MADDAUX'S ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY! FINALLY!

This little guy was so excited when Cam brought him around the corner and he saw a room filled with balloons - - that the gifts and people didn't matter a bit! Maddaux played with balloons non-stop, until by the end of the party the bigger kids had taken them all to the back yard to pop them.

Cam helps him unwrap his gifts so that he can get back to the balloons - - and oh yeah, the huge cupcakes! His car/bike was definately a favorite!

Jones, Bailey and Grandma are on the sidelines watching,

OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY - IT WAS THE BEST!

35 years ago I could not have dreamed that I would love Rick this much! It's so great to be able to truly enjoy just being together without needs or expectations - - cherishing every experience (whether good or bad) as they have made us who we are today! When we woke up, we went swimming in the amazing Arizona sunshine, talked about how much we love each other, how much we love and adore our kids and grandkids, and decided that this year as our gift, each day we will do at least one thing that will make a difference in the life of one family member.

Then Jonique and Riley came and we all went to the Farmhouse for breakfast (at 11 am). It was amazing, although Jonique only ate 1 pancake. At the Farmhouse that is a sin! Riley helped us with our computers (watch out Rory, he's getting pretty good). Riley and Ashley started their blog, so we checked it out, then saw Rory's. Congratulations Rory on passing your Charles Schwab Management test - - and Heather, on the test confirming it's a baby girl! Yeah!

OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY - IT WAS THE BEST!

Rick, posing, or is he attaching his winch to the roots of the tree in our front yard? At the end of our anniversary dinner (alfredo pasta and broccoli) we do what we do best together - - work! Our front lawn had become a "nightmare on elm street" - or should I say, a "nightmare on Ficus street", with lots of seedlings from our ficus tree growing all over the lawn. When we tried to pull them out we found that they were attached to huge roots (4 inches thick and 12-15 feet long). It became a fun mud bogging experience but in the end our front yard looked like a war zone!

This was the first root that Rick pulled by hand, before he needed the truck. I didn't pick up the camera as the mud got deeper. Needless to say, the day began with a great Arizona morning swim, and ended with a great Arizona swim!

OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY - IT WAS THE BEST!

It was an amazing day! Rick and I talked about how amazing the years have been and how blessed we are - - and how in love we are today! 35 years ago Grandma Flanders was here and so were both of our dads. In their place we now have all these beautiful children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren! We have so much time together and we cherish all of it! Rick is my best friends, and definately my biggest cheerleader! I could not have possibly found someone that would support me, adore me, encourage me, cheer for me and love me the way he does. Our differences (they are many) have helped each of us learn so much and have tempered us! His strengths blend into me, and my strengths blend into him. RYAN HAD TRUCK PROBLEMS AS HE BROUGHT HIS YOUNG MEN GROUP HOME FROM CAMP. WE TOWED HIM HOME, HELPED PULL WEEDS WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE GRANDKIDS TO GET HOME, AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED, DEVANIE HAD A SPECIAL BOX WITH BABY BIRDS IN IT THAT HAD FALLEN OUT OF A TREE.

FAMILY CAMPING AT GREENS PEAK

Uncle Riley and Maddaux rip up the hills on this powerful machine - - Zander's quad! Maddaux mostly was interested in the buttons and nobs but Riley wanted to feel the air through his hair!

Beautiful little Roxie, Devanie and Toniann show their wild strawberries, nuts, herbs, flower and pinecone collection. 81-year old Grandma and greatgrandma Bluth (LaRee) got up early and took them hiking, exploring putting their initials in while aspen trees while telling them her true stories of indians, bears and living in the mountains when she was a little girl.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! WE LOVE THE TRADITIONAL CAMPING TRIP THAT PULLS US TOGETHER! WE LOVE BEING OUT IN NATURE AND AWAY FROM THE ASPHALT AND CEMENT OF THE CITY! It was terrific to get rain some of the days, and also into the night. Thanks to Doug Alvey, we got to enjoy the fire in spite of the rain! He supplied awesome golf umbrellas so we were able to keep the fire roaring late into the night as we held umbrellas over our heads.