Dustin and Sara

Hello wonderful family! Thanks to all of you who came to support us at our wedding and to those who helped out with the reception or even sent us cards filled with your wishes, love and support! We especially want to publicly mention and applaud Ryan and Sally for the wonderful job they did on the cake and flowers, and for keeping up this awesome blog so we can all keep up to date on family happenings! We love ALL of our amazing family!

Our honeymoon was tons of fun despite Sara's spells of seasickness on the cruise. Cabo San Lucas was beautiful, and we LOVED swimming with the dolphins! We also did some shopping, took a ride in a bicycle taxi, and Sara had plenty of chances to practice her Spanish. Upon our return to port, we had about 8 hours to kill before our plane left San Diego, so we wandered around the city for a while and took pictures of some cool flowers and plant life and had a picnic on the grass in front of some random building! It was quite an adventure. Sara had never been to California before and neither of us had been to Mexico, so it was a ton of awesome new experiences for the both of us! You can see the pictures of us with the dolphins as well as some pictures from Mexico and San Diego at this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47754&l=37328&id=706600589

We're living in Rexburg now and have already started school for the warm "summer" semester here (it snowed this morning!) and are looking forward to seeing you all again. Rexburg is only one or two hours away from Yellowstone!

We love you, wish you all the best and CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AT THE FAMILY REUNION!

-Dustin and Sara

Mom's Home

Hi kids. I got home at 11 am today the 29th. It was so great to be home. Except we were greeted with hordes of ants outside our back door, so we mixed up a sprayer of bug killer and Dad went around the house a couple times spraying in the crevices . And I cleaned the countertops. Finally I got to rest. Then Carol Joy, Dads sister, called from Manti and came over with this unbelievably long and beautiful refrigerated semi rig. She's on her way to Phoenix to deliver a load of frozen turkeys. She has a super area where she sleeps, like a camper. It is all automatic steering. We talked for some time. It was good to visit with her. She said we will have Grandma's Birthday Party and family reunion on June 7th. Some won't be in town the week before. I'll pass on any other info when I get it.

Dad batched it for 7 days and did quite well. As for me, I am doing great. I can hardly believe it. I came home early and I reached 100 on the 'knee machine' so I'm coming along better than expected. I'd better not overdue it though! Anita and Sally and families are coming down for the weekend but Dad is baby sitting me the rest of the time. The RS will bring in a few dinners next week. The surgery went well and I'm level and not knockkneed any more. Amazing!!! Thanks kids for all your calls they helped emensely. Also your Prayers. You can still call me if you didn't get hold of me. Love you allllllllllllllllll MOM

Our Music

Ok - i added music! Let me know what you think or send me some different titles / artists and I will see if I can find them. I looked for Sarah McLachlan and they had nothing really - so I think it's just hit and miss. Anyway, send me some that you want me to put on.
-Sally

David and Alexis

April has been wonderful for us. Many things happening to remind us of what's most important: family. From attending Dustin and Sara's wedding, to attending an uncle's funeral, to celebrating Ian's 8th birthday (baptism May 3rd @ 6:00) it all points to Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.

We had so much fun mingling with family and supporting the Jay Eves clan in Idaho and Oregon. I'm sure the wedding party didn't have as much fun as the rest of us due to all the responsibilities, but they pulled off a lovely reception with poise and grace. Being there really got us excited for the family reunion this summer.

Alexis' uncle passed away this month after fighting cancer for 8 years. Her dad gave a heart warming eulogy. And the event gave us a chance to take a new family picture which I'm including.

And lastly...Ian's birthday was this last Friday. We had his party Saturday night and Dave's Batman cakes were AMAZING!! (see photo for the proof!) He had his baptism interview last Sunday and passed, of course. We were a little worried when we explained the week before that he got to decide if he wanted to be baptized and he said, "I get a choice??" But he never said he didn't want to, so that's a very good sign.

Love you all!

Dave, Alexis, Rachel, Ian and Jakob

(Oh, and we put vinyl siding on the house this month.)

Elder Scott Eves

Hey there. Last week we had zone conference in logan and we got to go shopping while we were there I went to jC-penny and bought some shirts and a pair of pants for the summer and i used the money that I got from money drops I spent 13 dollars at the DI I bought a suit for eight bucks and some book of mormon stories for some investigators I really havent spent that much from my card lately and i will do my best with all that. you know I never got those pictures and the letter from you Ive been having a wonderfull time here Ive been trying to take more pictures. you know you shouldent really b talking about after my mission I still have nine months left Im trying to stop thinking of it so I can make the most of my mission but I would like to know how everyone is doing like nick and tj aubrie charity what the weather is like how things are going has anything changed in leesville since I've been gone well I've definently gotten stronger and i think I'm losing some weight I don't think Ive gotten taller well one thing I know is that this church is true you know before my mission I
didn't like to speak in front of crowds now there is not enough time to speak any more. I love you. oh how come Andrew is still not on a mission I really don't like being the only missionary on a mission in our family we could be getting so much work done if there were more of our family on missions you know when Nick and TJ are out of the house you should plan on going on a mission with dad when he is retired I plan to when I get older. I hope aubrie and charity do to. well I can't wait till charity decides to go to church so she can receive the blessings that God has for her and also all the rest of our cousins who are struggling in the gospel One thing I've seen while I've been here is the strength that people receive when they listen to the spirit and keep the commandments you know what is really neat about this is that we have the opportunity to share that with other people mom just wondering but have you had the chance to share the gospel with someone and testify to them of the happiness that this gospel brings to families and testify of your savior. mom dad nick tj aubrie charity that is my challenge
to you to share the gospel with some one and also look in d&c 18:verse I think some where between verse 13 through 18 it talks about the joy of bringing someone into the gospel I think its 14-15 and also mosiah 2:17 I love all of you stay close to the gospel and always remember what your savior has done for you xxooXOoX
love elder eves

Sharon & Dan

Things are hopping here. It is getting closer and closer and then Dan will be leaving for 15 months. Dan misses the new ruling of the 12 month deployment. He will leave a couple of months before the 12 month tours begin. His leave dates are around the 17-19 of May. They had over 200 other people who just got here from different areas that will be deploying with their group. So now there is lots of in-processing and then training going on till they leave. He will be working every Sat and Mothers Day unless they can get things done. Hopefully he can be here for when Scott gets to call home. They will get a 3 day pass the 13-15 of May so we may go to Shreveport or somewhere close for a couple of days. The other news of Dan is he is no longer Bishop. Lots of mixed emotions. It was a sad day when we saw the stake Pres at out ward. Even for me. There are a lot of blessing in serving the Lord.

Nick is still working at the pool as a life guard. We are trying to fit in drivers ed so he can work on getting his permit. He is anxious to get it. Nick and I will be going to Nauvoo the first of June. Our stake youth conference is there this year. We are so excited. We leave on a monday then get back on Sat. TJ is not yet 14 so he will not be able to go. Then the boys have boy scout camp the 3rd week in June. The here we come Utah and yellowstone in July. The boys will start School the 2nd week in Aug so our summer will go quickly. Tj Just finished with track. Following in Scott's footsteps doing shot put and discus. Most of his meets were with the 7th and 8th grades together. But when he competed with just the 7th grades he took first in discus and 4th in shot put. He is on a big growing spert.

As for me I am still doing Daycare and the beehive advisor. But changes in our ward are coming. Our new bishops wife is the young womens pres and she just had a baby. So I think she will be released and the young women will be reorganized.

Hopefully Charity and Aubrie will get their information in. I know Aubrie is happy to be there in Ut.

I will now end and send part of Scotts last E-mail. (Can't believe he will be home in Jan.) He doesn't have much time so periods are not used much. You will have to figure where one sentence begins and one ends. We love you all and look forward to seeing you this summer.

Sharon

Good Luck Mom!

FROM Mom:
I have to be there by 11:30 am tomorrow. So that means I will be in surgery around 12:30 or so. I'm hoping to be home before the 30th if all goes well. My first three days will be at Mt. View Hospital in Payson. Call me there, or call to Gunnison H after that. I love you all so much. Thanks for being mine!!!! MOM

Kids the phone for Mt. View Hospital in Payson is1-800-465-7000, Gunnison Hospital is435-528-7246 . Be talking to you! Love MOM

-Mom, we are all thinking and praying for you!

We love you tons and know that everything is going to turn out great and you'll be up and Running around Yellowstone!

-Love All your kids!

Knudson Family

The Knudson Family on Easter Morning.  

We wend to Reno for Spring Break.  We spend 5 hours in Cabela's!  And 1 hour in the snow and had a great time eating out and playing at the arcade with David and Alexis and family.

We love you all! 

Thanks Sally for putting this beautiful site together!  You're awesome!

Love the Knudson's

The exciting news is Alex and Monica's
engagement They will be getting married

on July 29th in the Sale Lake Temple, right after the reunion. She is a great girl and we are so pleased to have her joining our family.Monica moved into our ward the same week that Alex returned from his mission back in Sept. This picture was taken up at the college dance, they are always smiling when they are together.

Robby and Peter had a great year swimming on the team, this was Robby's first year and Peter's last. Peter's relay team took 4th place overall at state. They have been swimming together for the last three years Peter also got eighth place in the 100 meter Breast Stroke.

Jay and Leisa

Here is an update from Jay and Leisa - I just thought I would add that the Temple ceremony was beautiful and we all had fun being in the same hotel! Thanks so much to Charity and Aubrie for watching all 20 something kids - or so it seemed.
The reception was fun and it all turned out well.


Hey Family!

In case you were wondering how our Federal Way open house turned out, take a look at these pictures. We decided throwing together a reception after the wedding itself was the way to go! Much more time to finish up the detail work. As you can see, everything turned out beautifully, and we got probably about 35 families come through, I guess, but they all stayed the whole time and fully enjoyed themselves. We didn't do a line, just mingled, ate, and talked! Wonderful!

Love you guys,
Jay, Leisa and the gang

Mom's Knee Surgery....

Hi Kids, Just letting you all know that I will be having my right knee replaced and straitened next Tuesday the 22nd, which is also Sarahs Birthday-'hope you have a better day than I will'. By the way Happy Birthday to Dallin on the 5th- 11, Tia-3, which was yesterday, and Ammon which is today-14. Ian will be on the 25th-8 and Mark the 30th - he will be 15. Oh my heck!!!! You kids are growing up and I'm growing OLD!

Art will be here to baby sit me so I won't ask any one to help out. I bought a bunch of TV dinners. I felt that you are all so busy you just won't have the time, and so much is happening later on I just felt I should get it over with. I won't object to someone coming to visit though. I'll be in the Mountain View Hospital in Payson for three days then maybe to the Gunnison H for a few more. I would like to be home by the 1st of May.
I've got the book group here tonight. We are reading "Before The Dawn" by Dean Hughes. Really good. A Novel during the depression. I'm serving my Moms chicken noodle dinner-she invented it, and salad. This came just right because we got the house cleaned before next Tue!

I love you all so muchj, You are all so good to us. LOVE MOM

Brooke

Hawaii!!
All of us Jumping in the water - Yeah Finals are over!

The other picture is at Christmas with Haley, Lauren and I in the blanket fort we made!
Love to you all, I miss everyone!
-Brooke

To see more Great Brooke Pics. copy and paste this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=106841&l=388c2&id=677015563

Liz's Family update

While in Springfield for state wrestling, we went to a few Lincoln
sights (Lincoln museum, their house and tomb)
Shane and Ana loved learning about Abe. Ana even cried when she
found out that he was dead!! they are dressed up like Abe and Mary
Lincoln.

Also some pictures are of Shane, Ana and Mckaye in their Sunday
clothes. Shane turned 6 in Feb. and Ana turned 4 on March 1st,
so I took some pictures of them for their birthdays.

Other than wrestling, we are all staying busy as usual, with school,
work and all. We are also looking forward to spring!! it has been so
cold
here! We are also slowly getting the house ready to sale, as we are
moving this summer for sure! We'll have to keep you posted on that!

Sally & Ryan's Family

We are doing good! We have been excited to have some warmer weather! It's finally here - for a little while anyway. We had a great Easter seeing a lot of family for Dan's 50th and then for Dustin and Sara's wedding! We had a lot of Easter egg hunts and the kids were excited about the Easter bunny. And we tried to really teach and talk about the fact that Easter is all about the great gift that Jesus gave us. His life and that he lives and all that he did was so that we can live with him again forever! We are so grateful for Christ and know that the gospel is true!
I think that next year we need to do Easter bunny stuff all day Saturday and then not do anything with that part on Sunday - it felt strange to get the kids up and see what the Easter Bunny brought them and then try to get them all ready for church. I think it was confusing for them. Any suggestions on how you do it would be great! A friend of mine doesn't talk about the E. Bunny at all she just told her kids: Mom and Dad got you this stuff. :) I think it is actually a good idea.



Anyway, Ryan has been super busy! In this business it's "feast or famine" but it's been tough to get out of the winter "famine" for us because of the economy lately!! Ryan has some clients who can't / won't pay and it's been a mess trying to get the money they owe him- so that has hit the business hard! But we know that everything is going to be just fine we have always been very blessed! We're just grateful we planned ahead and saved up for the winter - like we have always tried to do.
Well, I hope you like the blog thing for our family. I figured it would be a fun way to catch up. You can e-mail me pics and updates and I'll update things. I'll just add them as I get them
Have a great April! We love you all so much and think about you and pray for you often!
-Sally, Ryan, Kate and Emily

Sarah & Mike's Family

Hello Family,
We got back from Disneyland last night. We had tickets for 5 days and used all 5 days!! I was exhausted! Haley, Lauren & Vincent had a blast! So did Luke & Matt.
We will have to e-mail some of the pictures later.
Love, Sarah & Mike
(Sarah - Send more info & pics of Disney Land and I'll update this. )

Brooke's facebook.
copy and paste to see what she has been up to this semester!


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=106841&l=388c2&id=677015563

Hi Kids. Thanks Sally for the great editorial. Thanks for giving Reb her walking papers. Her plate is sooo fullll.
We had a wonderful experience seeing Dustin&Sara married for Time and Eternity in the Boisi Temple. It was good being with all of you.We're trying to decide if I will have left knee done on the 22nd or wait till after Family reunion. We'll let you know when we know. Love youall MOM&DAD hope this goes!!!

P.S. Chris is doing really good. He really enjoyed having us there. He needed it. He has some really good friends there, and great landlords. They had us for dinner Sunday after conference and are in their eighties. They tought us FUZZLE you play with 6 dice. think it was similar to Reb's NERTZ. We had fun. They went to WallaWalla wed to see what kind of cancer he has. Chris has a nice little apt with a Murphy bet we slept on. Very comfortable. I'll have to see if he can send his own letter next time. mom

Brooke, 12 yrs
Louie &
Robin

Mike,24 Taylor,16 Joshua,10 Louie,20 m
Matt, Xavier & Kira
Jennifer 18

Katie 14

Robin's Family

Hi every one I am doing well! I quit my job on Monday and am
starting my own business. I am hopefully going to have
a chiropractors office to work out of starting in may,
but until then I am passing out coupons to people I
know well and will go to there house. 
Mike and his girlfriend just got a house together,
they will be moving in with in a few weeks. it is a 5
bedroom home. I told him he needs to let me and the
kids live with them..lol.
Kira and Matt are still living with me, and Kira is in
the same school I went to for massage therapy and is
doing great. she loves it.
I went to my graduation ceremony two weeks ago and I
was on the directors list and got to where the gold
tassel around my neck for graduation with a 4.0
and the key note speaker was talking to me before the
graduation and I was telling her about what I had been
through with having 8 kids, going to school, going
through a custody battle and recovering from
alcoholism. and she actually used me for an example in
her speech. it was cool,she did not say anything about
what I had told her she just said basically if I can
do this so can you kind of speech. then she said, and
her daughter is going to Apollo too, and she hopes
that all 8 kids go there.  I have never had anything
like that happen it was aw some. oh and I just got my
one year chip on March 5Th from AA.
Jennifer is in north Carolina living there with her
boyfriend and working. she will hopefully be able to
come visit in a few months.
Taylor is 16 and lives with ken, he just got into a
house and it has 4 rooms so Katie and Brook want to go
live with him when school is out. so I will only have
Josh and Louie with me then.. hopefully when Kira gets
done with school we can start a mother daughter
massage clinic together.. it will be awesome. she gave
me a massage the other day and she is really good.. I
am SO happy for her.
Louie is at Luis house for the weekend, things are ok.
we are not together and I am not allowing him to get to
me.. I am such a stronger person now then I was. I
have a new sponsor In AA and I am writing everything in
my life.. pretty much a life story of what I need to
get over and move on.. I am excited that I can finely
get the courage to look back at it all.. I just don't
ever want to allow abuse of any kind in my life any
more..
I love you all and hope all is well! thanks for being
my family. I really don't think I will be able to make
it to the family reunion this year again.. I just don't
have the money and with starting my business I think I
need to just be here and work hard on that..
love you all.. hope to see you some time in the near
future love
Robin

Our First Blogging Assignment

Ok - I am so excited to start this new blog! Rebecca you are officially off Newsletter Duty (I hope that is ok) and I am assigning myself to it. Yikes!

Our First Assignment is for each family to write a Paragraph (no more than 10-12 lines - or shorter) About your Family Tell us about EITHER something you've just done - an event, OR about each person in your family - their likes activities etc.. and send it to me with a family photo. (If you have kids who are out of the house they can send a seprate pic. and a small blurb (5-6 lines) and I will post it close to your family. The picture can be funny, formal, recent or not...what ever. (If you want to, I can pick a picture from all that I have - and believe me I have a lot! I think I have some of just about everyone)

This is not going to be exactly like our Newsletter because... let's face it... sometimes it was just too tough to read a novel every month. :)

This is designed to catch us all up on great events in each other's lives.

Ok - I will post all the new info I get next week - or as soon as everyone sends something.
Thanks! Check back often to see if anything is new.


Actually - I have a question - Would you rather just update your families info and photos on your own? I could make it so we can all get in and do it ourselves. It is actually really easy to add photos and new postings.

Or do you think that it would be easier to just e-mail them to me? How many of you would actually update it? It wouldn't have to be something everyone is supposed to do each Week or Month. Just as often as you want to.
Let me know what you would rather do.

-Sally