Last week's update

So much happened last week. Our lives are full and busy, but it keeps us out of trouble. Here's a quick update:

State XC - Wed. @ Salt Lake
I just want to say how proud I am of my Coach Dad (the athletes he coaches did great) and Dalaki. The State course is tough. Dalaki ran his fastest time ever and received a medal, coming in 8th place and earning a place on the All-State Team. His time was 17.04 on the three-mile course!
(I ALSO GOT TO MEET AND SEE BABY ROBBIE - MY COUSIN RACHEL'S NEW SON - SO CUTE! UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT HAVE MY CAMERA)

Region Volleyball - Fri. @ Wayne
I haven't mentioned volleyball a lot, and that's because it's been stressful this year. We had a young team, and it was quite a learning experience for this head coach. We played some REALLY close, tough games, but unfortunately, we didn't make it to State this year. Hopefully my young team will use this year to grow in experience and confidence. I'll miss it, the girls, and my assistant coaches. I LOVE volleyball!

Taping and Mudding - Sat.
Ryan and Jessica came over again this weekend to help out on the house. (We should be ready to paint later this week). It was GREAT to see them again. Our kids are so close in age, and we all have so much fun together - THANKS, FISHERS! Also, we played some Guitar Hero to relax after all the work - what'd we do before video games?

Sacrament Meeting - Sun.
Thanks to Dalaki, the Livingstons were in charge of sacrament meeting this week in our ward. Akaydeh spoke about temples, MahLee about Primary, Daezia about Young Womens, Kaitlin about Institute, and Mom about trials. Jeep and I sang "For the Beauty of the Earth" w/ them, and the kids sang "Follow the Prophet." It was great to hear from everybody. (Dad was supposed to speak, but he got called to work. (Everyone else took up all the time anyway, so hopefully he'll have a chance to share his talk sometime soon!) I'm sure thankful for each of these great examples in my life! (As well as the other siblings who couldn't make it - miss you guys).

Random pictures:

Which sister is which?


Kait and her "bewildered look"


Nice finish, brother!

Kin doing her homework

Ryan and Nish rockin' out

More guitar playin' - look at that concentration!

Hilarious Movie
Last, but not least, this is a video of Tay playing w/ her Uncle Dalaki. I think it's hilarious!

Birthday and Deer Hunt

BIRTHDAY FUN!

Well, I can't believe I'm now 28. Last Thursday, marked another year and some great presents! Even though I'm on the wrong side of the 20's, I sure am thankful for all that I have in my wonderful life!

Here I am w/ my delicious cake made my Julie Yee - YUM!


I had lots of helpers to open my presents!



Here I am w/ each of my siblings who made it to my party. I love them all so much! (Some pictures were taken the next day @ Deer Camp).

DEER CAMP

The highlight of my week was going to our annual Deer Camp. We have so much fun in the mountains east of town. We eat, hunt, sing, eat, play games, eat, and have sooooo much fun!
Hope you're ready to see LOTS of pictures!

Day 1
Trex is pumped for camping!



Jeep setting up the borrowed camper -
THANKS, Uncle Bart!



My cute kids and family




Mertle arrives (that's the name of Dad's truck)




Kait, Nisha, and Kiana hosted a Jeopardy game about
the siblings - surprisingly, Jeep won (beating Mom and Dad)!




I made Kaitlin laugh so hard she breathed
ORANGE SODA through her nose - OUCH!



Dad looking over the fire.



Day 2 - Opening morning

I forgot how much fun hunting is. Dad claimed he was just going to shoot the first deer he saw w/ horns. He sure did. The deer was a tough old bugger - talk about "never say die." After a few shots, he was finally gone. Pretty good size - 5 by 6 point!

Dad pointing to where the deer is and then shooting -
AGAIN!




Kait holding the heart and liver while we wait for
the truck. (Jeep's tired after dragging the deer
down the mountain).



Pretty nice, Dad!



Chillin' back at camp!





Day 3

We sure had fun going for a ride in the back
of the truck and later chillin' by the camp fire.
Here are a few candids:

Sheet Rockin' Party

Two of my awesome cousins, and their wives & kids, came to visit us last Saturday. THANKS RYAN AND TODD! They helped us out by hanging most of the sheet rock. There are only a few pieces left so we can start taping and mudding (whatever that means :-D ).

Also, thanks to Mike McDonald, my dad, Jeep's dad, and Dalaki for the extra help, too. The rest of the wall was knocked down, and it's really coming along. Here are a couple of pictures:



Ryan and Jeep - working on the vaulted ceiling



Todd supervises Jeep's work



Lily, Christie, and Jessica
WE WERE SO EXCITED TO MEET LILY -
SHE'S SUCH A CUTIE!



MahLee came to "help" w/ the kids

Akaydeh, Kinley, Brayden, and Garrett -
playing during the construction time

Jess and Nish -
enjoying some much-needed bonding time

Jeep, Dalaki, Ryan (and Brayden) -
After the work, we played some Mario Cart -
I'm pretty sure I won more than anyone else :-D
(even though I'm not pictured here)

Families are Forever - THANKFULLY

This week, and especially after watching General Conference, I am so thankful for families. So many of my relatives have helped me in so many ways. I am so grateful for everyone. This post is dedicated to just a few of those who bless me.

Some of my greatest blessings call me "Mommy"
I am especially thankful for my three wonderful children. They enrich my life so much, and here are a few CUTE pictures of them:








Great In-laws
I'm also grateful that 2 1/2 years ago my in-laws moved backed to Milford. It has been such a blessing for my kids to have them so close. They are great grandparents and good examples to all of us. No matter what the trial (and they are having a few), they never give up and keep on giving to others. WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH!




Visitors
We were so glad to see Grandma Reva and Grandma-Aunt Mary this week (my kids aren't sure what what to call her :-D). Here's a cute picture of a mother and her two daughters


Our Little Scooter
Well, Trex is not crawling YET, but he sure is mobile. He kind of looks like an inch-worm. I know for a fact that he's adorable and brings so much love to our home.