Rylee turns 7!

Yesterday, we celebrated Rylee's birthday! She had a fun day filled with playing outside, going to see WALLE, enjoying Panda Express for dinner and having brownies with ice cream surrounded by family and our neighbors. She had a great birthday, thanks to many for your cards, gifts and phone calls.

Rylee is such a huge help to me and Ryan. She's a fantastic older sister, a phenomenal friend and such a considerate, bright little girl. I loved going to her parent teacher conferences and hearing all the wonderful things they would say about Rylee. One of my favorites, (said both years) was that when the teacher had a student that needed some help or reaching out to, they would ask Rylee and she would be so willing to help and make the other students feel more comfortable. It also worked with students that were a little more rambunctious and needed someone beside them that would gently help them follow the rules a little better. Rylee is such a sweet heart and we love her so much! Happy Birthday!


A shout out to my sister, Patti! It's her birthday today! Happy Birthday Patti! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Third Trimester, here we come!

First off, this is a big step for me - to post pictures of myself when I am pregnant and filling out everywhere. But, I thought that if I did it, then maybe my SIL, Christina, would do it too. I don't think she has issues with pictures like I do, but I would love to see your tummy, Christina!

And that would be my back pocket stinking out. Hopefully not my behind.

So, here I am at 28 weeks, moving nicely into my third trimester. I had another ultrasound a couple of weeks ago, and just to be sure, I asked the tech to make sure that the baby is still a she. And she is, so we're good to go. I'm feeling good and ready to conquer the summer heat! (by staying inside of course!)

Where's Lucy?

Just moments after I realize Lucy has 'escaped', I'm pretty sure I know where she is...

She's become very speedy at getting out into the garage after the door has been left open, crawling into the bike trailer and buckling herself up. Needless to say, Lucy's really been enjoying her rides. When I was working in the garage a few weeks back, I knew she was content just hanging out in the trailer. It was actually really nice.

Lucy has been so good to stay inside the house with me each day as the other kids go out to play on their bikes and scooters. Poor girl, but I just don't have the energy or patience right now to be out in the heat. I really do think she enjoys the one-on-one time with me though...she doesn't complain...much.

Our little friend

I wish there was some way to show you how tiny this little bunny really is, but it could comfortably sit in my hand. It is tiny and so cute. I certainly would not say that about the rabbits around here - they are far (far!) from being cute. Pests are really what they are and they are everywhere. They eat flower bulbs, chew wires in cars and are starting to show less and less fear when it comes to people. My kids can probably get about 18 inches away from them before they scurry off. I know we have a fox in the area too, so why these rabbits aren't disappearing, I don't know.

We do enjoy seeing our little friend though. She lives under our juniper bushes right outside our front door. She doesn't come out very far, but enjoys our greenery right there. Hopefully she won't stay very long as we plan on tearing out those bushes soon. She's a cutie though - for now. Look how teeny her ears are!

A Happy Father's Day

Not quite sure we'd be able to get a nice breakfast for Ryan ready Sunday morning before church, we opted to give him 'breakfast on the couch' Saturday morning. Although he was up hours before we were for his shift in the baptistry in the temple, he enjoyed his french toast and strawberries surrounded by little helpers.

Later in the afternoon, we went to go pick up Ryan's gifts. I thought of picking up what he wanted by myself with the kids, but when it comes to buying bike stuff, I'm a bit clueless as to what's good and what's not. Here is Ryan with Lucy modeling his new helmet.


It was a nice relaxing Sunday for both Ryan and I. Ryan usually holds down the fort on Sundays while I have meetings and visits for Relief Society. So this Sunday, all our meetings were postponed until next week. I'm pretty sure this was Ryan's favorite part of the day:

Now, he usually doesn't sleep with his "shades" on...perhaps he was dreaming of the beach...?

I love my husband! He is such a great man and a fabulous father to our children. I'm so grateful for how hard he works for us and making our life the way it is. I appreciate the love and care he dedicates to our family. We are so blessed because of him and we love him so much!!

I have been very blessed in my life to be surrounded by great men! My own dad is amazing also and I have really looked to him and his example growing up and into my adult life. His faith and diligence are spectacular and the love he has for not only his family, but for mankind in general is pretty spectacular too. The same can be said for my father in law. I am so blessed to have a wonderful father in law to whom we love, appreciate and respect.

And not to end there - I was blessed to grow up with a fantastic brother! I have really appreciated his example over the years and I am so proud of him and his accomplishments (not the 27 stitch scar down my face so much, but I still think he's pretty neat).

I have wonderful brothers in law too. 10 so far! I'm so grateful that these men are a part of my life and I love each one of them too. Our families are filled with strong, noble, men of God and for that I will be forever grateful. I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day!

Feeling Crafty

I'll tell ya, ever since I came back from being with my mom and sisters, the creative juices have been flowing! We have been busy little bees over here, FINALLY get some things up on the walls and making things look a little nicer. I would have preferred painting the walls first, but who knows really when that will happen.

I first started by changing the colors in the living/family room from red to a mossy green. You can't really get a good idea of the green from the pictures, but I love the color with the brown in the couches. This was a fabulous suggestion from my sister, Micki. I made two pillows per couch (but pictured all four on one) and would like to add another one or two per couch of a goldy/buttery yellow. Haven't gotten there yet, but hopefully within the next couple days. I changed out the red curtains and put these cream sheer ones in to tie in with the area rug and then the tie-its are the same fabric as the pillows. We were amazed at how such a simple change, changed the room (and we still need to finish the drywall etc. around the windows..just ignore that part).


Along with the green pillows, I made the yellow pillows for our bed. On the way up to the airport in SLC, I asked my mom if we could stop at IKEA. WOW!! What a place, I wish I had had hours there and a truck to take loads of things home! It was fabulous, especially when I found this cute duvet cover for our 'new' bed. Ryan and I made this headboard after seeing Marcie's inlaws guest bedroom in St. George. Ryan is still not sure of the whole picket idea, but I think it's darling. I need to shave the posts down a tad, I think, but we'll see if I ever get it back out into the garage!
This next part is especially for my mom. A few weeks ago, she called as she was headed to Costco to pick up a vinyl cutter. She knew I had been looking at cutters a few months back and was so excited to tell me about them. Immediately, I sent her a check and had her pick one up for me. So when we headed down to Vegas, I got to see how fun these little machines are. I have been having so much fun with mine and we'll see if I can even make a little moolah on the side. :)
The cutter is tiny enough that it fit in the carry on so I didn't have to ship it home. I did have to ship a little hook tool home as I was sure security at the airport would take it away from me. The blade for the cutter is the tiniest part of it all, about the size of lead in a mechanical pencil. Not the length, but the actually width and point. Anyways, I felt so sneaky putting it in my pocket and walking through security. They didn't catch the blade but did stop me and check my bag to get a second look at the 'printer.' However, when I put all my things back in my carry on, I somehow left my manual, USB cord and the software disc etc. there at security!! It wasn't until I got home and went through my bag that I realized it was gone. I was so disappointed, almost to tears! Ryan called the airport immediately and we found out that I'd have to wait until after 10am the next morning to see if anything was turned in! ARG!! Anyways, I waited until 10 and called the lost and found. Amazingly, the gal I talked to had all my things right in front of her - YAY!! So then I just had to wait a couple more days while the airport FEDEXed my things over. Needless to say, I have been having so much fun! Here's what I've done so far:

This is hanging in our dining room. I think the white will look much better against a painted wall, so we'll just have to wait a little bit...

I was thrilled when this turned out the way it did. Why are there two different kinds of ribbon you ask? Well, I was debating between the two, chose the brown, ran out of the brown and then couldn't wait to hang it all up. Today, I'll run get more brown ribbon. For those of you that have been to our house, this is hanging over our barrel chair in the family room.


Now, I hope my in laws don't see this before I get it delivered today, but I made it for them for their anniversary today. I made it yesterday and was just ticked that it was so easy on this tumbled stone tile. I love it! I'm planning on doing one for ourselves. I loved working with tile, because I don't have to paint or cut it like I do with wood.


And finally, here's the little cutter that does it all. It's fantastic! I'll probably be posting more of my projects as I get them finished. So much fun!!

A Peace Offering?

Apparently, some of my sisters did not appreciate the pictures I posted of them. I didn't think they were bad at all, but here is a peace offering...a HUGE peace offering- right here on my own blog for all my readers to see! And, some additional photos..

Enough Said!

Eating lunch at In-n-Out in St. George

Reecy and Eric's cute house

Doesn't this look like fun?!

Some Girl Time

Inspired by our cousins, the LeBarons, we Livingstone girls had our FIRST girls retreat - and we had a FABULOUS time! I flew out to Utah last Thursday and met up with my mom, 4 of my sisters and two nieces. Friday morning, we loaded up Jeannie's van with luggage, sewing machines, mom's vinyl letter cutter, bedding and headed down to Las Vegas to join our youngest sister, Reecy. (Thanks Reece and Eric for letting us come down and invade!) It was such a relaxing time. We spent our time visiting, sewing handbags, making the cutest vinyl signs, going to eat at Claim Jumper, watching a movie and just hanging out. It wasn't a 'typical' Vegas trip, but it so much fun, we all had such a great time! We drove back to Utah Sunday afternoon and I flew home Monday afternoon. I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have and the ones I did take are more candid (not sure some sisters would appreciate them posted, but I guess we'll see..) so I'm going to be swiping some from my sisters. So, don't be surprised to see several pictures coming up...well, depending on when they post...

Here we are.

Left side from top: Patti 3, Micki 4 and Reecy 6.
Right Side from top: Jeannie 1 , me 5, Marcie 2 and Mom.
(the numbers are which daughter they are in the fam- if any of you care to know..)

A huge thank you to my handsome husband for doing a fabulous job holding down the fort while I was a away. You're the BEST! And to my in-laws, especially Dad Hunt for watching the kids so Ryan wouldn't have to take time off of work. The kids had a fabulous time and made me feel so good when they were so excited to have me back. Kaycee just sat beside me and would hug my arm and say over and over "I just missed-ed you," or "I'm just so excited your home now." It was a wonderful weekend (Mindy we missed you!) and we can't wait to do it again.