Hee hee.

This year she has also babysat for us for the first time. I can't tell you what a HUGE sense of freedom comes with that! After so many years of not being able to leave the house unless I had all four kids with me, it is awesome to be able to run around with out them occasionally. The best part about that is she already knows how to handle Carter when he's having a meltdown. She already knows what the rules of the house are. She already knows the bedtime routine.

This picture was tonight. She wanted Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream Cake. Who am I to deny that? 12 candles, though. Phew, that's going to take some getting use to.

Tomorrow I'm taking her to get a make-over. When I turned 12 my mom took me to lunch, we got make-overs and she bought me make-up. I thought it was a great tradition and I hope it is something she remembers with her daughters someday.

She also got a cell phone. I know, I know. Kids these days. We totally surprised her, though, which was pretty awesome. You can tell by her face, I bet!

She is such a great example to me. She is brave, kind, stands up for what is right, smart, a friend to all, funny, good at sports, willing to try things, a great big sister and a wonderful daughter. I am so blessed to be able to share this journey with her! We love you McKenna!

Law of Opposites - Journal

So we all know the law of opposites. You can't experience joy without first experiencing pain. Love and hate. Safety and fear. Peace and contention. Faith and trial. Etc etc etc.

Sometimes life moves along at a steady, consistent pace. Things are smooth. Things are easy. Sometimes when we fall into a steady, consistent pace we get lazy. Things seem fine - so we don't need to work as hard. Or be as sincere in prayer. Or worry as much. Or be as vigilant. It goes like that until there is almost a numb state where life moves along day to day.

Until there is a bump in the road. Or a tree. Or a brick wall. There comes a point where we are reminded, whether gently or not so gently, that all things great take a bit of work on our end.

Dee was laid off in December, after 9 years. There had been cuts previously and we knew another one was coming but he felt safe. Over a conference call they laid off 1500 employees. OUCH.

This rocked the security boat. Also added to the empathy boat. I have friends and know of people that have been out of work for YEARS. They speak of struggles, of making ends meet, of unexpected blessings. I felt sorry for them but didn't truly understand the range of emotion (from anger, to listlessness, to hope, to counting blessings, to fear and back to worry)and depth of uncertainty that comes with it.

Financially we were prepared for a time, but we re-visited our "wants vs. needs" list. Things that seemed necessary before suddenly became something we could live without. (Nutella!) We also re-visited our blessings list. Our kids are healthy. Our families are safe. Our home is secure and in good condition. We have a good-reliable car. We had time together we would not have had if he were working full time.

This became especially evident with the relationship between Dee and Carter. Carter became his best buddy and Dee couldn't leave the room without Carter following him. He was able to spend precious time with this quickly growing 2 year old that he has not been able to spend with the other kids at this age.

Then there is the spiritual side. I know the cycle throughout the scriptures: hardship - humility - faith - peace - content - laziness - trials - hardship - humility - faith - peace - content - so on. It's easy to see when it's written out. However, sometimes in our lives the trials come to remind us to start the cycle over again. Prayer is so much more sincere and personal when praying for family members in situations you can't control. It is so heartfelt when there is no one else to turn to. It is also followed by such a feeling of love and peace and the knowledge and reassurance that everything will work out, even if not in the time frame or the way I think it should.

To make a long story shorter, Dee has since gotten a job. It is local so we don't have to move. The job seems better than the last one. RELIEF!

I became a consultant for Shelf Reliance, which use to terrify me, but that is another story. I'm finding I love it. I love the company, I love what I am learning, I'm loving the people I am meeting. Things are working out. Differently than I imagined, but I am continually surprised by how "different" isn't bad.

Change is hard, resetting the cycle is humbling, re-prioritizing is painful, remembering what is important and that there is a greater purpose is amazing. I am grateful for the law of opposites. For having time after being too busy. For feeling peace after nights of worry. For getting out of debt (again) after losing a job. For having food storage after using food storage. For knowing people are praying for you after not needing prayers. Humility after pride. Joy after pain. Safety after fear. Peace after contention.

Braces

The poor kids in our family have big teeth and small mouths. What does that mean? It means Tyler (9 1/2) needs braces already. Luckily for him his best friend has them too so he actually was excited about them. Until day two... OUCH!

Before and after shots.

I might also throw in the rubber band colors he chose were pink and black. He says pink is the new manly color. :)