Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my Mom's birthday, she is 64 years young (I think) and will probably not like that I posted that! She is beautiful and we love her so much! She is an awesome cook and it's great when the whole family gets together because she always makes such awesome food, especially her lasagna, it's the best!!!! She has always been there for all the grandchildren supporting them in all their many sporting events, which with 23 grandchildren that is a challenge in itself!

We love you Mom/Grandma! Happy Birthday from all of us!

From Left to Right:
Curtis, Lisa, Me, Mom, Dad, Julie, Steve & Logan!!

The decision....

It has been decided that we are keeping the guitar. Kayden is learning to play at school so he has been using it to practice. We might even look into putting him in lessons outside of school. He tries to teach me some of the chords that he is learning but it hurts my fingers, I don't know how he does it! HAHA!!!

Guitar

So I won this Guitar off the radio before Christmas and just went and picked it up. It is brand new and signed by Emerson Hart from a band called Tonic. I wasn't sure who he was until I heard a song they sing, it goes like this: If you could only see the way she loves me then maybe you would understand.....now you are all singing it huh! (attached link to youtube video) Anyway I am now at a dilemma! I cannot decide whether to keep the guitar or to sell it. I have no idea how to play but I think it would be fun to learn, but on the other hand the money would be very helpful right now? Who knows what I will end up doing but just thought I'd share, what do you think????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l44FI9Pzqxg

9 years wow!!

So today is our 9 year anniversary, wow how time flies! It seems like just yesterday, haha! Here we are 9 years later, 3 boys and our own house finally finished lol! I am so grateful to have Arlund, he really is the best husband and father! I really appreciate all he does and the love and support he gives our family! Here's to 9 years and the many more after that will follow! ( I am going to post a picture of our wedding day later, we sure have changed alot in 9 years haha)

Family Pictures

During the Christmas break my sister-in-law Chrissy's friend came out to my parents house and took family pictures, these are a few she has posted on her blog. I thought she did a really good job! Thanks Kristen!!



My Mom & Dad, the one's responsible for the mess above lol!! (My mom does not like this picture but I do, sorry mom!)









Lisa (sister), Rod, Bryson, Adam & Jacey (getting married this summer)















Steve, (brother), Emma, Chrissy, Dalton,
Kierra, Breanna & Taylor




Kristen had not posted Curt's family yet but she did post this picture which I just love!
Curtis (brother) & Tracy

Russel, Braxton, Alex, Julie (sister), Shelby & Ashlie


Margaret, Logan (brother), Jake
James & Jesse

Anyone who knows my dad will understand this picture, that's why we love him. He had to rest on top with a tada, while the rest of us were grabbing him
so he didn't fall haha!




I thought this picture turned out pretty good! Notice I made it my heading, haha!

The Holidays!!

So I thought I'd send a recap of our holidays! Christmas Eve we went to Lehi and hung with the Lewis Family. (Minus Jason & Mandy, they were in Oregon) We had dinner and opened gifts. Then we went home and put the kids to bed. I got up at 1 am to feed Brandon and Kayden had woke up. I told him to go back to bed but he couldn't. He woke Derek up and they kept coming downstairs to get us up. After multiple attempts of trying to get them to go back to bed, we finally said lets get up (mind you it was 4:30 am) Santa brought the family a Wii, Kayden got a remote control helicopter and some art stuff, Derek got a Power Ranger and an art kit and Brandon got a Fisher Price Barn. We opened all our gifts, got dressed and we made it to Lehi by 7 am. We waited for the rest of the family to get there and we finished opening gifts and had breakfast. The boys got these fun cars that drive on the wall from Grandpa & Grandma Lewis, Arlund got a really cool sleeping bag and I got a cricket, which I have had a blast with, it is awesome! Then Saturday morning we went to Ephraim for the Ray Family Christmas Party. We did not draw names this year, instead we got together and made quilts, pillowcases and fleece blankets to donate to Primary Childrens in my nephew Keaton's name (who passed away at 3 days old due to complications with heart surgery) All the grandkids helped and it was alot of fun. We took a break midafternoon to go sledding and came back to finish quilts and have dinner. My niece Jacey also came back from sledding engaged! We are so excited for her. She is going to get married this summer sometime, no date set yet! We celebrated the New Year in Lehi since Jason & Mandy were back from Oregon. We had prime rib, shrimp and all sorts of goodies. Then we played Apples to Apples and Scrabble. We even celebrated with a few fireworks. Our friends James & Waiva came as well. I was so glad they came because it was the first time I got to see baby James and he is a cutie! The Holidays were good, too short but glad they are over.




Christmas Eve, Blake and Brandon got matching PJ's!




Christmas morning opening gifts!




Making quilts



Sleigh riding....


Jacey's ring! Playing games...


Eating, eating and more eating is all we did!
I posted lots of pictures but if you want to see more, check out my facebook!

Our cousin/best friend passed away Friday. Words cannot express how much we miss him! He was a great guy! The boys are deeply saddened! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family! I posted his obituary, we love and miss you Steve!


Steven Lubben
(September 9, 1980 - January 2, 2009)

Our beloved husband and father passed away on January 2, 2009. Steve was born September 9, 1980 to Daniel Lubben and Laura Goodsell. He was married December 19, 2003 to Kelsey Prettyman in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Steve loved hiking, fishing, hunting, and anything associated with the outdoors. He also enjoyed serving the young men in the church, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends.

Steve is survived by his wife Kelsey; his son Michael (4); daughters, Daisy (2); Shirley (1); and a baby expected in July; 3 brothers; 2 sisters; and his parents.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mountain View Stake Center, 75 South 600 East, Payson, UT. Friends and family may call at the church prior to services from 9:45 to 10:45 am. Interment will be in the Payson City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Steven’s family at any Nebo Credit Union.