Friday, July 31, 2015

Wedding picture of

Geoffrey Dowdle and Melizza White


James and I watched Lola this morning for about an hour and a half so Trina could get some rest.  Afterwards he took Emmy, Addy, and Rowan with him on a Razr ride to place his wildlife camera.

While James was gone on his Razr ride I went to Walmart with Anna and Jared  I bought mini cupcakes, mini cookies and mini lemon cakes, along with boxed candy and peanut M&M's.

This afternoon we decided to have our tea party.  I had lots of help preparing for it:



 

 

 

 

 

 

Jared even got in on the action

Trina brought the decorations she used

at Ruby's birthday party.

Anna helped the girls "get ready"

I was impressed that Addy and Emmy both

wore their Sunday dresses, and

Ruby and Molly had on princess dresses.

The table looked beautiful!

 

 

Happy Tea Party

These four lovely ladies attended our tea party today

(Just ignore the photo bomber in the background)

James, Rowan, and Anna joined in the fun

 

These beautiful flowers were part of our décor!

Each of the girls got to decorate a purse and hat.

 

 

 

Anna was a huge help!

 

 

 

 

After our tea party some of us played Five Crowns while the movie "Home" was on.  It is a kids movie but Anna loves it so that's why I bought it.  For dinner we had delicious ribs, corn, beans and French bread, all made by Jared.  Thank you Jared!

 

The fireworks show tonight was awesome.  James Hayden was the main pyro.









This was the best firecracker ever!!

 

Back at home we were sorry to miss Joe and Michael's show at Sozo.  We heard it was great!





The Scuba Steve's



Thursday, July 30, 2015

National Cheesecake Day 2

My personal favorite right now:

Lemon meringue cheesecake.

 

Vickie came by this morning for a visit.  Jenifer's daughter Amanda has been here visiting and she took her to the Amtrak train station in Maricopa to catch a train back to Texas.  Vickie was here for a couple of hours.  It was so nice to see her and visit with her.

 

After Vickie said goodbye, I went to the Hobby Lobby in Ahwatukee because I needed one more hat for my tea party.  I also went to Walmart to pick up a prescription and then James and I left for the cabin around 2pm.  Of course we stopped at Burger House for our green chili mixed burros, one for today for each of us and one more for James and one for Jared.  We arrived at the cabin a little after 5.  I knew Trina and her kids wouldn't be here until later this evening.  I didn't think Jared was going to leave El Paso until 6pm so we weren't expecting to see him before midnight, but to our surprise he arrived at 6pm driving a white rented van filled with his kiddos.   It was a pleasant surprise.  James wanted to sleep downstairs and Anna in my office.  I setup the air mattress for Anna and put the new 1600 thread count sheets on for her and she was happy.  Jared and the little girls will be in Sheri and Ian's room.

 

When Trina and her kids got here it was a happy reunion for the cousins.  James and I went to bed around 10pm as did Lola.  Everyone else stayed up until 2am playing games.

Emmy and Molly playing chess

These two were so happy to see each other!

Lola after her bath and ready for bed.

Lola and Addy.

Everyone loves Lola!

Most of the gang pictured here.

I even got Anna in the picture!

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

National Cheesecake Day 1

Looks delicious!

 

Ian's half brother from England and his family have been here visiting.  Sheri, Ian, and the boys absolutely love them.  Ian's brothers name is Michael, his wife is Alyson, their two boys are Eli who is 8 and Fraser who is 5.  Their last name is McMillian.  Alyson has a son Sam who is 13 from a previous marriage who was also here with them.  His last name is Crisp-McMillian.  Here are some pictures:

The cousins, except Fraser who was taking a nap.

That is Mattea in the middle.  She is Sean and Megan's little girl.

Here is a picture of Fraser

Max teaching Eli and Fraser how to play

America football.

Aly, Sheri, Ian, Sean, Betty, Michael

Michael had an amazing story to tell of how he found Betty.  He was visiting the hospital where he was born.  He was told the room where he was born but had to ask permission to go in because there was a woman in the room about to have a baby.  When he walked in, the woman in the room said, "You're Michael."  It was Betty's sister.  I think the Lord may have had a hand in leading him there at that particular time. 

Because he grew up on the streets and had a troubled childhood, he helps guide troubled youth now.  Sheri thinks he is one of the neatest people she has ever met. They would like to move to the states but Alyson share custody with Sam's dad so she can't leave England.

 

Brad MacLay took pictures of our house today and put them on an online MLS listing and then sent us the link so we could look at them.  There are 21 pictures.

 

I went shopping today for Molly's birthday.  I got her the same thing I got Ruby, a twirling Cinderella Barbie, a Cinderella coach, and a Cinderella dress.  I also got her a Cinderella wig. 

 

For dinner James and I had soup and sandwiches. 



 We love this soup!

They sell it at Target.



 

 

 

 



 





Tuesday, July 28, 2015



Pioneers An Anchor For Today

July 2015 Ensign, p. 50

Three ways pioneers can become an anchor for us today:

1.  Remember the Pioneers - Remember the pioneers, their stories, and the sustaining, saving, delivering power of God that came as a result of their faith and hope.

2.  Remember their Unity - The pioneers had a sense of community and mutually shared responsibility which produced a unified effort to follow God's prophet.  That is a major reason the pioneers succeeded as they did, and it is an important part of the legacy they pass to us.

3.  Pass on the Pioneer Spirit - When we consistently exercise faith in the Lord and anchor our souls with hope in Him, we become "sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Ether 12:4).

"Avoiding the temptations and evils of the world requires the faith and fortitude of a real modern-day pioneer." -Elder M. Russell Ballard.

To be a pioneer means that we "be not weary in well-doing" (D&C 64:33).

As we live the gospel, follow the prophet, choose faith over doubt, and do the little things that grow faith and produce soul-anchoring hope, each of us will be a pioneer, preparing the way for others to follow.

 

We picked up Adam for work and on the way over I read from "The Curiosity Keeper."  We also took him home and then stopped at Elmer's to pick up lunch.

We love their strips, cheese, and hot sauce!

I also had a machaca taco

 

After lunch I left for my doctor's appointment with Dr. Allen on Power and Baseline.  He says my hormones look good, but I need more thyroid. 

After my appointment I went shopping for the tea party I am having at the cabin for the girls.  I went to Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  I struck it rich at Hobby Lobby! 

 

This evening Stacy went for a walk with Janny Butler.  I a glad they are good friends.

 

Michael, Joe, and Alex get to meet the guys and "hang out" with the guys from Good Ole War.

A great day for Michael, Alex, and Joe!



 





 



Monday, July 27, 2015



Roxy giving Evan a kiss

Roxy is Alex's pet chinchilla he has had for 9 years.

 

Joshua and Holly

 

I polished the wood floors today before our appointment with Jen MacLay, our realtor. Before I could finish though I had to make a trip to Walmart for more floor polish.  While I was there I saw and spoke to Diana Dowdle, Karen Payne, and Michelle Thompson.

 

The meeting with Jen went well.  She wanted her husband to come and take pictures of the house but I told her we weren't quite ready for that yet.  He is going to come on Thursday.

 

After our meeting with Jen we went out for a late lunch/early dinner at Olive Garden.  FYI, their fried zucchini is not nearly as good as Cheesecake Factory's,  

 

We started a new book this evening, "The Curiosity Keeper" by Sarah E. Ladd.

I love having a husband who enjoys reading my books with me!

 

Kim, Brian, Joe, Alex, and Michael left for L.A. this afternoon.  They are going to a Good Ole War concert.  Michael and Joe got backstage passes for Christmas.  This time they rented a bigger car.

 

This sign went up in our yard today.



   

 

 

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Home Sweet Home

 

 

James said he would help with my Primary lesson today.  Alex looked nice in his Sunday clothes.  Seth looked more like he was prepared to go to church in the country.  We had family prayer and then made our way to the Vernon ward.

 

It was announced that Brother Bruce Tieman passed away and his funeral will be in Phoenix on Friday.  I received my new visiting teaching beat.  Lorraine Tieman is my partner and we are to visit Hailey Chafin, Elida Pope, and Sister Howard.  When I left Vernon seven months ago Hailey and Elida were my visiting teachers.  They live way out the other side of the Stanford store closer to Taylor than to Vernon.

 

Today was Sadie Westbrook's homecoming.  She just returned from her mission to Mexico.  She took most of the time, but the bishop got up after she was finished and said a few words.  I quote:

"You cannot measure the effect of one worthy missionary.

The impact is felt throughout eternity."

I think he was quoting President Hinckley

 

I am glad James was there to help me in Primary.  We ended up teaching two classes.  My class: Ashten Hall, Isabelle Miller, Kasey Westbrook, Braylin Chafin, Talina Singleton, and Zemira Whilem.  We also had the 8 and 9 year olds: Jace Singleton, Curtis Wilhelm, and visitors, Bentley, Jack, and Taylor.

 

We had a little extra time so I asked some of the kids what their favorite foods were.  Isabelle said hers was mussels.  I was quite surprised by that response.  What 9 year old girl likes mussels?

 

Brielle Hunsaker Rohner gave the lesson in Relief Society based on Elder Bednar's talk: "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears."  I visited with Brooklyn Carroll before class.  She is Sadie's niece and best friend.

Brooklyn and Sadie



 

Back at home we had chili for lunch and then played Hearts.  James ran it two or three times and lived up to his bragging about being the champ.

 

On the way back to Chandler we stopped at Monte's and Tasha's to pick up a piano they gave to Sheri.



 



James, Alex, and Seth struggling to get the piano

on the trailer.

I failed to get a picture of the police officer who came

over and helped by picking up one end of the piano and walking

up on the trailer with it. 

He saved the day, and James's back.

 

Monte was in California with the Show Low High School football team for a training camp along with Brian, Harold and Dennis.  Here are the coaches having a little fun.



Can you spot the Maxwell's

 

Home Sweet Home





Saturday, July 25 2015

View from our porch

 

The boys went on an early morning Razr ride with James.  When they returned James made steak, gravy and biscuits for everyone.  This is one of Alex's favorite meals!  I think Seth liked it too but he may have had a difficult time chewing because of his wisdom teeth being pulled this week.

 

I got a call from Becky Skousen this morning asking if I could teach the 9-10 year olds in Primary tomorrow.  I told her I would be glad to so she delivered the manual to me.  The lesson is entitled: "The Triumphal Entry and the Last Supper."

While I was doing the dishes and laundry, the boys and James went to Stanford's store to get gas for the Razr and passion fruit punch sherbet for dessert.  James loves this sherbet as much as I do.

 

This afternoon while sitting on the porch we saw a double rainbow.  It was raining and the sun was shining at the same time.

I posted this picture on Facebook.

When our neighbor Donna Peeler saw it she commented:

"You see everything on your porch."

 

Seth and Alex took a drive to the top of Green's Peak this afternoon.  When James checked his wildlife camera this picture came up:

I call this:

"The gathering of the bulls"

 

The guys went out coyote hunting this evening.  When they returned I fixed pancakes and sausage for dinner. 

 

James and I finished our book "The Tutor's Daughter" today.  I liked the heroine, Emma Smallwood.  She likes to make lists, read, collect books, and write in her journal.  I love these things too!

 

One more picture from our porch.

 

Back at home in Chandler, Michael gets a much needed haircut.  Joe promised he would cut his hair after Michael got his cut.  When we reminded him of this, he said: "I didn't say how long after."  Tricky Joe, tricky.  We were all disappointed, including Amanda.