Friday, January 15, 2016

The Provo City Center temple open house starts today.

James and I read 1 Nephi 12:11-13:9.  How sad for Nephi to see the destruction of his people.  I also read some articles in the Ensign.  One article was written by Howard W. Hunter's son about his dad.  President Hunter is the prophet we are studying this year in Relief Society/Priesthood.  I love reading about what a kind man President Hunter was.

I just got a text from Carmen.  They are at Forest Lakes.  That is our cue to get ready to go meet them at the Home Depot in Show Low.  We gave them coats, hats, and gloves and they brought us our new radiator which we immediately took to Richardson's Garage. (I believe in a previous post I called it Richard's, but when I actually went there I noticed it was Richardson's.) 

The day was cold and overcast, not a great day for James's sisters to go skiing.  Carmen and Rebecca are helping Dawn fulfill one of the items on her bucket list, skiing.  

James and I got lunch at Panda and headed for home.  Soon it began to snow.  

I was busy cleaning upstairs when James told me that the car was ready.  I ask if I could please finish upstairs before we left to get it.  I did everything that needed to be done except polish the wood floor.  When I got home from Lakeside I finished the floor just before our company arrived! 

Getting to Lakeside wasn't a problem, but driving back to Vernon, we drove in blizzard conditions. I got behind a lady weaving all over the road and was grateful when I finally got to pass her.  It is so great to have Lexy back!

  James waited for his sisters at the church.  They left the ski run early because of the weather and are coming from Springerville.  Dawn said there was no snow in Springerville, which was crazy!  

I was worried about Dawn's little car making it up the hill to our house, but it did!

Lois sent lasagna and a lava cake.  I had some Texas toast and Kim and Brian stopped at Safeway and got us some stuff for a salad.  We had a nice dinner.  

Kim and Brian rented an SUV because they weren't sure that Chloe would make it.  I am glad they did.

Lexy looks so cold!

James, Carmen, Rebecca and I played Five Crowns.  

 Dawn, Carmen, and Rebecca

Kim and Brian

So glad they all came to visit!

I love this post about Evan:

 

  

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Friends from Chandler who moved to Utah
 Recently we go to see them at Marisa Ellsworth's wedding.

For gospel study James and I read 1 Nephi 11:31-12:10.  I read an article in the January Ensign entitled: "By Small and Simple Blogs" about sharing our testimonies on social media.  I also read general conference articles by Elder Andersen and Elder Holland.  

I finished sweeping, cleaning, and polishing the wood floors today, except for the ones upstairs.  We are expecting Kim and Brian and Carmen, Dawn, and Rebecca this weekend.  I also changed sheets on all the upstairs beds

The chicken marsala recipe I made for dinner was kind of gross.  Next time I am going to try Olive Garden's recipe.  

Sheri, Ian, Alex, and Ben plan to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon this summer and camp at the bottom.  Sheri wants us to come and watch Evan.  Max will be at scout camp in San Diego.

Watched the movie "Love Is Complicated."

Joe performed at Sozo tonight as Super Motel.  Thanks Kim for the picture.

Sorry I couldn't be there.

Love this picture that someone posted on Facebook.

 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Words to live by.

Sunrise in Vernon

 Gary and Gailene Butler on their wedding day.

One one of my trips to the bathroom during the night I heard a funny clicking noise.  My first thought was, something's wrong with the well, I should probably wake James up and tell him.  I didn't do it because I was tired and also because I didn't want to disturb him.  

When I woke up around 6am James was already up.  Normally I get up before he does.  When he came back in the bedroom, he said we had no water and he couldn't fix it.  He came in, looked at some instruction papers, and went back out.  When he came back in he said we had water, and something about the faucet freezing up.  Thank goodness he didn't give up and was able to solve the problem.  I am so grateful!

I finished working in the basement and got things pretty organized.  For dinner I made a yummy taco casserole.  

James went down to the church to get the key so we can clean the building on Saturday.  We watched the movie "The Memory Book" when he returned.  

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The Wanlass family

Megan, Taylor who just returned from his mission,

Ian, Brayden, Christy, and Eric

Eric is now the bisop of the Galveston 3rd ward.

I read two general conference talks this morning.  The first was: "Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ", by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  Elder Oaks says: "Becuase of His Atonement, the Savior has the power to succor - to help - every mortal pain and affliction."

The second talk was by Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Faith Is Not by Chance, But By Choice."

James went back into town today to get the radiator Erik ordered for us.  It wasn't at Autozone, but at O'Reilly's Auto.  He too it to Richard's Automotive in Lakeside, the place where Lexy is being fixed.  He dropped it off and left.  A couple of hours later the guy from Richard's called and said it was not the right radiator and that it wasn't going to fit.  James called Erik and he said the guy told him they don't make the original anymore and this is the replacement.  Evidentally that wasn't the truth.  Richard said he could order one from Lexus for $550.  Erik says he can get it for us for $350, so we are having Erik order it.  The trick is getting it up here.  

James helped me finish cleaning downstairs in preparation for Kim and Brian coming this weekend.  He hung the curtains on the new curtain rod and put up the plastic shower curtain liner and cleaned out the bathtub.

I got all the Christmas stuff put away except for the manta garland and the tree.  They stay up until next week after Kim and Brian leave.

Tonight James and I watched "October Kiss".  Sam Jaeger from Parenthood is the male lead.  It was a good one!

I had to post these action pictures I found of Darrel & Trina's kids:

Addy snowboarding last year at Sunrise.

Rowan looks like he's having fun!

Ruby riding the bicycle she got for her birthday.

Little Miss Lola 

Monday, January 11, 2016

Peter Ray and family

Today was a beautiful foggy morning with frosty trees.

James made steak and gravy for breakfast.  We pray and study the Book of Mormon together.  Could the day get any better?

James and I made a trip to town to pick up a radiator that Erik ordered for us from Autozone, only to find out that it won't be in until tomorrow.  The trip wasn't a total waste.  We went to Sonic and got cheeseburgers.  We came home and watched a Hallmark movie called" Candles On Bay Street".

James went upstairs to work on taxes and I worked downstairs organizing Christmas storage and then came upstairs and ate some of the beans I put on this morning.  They turned out pretty good!

For F.H.E. James and I read the second lesson from the Howard W. Hunter manual, entitled: "My Peace I Give Unto You."

 I also finished reading "Jesus the Christ"!

We watched "Murder She Baked, A Peach Cobble Mystery", starring Allison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison.  It was a good one.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Patrick and Heather Lambson family

I was up early to type James's quotes for his lesson and to finish preparing for my lesson on Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem.  We also left early so I could set up my room before sacrament meeting.  Ty Applegate was the youth speaker in sacrament meet ing today.  Tyler Hunsaker, who leaves for the MTC this coming Wednesday spoke and Elida Pope who is a convert also spoke.  It was a great meeting.  Elida told about her conversion and it was amazing!  She has such a sweet spirit about her. 

Tyler and his dad at the Snowflake temple

Today Zemira, Curtis, and Braylin were the only ones in my Primary class.  Virginia Chaffin gave sharing time today.  It was on nibbling and feasting on the scriptures.  First she let the kids each have one small cracker and then she had a table set up in the back with fruits, cheeses, and crackers where they could feast.  It was a great sharing time.  The kids were so quiet, especially when they were feasting.

For lunch James and I had bean with bacon soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.  James built a fire and I took a nap on the recliner.  When I woke up it was snowing outside.  I love the snow!

This afternoon I did some planning and blog catchup.  

Sheri asks for my french toast and friend chicken recipe.  

I also read from Jesus the Christ.  I have two more chapters before I am finished.  

We watched, "Lucky in Love".

 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

The Whalens:
Curtis, Hillary, Eden (8), Ava(7), Ivy(5), Elle(2), and Brady(9 mo.)
Our Chandler friends who have now moved to Gilbert.

I left to get my purse and pickup Carmen around 8am this morning. James went earlier and filled my car up with gas.  After picking up Carmen she and I went to Sheri's to drop off Carmen's Christmas gifts to Sheri, Kim, Stacy, and Darrel.  I took Jared's and told her I would mail it to him.  

 Carmen made a large one for all of her brothers and sisters,

and small ones for all of her nieces and nephews.

She is very talented!

We picked up Cathi and headed to Signature Nails on Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo to get pedicures.  This is my gift to both Cathi and Carmen for their birthdays.  We all chose purple polish!

I am the one with the crinkled toes.

I also gave Carmen her Christmas calendar.

When we get back to Cathi's, James has his suitcases sitting in the driveway and he's bringing mine out.  I guess he is ready to go home.

We say our goodbye's and we are on our way.  I didn't need to take Carmen back to her mom's because she is going to the rock show at MCC with Cathi, Terry, and Nathan.

James and I stop at Bass Pro Shop.  The first thing we do is have lunch at the restaurant, Islamorada's.  Afterwards James buys a hunting license and we are on our way home, going through Payson.

This is why we didn't come through Salt River canyon.

The trees on the rim are gorgeous and so full of snow!  We took lots of pictures.  I will share a few.

The clouds make the scene even more beautiful

It was definitely a Winter Wonderland

As we are driving along we notice that the heater has stopped working.  I think I see smoke coming out from under the hood and James sees a huge trail of smoking behind us.  He immediately stops the car.  As he is looking under the hood a border patrol agent stops and tries to help.  They determine that the radiator has a hole in it and that water will do no good.  James calls our insurance and arranges for a tow truck and the border patrol agent calls a highway patrolman to come and pick us up.  I call Harold & Vickie and arrange for them to pick us up at The Red Onion restaurant in Heber.  Harold, Vickie, and I all order green chili cheeseburgers.  They are delicious!

When the tow truck driver gets here we take him back to where the car is and then Harold and Vickie take us home.  The tow truck is taking Lexy to Richard's Automotive in Lakeside.  We are so grateful to have family close by that are willing to help!

Once James and I get settled in we watched a Hallmark movie starring Luke Perry, "Love in Paradise."