SAND DUNES DECEMBER TRIP 2008

This was Jacob's first dunes trip - but the rest of these guys are old "has beens". Richard was here last week with Paynes and some of our other friends. Taylor Frost is like our son and he has been back from his mission for a few weeks. Fun group!

Richard is a pro with the Ranger - a whole lot better than 2 years ago when he took me on his test ride and we rolled down a big dune 4 times! Now he knows exactly what this mean machine can do - and he takes it where no man has ever been before! The ride he took Roxie, Devanie and me on didn't end soon enough for Roxie - it was beyond the big rides at Disneyland and she couldn't get back to camp fast enough!

Devanie Doo learns to ride the big quads! She was amazing in following Grandma through the small dunes - like a little duck! Actually, there were some big dunes that shook her up a little - but she did them! Way to go girl!!! At least I didn't find you crashed in the sand (and passed out) like I found Jonique!

JONIQUE and JACOB BEACH will MARRY FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY on JANUARY 31!

Yes, Dreams do come true, and Miracles are real! Jonique found Jacob Beach - or do I say, Jacob found Jonique - and fun and enjoyment quickly turned into a lifetime of plans and a marriage proposal for an eternity together.

Jonique's 20th birthday dinner included plans for them to talk to us about their desires to get married, but everytime that Jonique tried to bring the subject up, her dad and brothers thought she was just kidding and went on talking about guns, bullets and all that guy stuff.

I

was in Texas with Rory and Heather when a text came from Jonique which said, "Hi Mom, Jacob just told me that he loves me". I called her back and asked what she said in return. Jonique said, "I told him Thanks". Rory, Heather and I started laughing - until Rory said, " Poor guy, way to ruin his confidence", but Jonique told Jacob the next day that if she says she loves someone, they will really know that she means it! So Jacob, she means it!

Dad and I have truly enjoyed every minute of these 2 in our home, playing Rook, Russian Rummy, watching them read together, plant flowers together, lots of wedding plans (and they are so easy to make happy) - and then there is a lot of that huggy kissy stuff! I might add, Jacob felt like a son in the first 5 minutes that we talked - there were obvious common grounds like Eastern Arizona College (EAC), trombone, Spanish (mission to Guatemala), has been to the Colonies, loves the Lord and the Temple - and loves Jonique! I thank Heavenly Father for His miracles - and this is a big one!

GRANDKIDS, SON, COUSINS at WALL-E Movie

It was going to be a day with Grandma - but Nicole and kids invited Cam and kids to see the WallE movie - and us 2 Grandmas came along (Connie & Jacque). Even Richard was willing - as he had wanted to see it! Awesome!

We had a fun day seeing the WalleE Movie - Richard, Cambria, Nicole, Connie, Jacque and our beautiful grandkids! It was still playing at the $2 theatre in Tempe and it was a terrific movie and lots of fun! Even Maddaux enjoyed it!

We really over-did the treats, candy, popcorn and water bottles during the movie - but obviously left enough room in our tummies to drop by Paradise Bakery for their awesome salads and sandwiches. I remember the last time I was in this theatre - it was when Antoinette lived here and we took our little kids for $1 movies (now they are 20 years old)! Yes, life does speed along!

PRINCESS AURORA COMES HOME!

Hi Family! Now you can see her sweet little face! She is beautiful, perfect and sweet as she can be! Notice how great Heather looks! She kept herself so healthy and in good shape that she feels better now than she did pregnant! She said the C-Section isn't even comparable to the pain that was in her hips!

This is a rare moment with Alex not "velcro-ed" to Rory. Rory has been very busy feeding, dressing, bathing and playing with Alex - and it looks like Alex is his new best friend! Alex usually looks the other way when Aurora is near, but this evening he came near to her, reaching his hand out - - and almost - - almost - touched her! That was a big step forward!

I got to hold her for a long time - she just slept and made cute noises, but I wanted to memorize her features and feel her sweet little spirit. She is so fresh from Heaven that I wanted to download all that she is hearing, feeling and knowing. It's as amazing to be a grandma as it is to be a mom!

PRECIOUS NEW GRANDDAUGHTER - AURORA LYNN

Happy Halloween - - but even a Happier Gurney Family - - when Aurora Lynn arrived today! Rory, Heather and Alex welcomed their little princess into the world and it has been with great anticipation! She is beautiful and perfect in every way! Alex clung to his dad in the hospital, the binkie was a comfort, and he is still trying to figure this all out - - but he did reach towards his new sister one time!

I was so thrilled to get to come to Austin on Monday and to spend the week in their home. It has been such a beautiful experience to be with them, to see what awesome parents they are, and to feel the love that is in their home. They love Austin, and their brick home is so comfortable and perfect for their needs. Rory loves his work - - and each day when he arrives home Alex and him have a long play session while Heather gets dinner on the table. May I add, the house smells of wonderful food when Rory walks in the door! Aurora will learn to be a good cook from her mom!

Alex is so full of life, so capable and so coordinated! I have loved playing with him and enjoying the awesome weather and parks that are near their home! Their nightime routine is sweet - - as they both prepare Alex for bed, Rory reads a story and Heather says a prayer. It's brings parents great joy and peace when they see their children choosing greatness and love!

Rory and Heather make Alex's last day as KING a special one by carving a pumpkin. Actually, I think he'll always be a king - - and Aurora will be a queen!

Thank you with all my heart for inviting me to share this sacred, precious time with you!

BRANSON, MISSOURI WITH GRANDMA BLUTH & SIBLINGS

LaRee's kids - left to right (top row) Gordon, Barry, Rod, Antoine, Lothaire (bottom row) Jacque, Mom, Antoinette, Curtis - at the end of a wonderful week in Branson!

Mom's (LaRee's) kids began gathering for a week of memories - - thanks to her sweet Christmas gift of a sibling (and spouses) reunion in Branson - planned with her friend Tess (tour guide)! Rick and I and Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Evans flew into Kansas City on US Airways, then Antoine and Shannon got there later that night. The next morning everyone arrived within an hour of each other on different airlines (Lothaire and Connie brought Mom, Rod and Sharon and Uncle Gary and Aunt Lori from Utah, Barry and Jami from Wyoming, Antoinette and Mike from Vegas and Gordon and Marianne brought Curtis and Julia in his jet straight to Branson. The bus ride to Branson was fun - and the ride back to Kansas City was so memorable as each person shared their deepest feelings and updated one another on our children and lives.

I just love my sisters-in-law so much! I wish we'd all taken a picture together, but here is a pic of Sharon and Me! It meant so much to be together again after so much time!

Six of us siblings are over 50 years old - two sisters-in-law had birthdays during the trip (Julia and Connie) and Connie turned 59. Mom's health and long life are a good measure of what we can do! Thank you mom for your sacrifices and love and your efforts to keep us connected! I am so grateful to be a member of this amazing family! I hope Dad was allowed to be with us!

CANCUN, MEXICO - LATE ANNIVERSARY WITH MY HONEY!

Rick gifted me an amazing late Anniversary gift and did it on a budget. We were going to lose a timeshare week (already paid) and we had flight miles, so cash out of our pockets was $10 for the flights! Cancun and it's beautiful turquoise water was the perfect place to rest and to be together! We found the best taco joints and never spent a penny at the resort.

I think we both got caught up on sleep, reading, sunshine and each other after this past year of setting up new businesses, teaching lots of classes, and very little sleep. On top of everything, each day Rick played cards with me (and that is a miracle after 35 years of begging) - plus he offered! That was as good as the trip!

We took a day and drove south to Tulum. This picture is after swimming at the bottom of the cliffs, the most gorgeous white sand and turquoise water in the world! The contrast with the black lava rock and stone temples in the background make it one of the unique placed in the world! We especially like this place with its "Descending God" carvings on each building. The main temple had 3 Gods above the entry - The Powerful God with Emerald Eyes (Elohim), the Descending God upside-down (Jesus Christ) and the Invisible God (The Holy Ghost). This place is a physical verification that Christ came to the Americas - and the Book of Mormon is evidenced historically. (Rick was upset that he had to change in the jungle - and the mosquitos bit his rear end 12 times in the quick-change experience! Yeah for lavender essential oil!