Zander's 8th Birthday with Grandpa and Grandma

Grandpa and I couldn't wait for Friday to come so that we could have our special 8th birthday celebration with Zander! He had such a cool birthday with his family - and got a real DRILL for his birthday (he likes to be like his dad), so when we went to visit them, Zander had already built fences, ladders, signs and everything else he could think of with boards that were around their acre. It was so cool! Zander had even made a "fix-it handyman" sign to post in front of their home (with Ryan's business phone number on it)

Zander chose his favorite restaurant, Red Robin, to eat at, and they treated him royally!  He tried the 50cent "claw" arcade game that tried to pick up stuffed animals until grandma's change was gone. while we waited for food.  The waiters treated him royally and sang their best clapping happy birthday song when they brought his hot fudge sundae!

A memory picture of Zander with Grandpa - the bikes looked like a good idea until he sat on the sharp iron seat and his fat-free bottom end smarted a little! 

Yep, after dinner it was Zander's choice to come to our home and play some serious Wii games with us.  Grandma is always the loser - and wore out before these two!  After Wii tournaments we took Zander home - and had a ball playing Cranium Hullabaloo with Zander, Devanie, Roxie and Maddaux.  It was loud and fun - and we finally quit when Roxie was dripping with sweat from head to toe.  Such a fun day!  Now we are excitedly awaiting MAY 8 at 9 am for ZANDER'S BAPTISM DAY!  It is at the chapel (Stake Center) here by our home.  We love you ZANDER!

Snow - Valentines - Grandkids!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

MY SWEET VALENTINES

I keep going back to December in my heart and re-enjoying the precious moments that we were all together - and relishing every memory. Since then a lot has happened, yet I am clinging to times that we have together.

The other day I answered my phone and it was Alex saying, "Thank you Grandma" for a little box we had sent to them in Texas, then when I listened to the messages on our home phone, his little happy voice had left a message there. It's always so fun to talk to Rory or Heather and have him bouncing with delight in the background!

When these Arizona grandkids come over Maddaux runs into the house, looking for Grandpa, and nearly bulldozes him over as he rushes for a big hug.

Last Friday night after we were all together visiting with Kent, Carolyn, Lena Gean and Jim, the hours were late and we convinced Ryan and Cam to leave the kids - who were asleep in "their" room. In the morning I woke up to Roxie whispering in my face with her warm breath (so cute) "Dwamma, Dwamma, wate up". They had awaken at 6:30 am and it was 8 am - so Devanie had led them in making the beds, folding the blankets, folding their clothes and changing Maddaux's pullups. It was amazing! They are so well trained and so easy to care for - actually I think that they tend me - because I'm so darn happy when I'm around them!

We LOVED our days tending Brailyn while Riley and Ashley were in Cozumel! She just waits for us to look at her or talk to her so that she can smile - and now she is trying to talk back with a lot of expression. It was so hard to take her to her other grandma's when we had to drive to Las Vegas to Whitney's mission farewell. She looked at me like "where are you going Grandma?" and I knew that she was connected to me as much as I am to her!

Of course, I know that we are all eternally linked, and that we knew each other in our premortal lives, but sometimes I am overwhelmed with the "familiar"-ness of each of you! I think about in 3rd Nephi when it was just before our Savior's birth - and in America Nephi went and prayed to Heavenly Father, asking Him to send the sign of the Savior's birth, or the people would be destroyed "on the morrow". Jesus Christ came to Nephi - a God, a glorious King, and said, "...don't worry Nephi, for on the morrow come I into the world". It amazes me that each of you (each of us) were powerful, amazing spirit beings, with great knowledge and understanding, yet we each needed to enter into a tiny little innocent, helpless body, with knowledge of our pre-existence taken from us - so that our mortal experience here could be a true growing experience. Even Christ - who is God's own Son - had to take on a little, baby, mortal body.

I think of this story (truth) each time I see a grandchild, or see Jonique in pregnancy, or remember the births of you children.

I'm SO grateful to be your mother - and to have the charge from our Father in Heaven to teach and guide you - no matter how old you may be - I will always be your mother and have that responsibility. I LOVE you each SO much and am grateful for your GOODNESS and efforts to what is right and honorable before our Father.

HAPPY VALENTINES TO EACH OF YOU! YOU ARE THE LOVES OF MY LIFE! Besos from Mom

RICHARD IS A FARMER!

This picture was captured off Richard's phone, so I know that he's not staying between the white lines on the highway! Insane! There is only one you, and we'd like to keep you around for awhile!

I was so excited to receive this beautiful gift of EGGS from Richard's chickens - that I had to take a picture before we eat them. These chickens have a "chicken king's" diet of chicken hash, bugs, scorpions, and other varmits found in the yard - instead of the fake stuff that us fed at the chicken yards. Also, they don't have the hormones or vaccinations that the store eggs have. Awesome! I'm going to be so healthy! Thanks Richard!

AURORA TURNS ONE, HALLOWEEN FUN AND A ZEBRA TREAT!

Halloween Happenings all over the place! We were excited to be invited to see Ryan and Cam's kids perform in their Primary Program - and then to enjoy an awesome breakfast that Cam prepared. The kids carved their pumpkins - and Maddaux decided that grandmas take too many pictures! Can you believe that Roxie's hair is real - great job mom!

It's Aurora's 1st Birthday - Happy Birthday princess! I am so excited for your cousins to meet you next month and to see your precious smile and your gorgeous blue eyes! Sounds like your family did fun things to celebrate - and your mom has definately kept you kids doing awesome activities! Lucky you! I didn't realize that the pictures I had saved from your blog were all small! I better figure this technology out! Anyway, it doesn't seem like a year since I was in the hospital, holding you for the first time since you arrived from Heaven - and I can't wait until I can hold you again!

Jonique and Jacob had arrived on the scene with decorations for a terrifying Halloween night (they told me not to say it looked cute)! Grandma Bluth and Grandma Gurney came also and brought taquitos and we ate out on the driveway in a perfect, full moon, Arizona fall night. Jacob kept us laughing as he scared the kids - and especially the older kids who loved that he chased them and kept them screaming down the road!

Ashley and Riley brought me a special little Zebra Package - Brailyn, who is now 12 days old (and technically not born yet if it were according to due date). I got to hold her all the time that they were here, and she mostly snoozed. However, she peeked her eyes open a few times, enough to get her picture taken and to say goodbye.

It was such a fun night - thanks to you kids! Last night dad and I missed the Ward Fall Festival Chile cookoff because we're such duds - so it's great that Jonique gets us motivated and into the game! We're so happy that she and Jacob are settled in their cute new home. It was fun to help her sort and organize things and to turn it into a home with their pictures and personal items. it was like Christmas to open their wedding gifts and to use them again!

Riley and Ashley are such cute parents and they have definately received one precious bundle of joy! They are waiting to move to their new home in Queen Creek. I went there with Riley when he planted his winter lawn and got to see the home. I loved it and think it's just perfect for them!

Today Richard went quad riding with Taylor Frost and Jason Payne. I hope to get to talk to him tomorrow and hear all about it. We LOVE each of you so much! Happy Halloween!

BIRTHDAY CHEERS FOR RORY!!!

I loved finding these pictures of Rory and Heather - pre and post children! They are a gorgeous couple - but I think the kids make them even cuter!

When I finally got hold of Rory by phone on his birthday, he told me that they had gone to IHop for breakfast! And while we talked, Heather was making him homemade Chicken and Noodles - his favorite food! A sure gift of love from Heather - since she hates it and thinks we're nuts for loving Ketchup on it! Aurora was trying to talk to me while Rory was talking - but then Alex decided to join in the conversation and I could tell that Rory was being smothered in love!

Rory had been home on vacation for the week prior to his birthday, and he had finished his season as Manager of his department at Charles Schwab. It's so fun to hear about all that he is learning and experiencing there! I'm so proud of you, Rory, and happy that you enjoy and continue to progress in your job! I was reading in my journal about when you worked for Dean Davis - and then when you worked for Clark Tilley. Also, about when your clunker car died and you were stranded and when you worked at the Tempe computer store and were top salesman your first day.

I'll never forget your wedding day and our experience at the San Diego Temple when you were eternally sealed to your best friend and eternal companion Heather! It was no ordinary day - as most people wouldn't want to marry on Friday the 13th - but because of that, the temple was nearly empty - and special care was taken to provide for you two the teachings that you would want to remember all your lives so that you can honor the sacred covenants that you made with your Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for you, my precious son, and know that you are one of God's most choice sons! I thank Him for entrusting you to me for those years that you were in my care - and now He is asking you to care for your 3 precious family members as their protector, provider and Priesthood leader. May this year be one of your best! I love you!

RILEY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY FUN

Riley was the "Super Fun Hero" at his birthday party - with lots of fun pool action for everyone! The rides were high, the pool was like Big Surf, the company was great and I can't remember what we ate - but I do remember that Cheesecake is his favorite, and that's what we ate!

We celebrated a day early because he and Ashley (and the papoose that she is packing inside and front of her) were going backpacking and camping for the next few days. Ryan and Cam were in Hawaii so we had their kids staying with us and it was quite a party! Jacob and Jonique had just moved in also, so the house was full again and full of life!
Riley is such a great blessing to our family! He brought with him from Heaven an incredible peace that permeated our family. When he was little his tummy got upset if we were ever angry at one another or stressed. I am grateful for his "thermometer" of our behaviors! Riley has always been the one to take in any stray or hurting animal - and he does that with people too! I know that he is one of Heavenly Father's special sons and that his kindness will be rewarded in heaven!

I want to thank Heavenly Father for this magestic son - who has so much good in him - and who I am so privileged to be his mother! Riley, I love you so much and am so happy for you and Ashley - that in this (your 32nd year of life) you will be blessed with a baby daughter to love, protect and to teach. This is going to be the greatest year in Riley's life - with his wife to love and a daughter to nurture.