CHRISTMAS PIJAMAS 2007

Jonique showed me this picturef tonight, and I had forgotten that we took it on Christmas Eve. The sadness is that Rory and Heather are in Texas and I don't know how to PhotoShop them in! But I'll share it anyway, because it is a wonderful memory! (the grandkids were already put to bed)

RILEY'S 31st BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY TO RILEY!

It's so amazing to celebrate someone so special as Riley on his birthday - - and to look at all the joy and blessings his life brings to each of us! Our 3rd little (not anymore) son, Riley, brought to our home an amazing peace. He has been a lover of peace, even as a 2-year-old in his little red tennis shoes, diapers and a bottle hanging from his teeth. That is how he liked to dress as he played with his big Fisher Price dump truck, front end loader and crane. We didn't know then that he would be amazingly handsome and stylish when he grew up!

Grandpa Bluth (Lynden) always had a special connection to Riley, who looks a lot like he did. Also, their coloring and genetic background both are very Swedish / German. Every summer when we came to visit our grandparents in Scottsdale, AZ, Ryan or Rory would have cut Riley's hair - - thus he was bald (again). Grandpa always called him "My Little Swede" or "Guero Pelon" (spanish for blonde baldy). Riley has Grandpa Bluth's intelligence genes also, and he is interesting to talk to because he has always read or studied up on interesting details - very intelligent!

Ashley is the love of his life! We love how he loves her! I always knew that whomever Riley chose as his wife would be loved deeply and tenderly. He was that was with every animal or person that he met. Now he can focus all that love on someone as beautiful and special as Ashley! I'm so grateful to be his mom, and have always appreciated the love that Riley gives to all of us in his family - and now, how he cares for and loves Ashley's family!

Rick (dad) loves working with him each day! We're so proud of how hard he works, how amazingly well he relates to and works with people, and what good work he does. We often hear from our customers at how much they love Riley! Riley, you are truly a blessing to us - and we appreciate who you are and all that you do!

RICHARD'S HAIRCUT - GRANDMA BLUTH'S 81ST BIRTHDAY (shared)

Sunday we arrived home from Jason's homecoming and found that Richard had beat us home, and was sitting in preparation for his "custom" haircut! Dad said it was his best Birthday/Father's Day gift - - and while Richard's tears of sadness flowed, our tears of joy flowed even more!

This is the BEFORE shot, and here is the AFTER shot. Vote for your favorite Richard-do! Yep, he's cute either way - - and we love him however the package comes!

RICHARD TURNS 21 YEARS OLD - Surprise!

The SURPRISE party worked! Bailey helped Jonique and Mom play a total surprise party with all of Rich's old friends at the Elliot House. Richard has worked so hard at making the Elliot house a really good looking home and yard, so it was an obvious choice for his party! On the day of his birthday he worked at Tilley's shop and dropped by to see us (dad and mom) since I had made him a quart of his favorite carrot juice (yum!) and we had his gift (yep - he wanted/needed a vacuum). Jonique told him that she was going to a movie that night, and that we had a wedding reception to go to. On top of that, Bailey's mom's birthday is the same day, so Rich and Bailey were making dinner for her mom. Richard must have felt badly - - and so did I, thinking that he didn't get any kind of celebraton - -but I knew it would be worth it later. Jason Payne had gotten home from his mission, Brett Bentley, Mandy (came from Utah), Josh Tilley (and his fiance), Mike Harrison, and guys from Richard's work. It was fun to see Richard so surprised - - then to see him hug and lift his friends (squeezing them) off the ground! Happy Birthday Richard!

LIKE SON, LIKE MOTHER - - Looks like Cam prays too long, and looks like Rick prays too long!

Just you wait, Jonique and Cambria, we'll get even!

4 BIRTHDAYS IN 22 DAYS!

GRANDKIDS SLEEP-OVER - Good morning jacuzzi party in grandma's herbal shampoo! Roxie didn't dare go under the bubbles, but Zander and Devanie did. Since it was an impromptu party, there were no clean clothes, so we sewed some up - - and they learned how to make short pants to match t-shirts. Also, Zander sewed a flag, and made a pole out of a tree limb. There is never enough time to do everything that we want to do - - but we do have fun!

Devanie turned 8, Ryan turned 34, Maddaux turned 1 and Zander turned 6. April is certainly a busy month for their family! For Devanie's 8th birthday, we invited her to go to dinner with Grandma and Grandma, but first we set up a scavenger hunt of special baptism gifts. It was fun to follow Devanie as she figured out the clues. Devanie was dressed in a beautiful dress that she and Cam had shopped for her birthday, and she was a total lady at our dinner out! We went to Pei Wei because she chose Chinese - - and sat out on the patio. What a special day to be with our beautiful granddaughter!

When we got together for dinner on Sunday, Zander made his special cupcakes - - and on top of that, Great Grandma Gurney brought him a birthday cake! Lots of cake that day! Then Zander treated everyone who came to his famous Dr. Bigler painless-alignment treatment and announced that when he grows up he will be a doctor like Dr. Bigler.

He told his parents for quite some time that when he grows up he wants to be the Prophet, but recently when he watched the DVD Bible Story of Abraham (and Isaac) he came and told them that he doesn't want to be the prophet anymore - - then continued, "because I can't kill lambs"! He's a cool kid, and besides piano, he's a great soccer and broom hockey player on the trampoline!

DEVANIE'S BAPTISM on April 26th, 2008 was such a beautiful day! She had waited a month, since her birthday was the last day of March, and she was really ready! Now she has taken the first step (ordinance) that is required for this life.

Melanie Bluth's (Rod's daughter) wedding was that same day in Utah so Great Grandma Bluth, Lothaire's family and Gordon's families were in Utah - - but Nicole and her kids were there, and Great Grandma Gurney came with us. Also Devanie's Great Grandma and aunt came from Utah, and her Alvey aunts and uncles.

Devanie was so gracious and sweet! I noticed how she thanked everyone for the gifts that they brought to her, and really felt Heavenly Father's love for this sweet girl! She has such an obedient spirit, and she has always tried to choose the right.

I played the piano for the meeting, and Roxie came up and sat on the bench with me. Ever-so-often she would contribute a note or two, but somehow it wasn't too noticeable. She chose to purse her lips the entire meeting - - but sat right in front of the font when Ryan performed the ordinance. Jonique said the opening prayer and Colby Alvey gave a talk on the Holy Ghost (his testimony was my favorite part - - other than watching Devanie). Richard brought Bailey Brown and Weston Fulmer came with Jonique.

What a great support system for a little girl - - to know that she is surrounded by love. Amazing that she has 3 great grandmas, 2 grandmas and of course, 1 special mom and dad!