Friday, July 18, 2014

I love this quote so I'm using it as my thought for the day.

It's always nice to have James home.  He went down this morning and tried to light the hot water heater but it wouldn't stay lit so I went upstairs to take a shower.  

James's main focus today was to get the bill ready for Hatch Hanger so we can collect some money.  It took most of the day.  He got it emailed late in the day which probably means we won't get paid until next week.  

James went downstairs this afternoon and tore out the drywall in the hot water heater room ceiling where the paint was bubbled up to try and find the leak but he didn't have any luck.  There is no leaking in our bathtub or shower.  Now he thinks maybe the water came in when it rained.  Why is it so difficult to solve this problem.  He also thinks the hot water heater is totally unrelated to the leak.  I don't know what to think.  We also found more water in the years supply room closet.  We had to pull up the carpet and put a fan and a heater to dry everything out.  Also James said he vacuumed a ton of water out of the pad.  There was also some water in the closet off the downstairs bathroom.  I cleaned out all the wet boxes and threw them outside.  Later James took them out to burn them along with some brush he was burning.

James made us steak and broccoli for lunch using the leftovers in our refrigerator.  We sat out on the porch and read from Blackmore and watched the clouds build up and the hummingbirds fight over the feeder.

Sheri called this afternoon.  The side fence of their backyard came down today.  The surveyors will pay to build her a new one.  Someone is building next to them and discovered the fence was actually on their property.  How sad.

This sounds much worse than our fire.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

"Inasmuch as the trend in society today is rapidly moving away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, we will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which we believe.  Will we have the courage to do so?"

-President Thomas S. Monson

James crew poured again around 1:30 this morning at
the Chandler Airport on the Hatch Hanger job.

Joshua and I took Stacy on a Razr ride today.  Joshua has on his new helmet.  We took the 61 up to Christmas Tree Trail and then headed back down the mountain on the 404.  They are already starting to clear out trees that burned close to the road.  One of the things Stacy wanted to see while she was here was an elk.  She told Joshua how whenever we came to the mountains her dad (grandpa) would always have the kids look for elk and deer and would offer them a prize if they found any.  Sadly an elk ran across the road in front of us about 50 yards away and she missed it.  She was so disappointed.  She also wanted to see some clouds and she wasn't disappointed!

 Sometimes the clouds seen so close you

almost think you could reach out and touch them.

After our ride Stacy came home and took a nap. 

While Stacy was sleeping Joshua and I took pictures of some of the things he enjoyed doing while he was here.  He played Hedbanz with the Trezise boys and then again with his mom.

Max, Evan and Joshua played a game where they took one of the balloons from Boom, Boom, Balloon and dropped it from upstairs and then they tried to run downstairs and catch it before it touched the ground.

This time Joshua isn't running, he's just watching the balloon fall.

 I guess Joshua isn't going to make it to meet the teacher which starts at 4.  He has the same teacher as last year so he will be fine.

Stacy and Joshua followed me into Show Low on their way home and we stopped at LaCasita for lunch.  I had my usual,  chicken enchilada with green sauce and refried beans.  

 Stacy and Paul are keeping Tara's car.  She has gotten married and

moved to London.  

I am glad Stacy got to come up.  She hasn't been here for 3 years.  I think she had a good time although she was here less than 24 hours.  I know I enjoyed having her here.

On my way back home a truck was going too fast on the dirt road and flipped a rock on my windshield and left a crack.  I am so sad.  Poor Lexy.

In other news the Crane's killed a rattlesnake in their garden today.  I guess we need to be more careful when we go outside, especially when the grand kids are here.

I watched the top 18 perform on So You Think You Can Dance.  I liked Jacque and Zack's hiphop and Emilio and Bridget's dance to "Happy" which was choreographed by Anya and Pasha.

James got home around 9:30.  He was pulling a tractor up so it was slow going.  We watched Rizzoli & Isles and decided we weren't going to tape it anymore because it's too liberal and a little bloody and violent.

Only one shower in our house works right now.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith.  And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life.  And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son.  And even all this can ye do if ye will.  Amen.

-Alma 33:23

Can you find the three black birds?

 Joshua and I went to chocolate lake this morning.  Alex caught a fish there on Saturday which is amazing because there is so little water in it right now.  On the way home Joshua spotted a jack rabbit and we had fun chasing him for awhile.  

Back at home Joshua watches TV and eats soda crackers and drinks pink lemonade while I try to clean.  I swept and mopped the kitchen after doing the dishes and wiping down all the counters and the stove.  I vacuumed the family room and our bedroom, swept and mopped the hall, bath, laundry room and entryway and then I swept and polished the wood floors.  

 James got up in the middle of the night with his crew and

poured this concrete at the Chandler Airport.

Joshua and I made a trip into town this afternoon to get a helmet for him to wear when he's riding on the Razr.  

Joshua's new helmet for the Razr.  His favorite color is red.

We also washed my car but because of all the rain we have had it got muddy on the way home.  

Stacy called and said she was coming into Vernon but wasn't sure she could find her way to our place so Joshua and I hopped on the Razr to meet her.  The funny thing is we missed her when she went on  N3465 instead of N3466.  She also turned in at Pierre's, but when finally  brought her home.  

While I went to Mutual Stacy and Joshua had Arby's for dinner, courtesy of Stacy.  Tonight at Mutual the young women worked on Personal Progress, Choice & Accountability value experiences 1&2.  Kilee Hunsaker is my Mia Maid class president.  I gave her the assignment to call Hope, Maddie, and Kelly and remind them to bring their Personal Progress books and their For the Strength of Youth books.  She reported that she tried texting all of them but got no response.  Next time I need to remember to emphasize the word call.

Watched part of Despicable Me 2 with Stacy and Joshua until Joshua and I got so tired we had to go to bed.

Facebook finds:

 Ben at Big Surf.

Max and Evan got school haircuts today.

Adorable cheeks on two adorable girls!

 

 

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

I like this idea and I have a very pleasant

career: I'm a Mom, Grandma and Wife!

 The Castle

The Princess Lola

Sheri is so faithful about running.  She runs in the heat in the valley and when it looks like rain up here.  I wish I had her dedication.

  Can you see the antelope in these pictures?  This is in downtown Vernon across from the post office.  Sheri took both of these pictures when she and I went to Standford Store to get gas for the Razr.

 

Ian, Sheri, and I drove up to Buckelew Springs on the Razr to see if the falls were running.  It looked like they had been, maybe yesterday, but today they were not.

Taken by Buckelew Springs

Stacy called and asked if Joshua could come home with Sheri and Ian.  Joshua didn't seem to like that idea so I had him call her.  He reminded her that she promised to come and get him, so she agreed that she would come on Wednesday afternoon.

 

We played one last game of Hearts.  Sheri was ahead the first few rounds and even bragged about it on Facebook, but she ended up losing because Ben ran it.  I had 99 points.  

 

Ian took the boys up to the Pit and the Swing.  When Joshua came back he said it was the best day of his life and then he said: "That's a little dangerous though."  While they were gone James called me and asked me to go down and check the hot water heater.  As soon as I opened the basement door I knew we had a flood because I could smell wet cardboard.  I have Christmas decorations stored in the hot water heater room and all the boxes on the floor were soaked.  Ian noticed the ceiling when he got home.  So maybe the leak is coming from somewhere besides the water heater.

We are thinking maybe it's our whirlpool bath tub that is leaking.

I drive to Home Depot to get a wet vac.  When I get back Sheri vacuums up all the water and helps me move the boxes, etc.  I was very grateful to her.  

Once we get things semi under control downstairs Sheri, Ian, Ben, Max, and Evan leave for home.  Joshua is happy to stay without his buddies.

It was a great few days with this fun family,

and Joshua too!

This evening Joshua and I took a Razr ride to town to see if we could see the antelope.  I guess Sheri and I scared them away earlier today.  I did get this picture of the sunset though.

 My friend Lynda Tanner, who was a horse trainer for many years posted this picture on Facebook and I couldn't resist.

Pretty in pink.  It keeps the flies and 

gnats away.

Monday, July 14, 2014

James and Alex got up early to go coyote hunting.  They were back by breakfast time.  I made good on my promise to the boys and made them some of my homemade french toast along with sausage, and turkey bacon.  

When I took my shower this morning I had mildly warm water and Sheri said she didn't have any hot water either.  Before James left for the valley he checked the downstairs hot water heater and found the pilot to be off, so he lit it.  He told me to keep at eye on it and make sure the leak didn't get any worse.  There was some standing water in the bowl at the bottom of the water heater.

I called Stacy and asked if she wanted Joshua to come home with James and she said no, she was coming up.  Alex did come home with him though. 

Ben had been taking the boys on Razr rides since they got here, but he may not be doing it anymore.  When they got back this morning Sheri and I asked Evan if he had fun.  This was his reply:  "Not that much.  Ben tipped the Razr over and we couldn't get it back up until some guy with a mustache and gray hair (Chuck Crane)  helped us. Ben was so upset he was outside and wouldn't come in until Sheri went out to talk to him.  Evan said he was trying to dodge a rock when it flipped.  Luckily none of the boys were hurt.

Sheri did my new Princess puzzle that Kim got me two times.

She is good. 

  It rained alot today.  We should have gone up to check Buckelew Springs.  Ian cooked steaks for dinner.  We also had broccoli which is Joshua's favorite vegetable.

Ian and Sheri went on a short Razr ride this evening and saw lots of elk down on the corner.   

This evening we all watched Master Chef together.  I was surprised these three were so interested.  I guess it's one of Evan's favorite shows.

 Lots of legs and feet. 

Here they are again.

Darrel is taking his pharmacy licensing exam tomorrow so he asked James to give him a blessing.  

After the blessing he took Addy on a date to Golden Corral.  

Addy's menu tonight consisted of pizza, mac and cheese, and several servings of her favorite food, jello.

James sent me this picture taken in Mesa.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

James left early this morning for his high council meeting in my car.  I was up studying and preparing for my young women's lesson on why we need temple ordinances.  Sheri helped me prepare my handouts and she gave Joshua a bath with her boys.  When James returned he made sure Joshua had breakfast, was dressed and had his hair combed.  The Trezise's left for church before we did and saved us a row right in the middle of the chapel.  I guess Judy Hunter thought she had saved the row with her purse but Sheri and Ian didn't even see it.  When Ian tried to apologize she just glared at him.  She was afraid she wouldn't have anyone to sit by that she knew but she sat right in front of us with Paula Johnson.

Today was Aaron Windsor's farewell and the first time Bishop Hall has been here since the end of May.  Aaron spoke on the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement.  He was very emotional when he spoke about the Savior and he is so excited to be able to share his testimony with others as he has the opportunity to spread the gospel.

This is Aaron at work.  He is a cook at Pizza Hut.

  Brother Brimhall, one of James's friends on the high council was the other speaker.  He spoke on a talk given by Julie B. Beck that was published in the March 2011 Ensign. The talk is entitled "The Doctrine of the Family".  Sister Beck encourages families to be "Brilliant in the Basics."

Joshua went back to the cabin with the Trezise's after saca. rament meeting.  James attended a youth Sunday School class.  I was glad to have Brother Wilhelm back as our gospel doctrine teacher.  The lesson today was on David & Bathsheba.  My lesson in Young Women's went well.  I gave the following 4-page handout for the girls to work on and challenged them to do Virtue value experience #3 in their Personal Progress books.  I told them if they filled out the handout and did the value experience I would have a prize for both accomplishments.  

We saw these elk near the Hunsaker's after church today.  There were several cows and 12 calves.  No bulls according to James.  I was the first one to see them.

Sheri spent the afternoon watching Harry Potter movies. She did make us some delicious BBQ pork for dinner.  We played Hearts and she ran them.  We had FHE.  The title was: Don't Get Mixed Up.  James was in charge of the object demo that went with this lesson.

Greg Hatch's family posted this picture from

Newport Beach, California

Saturday, July 12, 2014

"The essential doctrine of uniting families came forth line upon line and precept upon precept.  Vicarious ordinances are at the heart of welding together eternal families, connecting roots to branches."

-Elder Quentin L. Cook

 Scenic Drive

This first thing James wanted to do this morning was read from our book Blackmoore outside on the porch.

 One of our favorite things to do.

 Another favorite thing to do is watch the clouds roll in.

After reading I made a trip into town to get some ribs to fix for dinner.  Sheri and Ian are coming up and Ian loves ribs.  So does Alex.  I got both beef and pork and I am trying a recipe I got from LDS Living magazine.  I put the rub on the three racks of ribs and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  I then made some BBQ sauce and let it simmer on the stove for a couple of hours.  Onions is one of the ingredients for the sauce.  James was nice enough to chop them for me.  I brought Little Caesar's home for the boys for lunch.

James, Max, Joshua, and Evan took a Razr ride up on the mountain to Gillespie Flat. 

Love my Razr

 I was sad when I saw the burned trees.  We got stopped by a women forest ranger informing us that the kids needed helmets on.  Well that's a new rule or at least we've never been told that before. 

Ben, Max, Evan and Joshua played Hedbanz.  It's a fun game.

The ribs went in the oven for 3 hours at 300 degrees.  When Ian and Sheri and Alex got here we had them for dinner.  They were delicious but could have been a little more tender.  Next time I am going to cook them longer at a lower temperature.  We broiled them with the sauce on instead of using the grill because it was raining outside.  

James was so nice to clean the kitchen.  I helped a little.

 Not sure if this is the moon or the sun,
but I'm thinking now that it's the sun.