Thursday, January 2nd, 2025: No hot water on our side of the house, J&K's shower works, J,K,Ch's ride to Greens Peak, Kim finished Stacy's puzzle, Kim's Banana Chai Pecan cake is super delicious! Giving Machines & Snowflake Temple, Kim's Lite Brite

 

Tucson, Arizona

157th operating temple

Dedicated: 13 Aug 2017

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 1:16-2:15

Come Follow Me

Jesus Christ has Restored His Church

October General Conference

'Live Up to Your Privileges'

President Emily Belle Freeman

"If we read D&C section 25 carefully, we discover an important progression taking place. Emma would go from being a daughter in the kingdom to 'elect lady' to queen. Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances, combined with the keeping of her covenant promises, would increase her companionship with the Spirit and with angels, empowering her to navigate her life with divine guidance."

Still no hot water on our side of the house. We have one working shower and it's the one by the rooms where Jared and Kacey are staying. James made another trip to town in an attempt to fix the hot water heater. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie went on a ride to Greens Peak. They found a little snow for Charlie to stand in so they could take a picture. Kim finished Stacy's puzzle so we could take a picture and put it away. She then began making her own birthday cake. It is Banana Chai Pecan. The recipe calls for walnuts but Kim likes pecans better.

I knew Jared & Kacey wanted to go to the Giving Machines. There are two of them in Snowflake and I wasn't sure if they were still open. Online it said they would be open through December 31st. In a letter written to members of our stake by our stake president, Joshua Beeler, the last day is January 2nd. I called my friend Ruth Gale, who lives in Snowflake to ask her. She said when her company left she would walk over and see if they were still there. She texted me later and said they were still there although the barriers had been taken down. I told Jared & Kacey. When they got home from Greens Peak we had some lunch before heading to Snowflake. Brian made pasta e fagioli soup and Kacey and I had some. Very tasty. Thanks Brian.

Around 4:00 Jared, Kacey, Charlie and I jumped in their rental car and headed for Snowflake. When we arrived at the Freeman house in Snowflake we parked and walked over to the machines. The machines are still here, but there is nothing in them so we were not able to buy anything to give to anyone. It felt like a wasted trip until we decided to go to the Snowflake temple grounds. It was a beautiful day, the high around 60 and no wind. We walked around the outside of the temple and took pictures. I felt the Spirit even though we were only on the temple grounds.

I had planned on making chicken tacos today but it was dinner time when we got home and it was too late to start making them. Kacey had leftover potatoes and ham, Jared had a ham sandwich, and Charlie and I had hamburgers with a side of strawberries and applesauce. We had Kim's cake for dessert. It was delicious! I especially loved the roasted pecans.

Kim got a Lite Brite for Christmas from Brian. She and Charlie made Lite Brite pictures most of the evening. They had a great time and it was fun watching them. 

We still have to play the Uzzle game. Hopefully we can do that tomorrow.

Ian and Evan's "Snow" family

I want another piece!

Charlie has the greatest smile!

Green's Peak adventure

Where is Charlie?

"We found a patch of crusty ole snow"

Snowflake

Lite Brite fun with Kim

Wednesday, January 1st, 2025: Happy New Year! A few things from 2024, waffles & strawberries, Peach Bowl: ASU vs. Texas, D's family goes home, Kim & Brian arrive, Tyler Finnegan's mission call

 

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 1:1-15

Come Follow Me

The Restoration began with an answer to a question.

October General Conference

'The Triumph of Hope'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

" To fortify our hope in a time of increasing wickedness, the Lord has directed His prophet to dot the earth with His temples. As we enter the Lord's house, we feel the Spirit of God, verifying our hope. The temple testifies of the empty tomb and that life beyond the veil continues for all. For those who do not have an eternal companion, the ordinances powerfully confirm that every righteous person will receive every promised blessing."

Happy New Year! 2024 was a series of ups and downs. We are grateful for the hand of the Lord in our lives to get us through the hard times. Our God is a god of miracles. Here are a few things that happened in 2024:

* We have two new members of our family, Mason Templeton - Tanner's little boy and Kacey's grandson who was born on May 24th, and Ben's wife Cayli whose birthday is May 23rd. Welcome Mason and Cayli!

* Laura, our sister-in-law, had a lung transplant and now, almost a year later, is doing very well. 

* I lost my aunt Gene this year. She was 96 years old, just a few months younger than James's mom.

* We celebrated our 76th birthdays this year and our 56th wedding anniversary. Our oldest grandchild is 34 and our youngest is 6. We have two great grandchildren,(we claim Kacey's), one is 7 months old and the other, Scarlett, turned 7 in October.

* Sheri, Ian, the boys, and Ian's mom all went on a three week vacation to Europe, Scotland and other beautiful places. Betty, Ian's mom, wanted everyone to see the town where she grew up, Dundee Scotland.

* On Christmas Scarlett held up a sonogram. She is going to get a baby brother or sister sometime near the end of July. Congratulations Autumn, Palmer, and Scarlett!

* James's life was saved because of a blessing given him by Chuck Crane and the skilled hands of a neurosurgeon, David Wilson. He had a subdural hematoma and life saving surgery was required. We are so grateful for all of those who prayed for him and came to visit him. 

I made waffles and strawberries with Cool Whip for breakfast, except for Ben. I made scrambled eggs and toast for him. James was gone to the store to get a new thermal coupler as the other one didn't work. When he returned, he found a harvest nut and grain pancake in the freezer and heated it up. We were well fed before the Peach Bowl game started. Darrel took Ruby out to practice her driving before the game started. Ben and Cayli left for home after breakfast.

Ben & Cayli

Come again soon!

The Peach Bowl started at 11:00. We were ready. Jared used his tablet to make the "sling" connection so Darrel didn't have to give up his phone. We were ready. Jared had on his ASU sweatshirt, I had on an ASU hat which I ended up giving to Darrel, and Kacey and Charlie had on their Texas shirts. 

The first half of the game was pretty boring. The game got really exciting in the second half when Cam Skattebo of ASU began making some amazing plays. My favorite play of the game was when he, as a running back, got the ball and threw a long pass to a receiver who ran for the touchdown. It was so fun to watch. The game was tied at the end of regulation play and went into the first overtime. Each teams gets a chance to score and both teams did, making the score 31-31. The game went in to second overtime with Texas having the ball first. They scored a touchdown and in second overtime you have to go for the two points, which they did, and got them. The score is now 39-31 and ASU has the ball. ASU comes very close, but fails to score. The game is over, Texas wins. You see Skattebo kneeling with his head in his hands.

The one saving factor of the game is that for the first time in 26 years the MVP of the game is on the losing team. Cam Skattebo is the MVP, a well-deserved honor. Sad that ASU didn't win but glad one of the members of their team got recognized for his valiant efforts.

After the game, Darrel and his family packed up and left. Trina washed all of the towels and sheets and put the sheets back on the beds. She cleaned up the kitchen and then while we were watching the game she went for a walk. I gave Darrel my ASU hat. Ruby was wearing it, she is a fan too and watched part of the game with us. Charlie and Lola played games and had a great time. When they played the game of Life, Ruby joined in.

So glad you came!

Kim and Brian arrived this evening. One of the fun parts of the game was that Brian and Paul kept texting Jared about the game. They were a few minutes ahead and so it made it interesting. Stacy said that all of the boys came over to watch the game with Paul and everybody wound up getting sick because Jared Ammon was sick. 

We invited Kim and Brian to eat with us but they had stopped at Sonic. I guess Sonic is the favorite place to stop.

Kacey helped me make the ham and scalloped potatoes. Charlie chose the veggie. I told her we could have green beans, broccoli, or peas. She chose green beans. After the dinner was over I helped a little to clean the kitchen but Jared and James did most of it.

Jared had wanted to watch "Wicked" but Brian laughed, so we never put it on, today, that is. I gave Charlie her little penguin. He is kind of homely and small so I ordered her another cuter girl one. She named this one Fluffy. The Uzzle game is here and I want to play it was Charlie before she leaves.

Tyler Finnegan, a young man from our ward, got his mission call today. He is going to the Seattle Washington mission and reports February 24th. Congratulations Tyler! Right now we have two 

missionaries out in the field, Zemira Wilhelm is in Newport Beach, California and his girlfriend, Jessica Pronger is in Independence, Missouri. Another sister, Abigail Jameson, has her call. She will be going to Sydney, Australia.

Kim and Jared both worked on

Stacy's puzzle. Kim was actually 

the one who finished it.

Stacy's puzzle is finished!

I got the Disney action figures out

and Charlie and I played with them.

Not shown in any of these pictures is the fact that instead of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, I actually have 18 dwarfs.

I love Charlie's eyes in this picture

Charlie loved organizing all of the characters

and lining them up.

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024: Happy 51st Kim, trip to town w/ James, Thermal coupler, Ruby is driving! Trina's cookies, J, K, Ch in Arizona! D's "sling" worked, Bought "Wicked" & watched w/Trina, Horses, Dinner, J,K,Ch here dinner, Lola & Charlie, Fireworks

 

Hartford, Connecticut

155th operating temple

Dedicated: 20 Nov 2016

By: Henry B. Eyring

Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith's Testimony - part 2

Come Follow Me

God loves His children in every nation of the world.

October General Conference

'The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again'

President Russell M. Nelson

Happy 51st Birthday Kim!! I can't wait until you get here.

I offered to make Kim a cake but I think she is going to make her own.

James and I went in town today I needed some groceries and James needed some more cement for the fence posts and a thermal coupler for the hot water heater. When James was finished, at least he thought he was, at Home Depot he came over and helped me finish my shopping. As we were leaving Walmart I asked James if he got the thermal coupler? No, he forgot. As we left the Walmart parking lot he turned left and went passed Home Depot. He was going down the road a ways to the plumbing supply store, only they were closed, se we turned around and went to Lowe's. He bought a thermal coupler  but he isn't sure it will work for our water heater, but he's going to give it a try.

As we turned on to the road that goes past the Hunsaker's we noticed a dark gray Suburban that looked a lot like Trina's Starla, coming towards us. It was Starla and Ruby was driving! Lola texted me to tell me. She was with Ruby and Darrel. Vernon is a good place for Ruby to practice her driving, if you can stand the bumpy roads.

Back at home Trina was making chocolate chip cookies. They smelled and tasted delicious!

Jared, Kacey, and Charlie are in Arizona. They had lunch at Cafe Rio and then went to visit with grandmother and Dawn. Jared texted me when they left the valley around 4:30 so we expect them here around 8. I texted and told them we would have dinner ready for them. Later Kacey said she was grateful for that text because she didn't want to make one more stop. They have been up and traveling since about 3:30 am. 

Darrel & Trina brought chicken thighs to cook and James and I got them the ingredients for the marinade. They were delicious. We also had Busch baked beans, rolls, green beans, and rice pilaf.

Darrel & I tried the whole "slinging" his phone to get the picture on the TV and it worked nicely, so we feel like we are set for the game tomorrow.

I noticed I could buy or ret "Wicked" on Dish on Demand. I decided to buy it because it was only $8 more dollars to buy it. Trina was excited to watch it and Lola and Ruby started out watching it with us until grampa said he was going to go saddle the horses. Away they went outside with grampa and Darrel. A little while later Lola comes in and says, "Apollo tried to buck my dad off and then he tried to bump grampa off." Should I be worried?

After they rode the horses, Ruby and Lola came back in and watched the movie with Trina and me. When it was over I asked them what they thought of the movie. They said they liked it except they didn't think Elphaba should steal Fiero away from Glinda. If you can believe it, they felt sorry for Glinda.

Jared, Kacey, and Charlie arrived a little after 8. Once Charlie warmed up to everyone, she and Lola had a great time playing together. Sometimes Ruby would play with them.

Darrel put on an East coast fireworks show, as it was 9 or so, instead of midnight. It was a lot of fun. Ben & Cayli joined us for dinner and the show.

It's not a birthday cake, but hey,

it's Kim!

Would you two like sparklers?

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Good friends who almost look like sisters

Monday, December 30th, 2024: Michael & Namira leave, Ben & Cayli still here, Darrel, Trina, Ruby & Lola arrive, Lola's markers, They bring fireworks & paper plates

 

Star Valley, Wyoming

154th operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Oct 2016

By: David A. Bednar

Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith's testimony - first half

Come Follow Me

Dec 30-Jan 5

"The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" - Introduction

October General Conference

'The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again'

President Russell M. Nelson

"Regular worship in the temple will prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord's strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world."

Michael and Namira left for home around noon. We are grateful for Michael's help and always enjoy his company.

I told Tom the doggies were all gone and he could go out and sleep on his chair but he was still a little wary. He could hear Ben & Cayli walking around upstairs and that scared him.

When James and I left for the valley on the 22nd, Kathy Crane had pneumonia. Now she is feeling better but Chuck has an even worse case than Kathy did. James offered to go to the dump for him today and Chuck was most grateful.

Trina texted me this morning and asked if I wanted them to bring anything up when they came. I responded with, "Are you coming up today?" Trina: "Oh, Darrel told me he asked you. I'm sorry, we don't have to." Me: "Please don't feel bad, you guys are the best! Please come! I just remember Darrel saying you might come up. I am pleasantly surprised that you are!" Trina: "It's just 4 of us, Addy and Ro are staying home. Can we bring you anything?" Me: "Could you bring fireworks and paper plates? Did I mention that Ben & Cayli are here? They will be your neighbors. Your room is ready and so is my office. Waiting for sheets to dry for James's office." Trina: "Oh shoot. Are they okay with us coming? I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you washed all the sheets, so much work for you." Me: "Ben and Cayli were happy that you were coming!" Trina: "Thank you, that's very sweet."

When I was working upstairs in James's office I heard Ben in the bathroom on that end of the house, which means the water in his and Cayli's bathroom is not hot. I told James and he lit the water heater we are having trouble with, that four bathrooms are connected to. The other hot water heater has the one bathroom upstairs, the laundry room and the kitchen.

When Darrel & Trina arrived I told them about the problem with the hot water heater. They didn't seem too concerned as long as the other water heater was working.

It was 7:30 when Darrel, Trina, Ruby, and Lola got here. It was a fun evening just relaxing with them. They had dinner at Sonic in Show Low so they weren't hungry.

Darrel and I were talking about the ASU vs. Texas game on New Year's Day at the Peach Bowl. I asked him what channel it was on and he said ESPN. I told him I didn't have ESPN so we tried to figure out what we needed to do to watch the game. Darrel said he has Hulu Live and he could "sling" it on to our TV from his phone. It's amazing what you can do now days. I told him we needed to try it tomorrow to make sure it works. He agreed.

Lola showed us her container of alcohol blending markers that she got for Christmas. There are 168 of them. Are there that many different colors? I showed her and Ruby my nail drying machine and all of the nail stuff I got from great grandmother for Christmas. They seemed to really like everything so I told them they could have everything since I don't ever do my nails. They seemed excited.

Darrel & Trina spent $35 on fireworks and a pretty big chunk of chain for the big stack of paper plates they bought. I tried to pay them, but they wouldn't let me. 

Darrel, Trina, Ruby, and Lola were playing a game when James and I went to bed.

I think this was a video but I can't remember

what Charlie was saying. I want to say to her:

"We are so excited to see you Charlie and

can't wait until you get here!"

 

Dan Marjele & KJ Johnson,

my two all-time favorite Sun's players.

1992

Trina asked how the off-grid family was doing on

building their house so we watched their YouTube

channel. I couldn't help snapping this picture.

Look at their cat...he looks just like Tom!

Lola's markers

Sunday, December 29th, 2024: Warm shower, Re-lite water heater, Paul, Joshua, Stacy attend sacrament mtg, Michael brought clothes but didn't come, S,P, J, A, S,S,V leave, so do Rowan & friends,

 

Ft. Collins, Colorado

153rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Oct 2016

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Book of Mormon

3 witnesses & 8 witnesses

Come Follow Me

The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, part 2

October General Conference

'Focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel'

Elder I. Raymond Egbo

"For parents with children who have strayed, take heart! Instead of wondering why an angel does not come to help your child repent, know that the Lord has placed a mortal angel in hir or her path: the bishop, another Church leader, or a ministering brother or sister. If you keep fasting and praying, if you do not set a timetable or a deadline for God, and if you trust that He is stretching forth His hand to help, then - sooner or later - you find God touching the heart of your child when your child chooses to listen. This is so because Christ is joy - Christ is hope; He is the promise 'of good things to come.' So trust Jesus Christ with you child, for He is the strength of every parent and every child."

I took a warm shower this morning before church. I told James the water wasn't hot. He had to go downstairs again to light the pilot so anyone else on this side of the house could take a shower. Rowan, Grahm, Tannen, and Michael are at the other end of the house and their bathroom is on the other hot water heater.

Stacy, Paul, and Joshua joined us for sacrament meeting. We sat in the back behind Brother Hipps and in front of T-Bo.

Todd & Jessica Crane along with their sons Stefan and Nathan spoke in sacrament meeting. Although they have been in the ward a couple of years this is the first time I have heard them speak in sacrament meeting.

Stacy, Paul, and Joshua left after sacrament meeting. For the next hour we moved up front behind the Wilhelm's. I saw Trenda for a minute before she took her baby out. She said she would be back, but she never did make it. Talon and his baby and wife are here visiting from Washington. It was nice to see them.

Collin DeWitt, the ward mission leader, was the presenter today for our second hour, 5th week discussion. His presentation about how to Love-Share-Invite in doing missionary work was very good. I shared what I said to Dr. Gerber in the Show Low ER when he was apologizing to me for giving me bad news about James. I basically shared my testimony of our faith in the Lord and accepting His will.

James said he had to meet with a couple of people about ministering after the meeting so I went out to the car. On the way out Amy Reynolds and Cheryl Sedig were talking about the nice weather and their concern if we didn't get some moisture soon. Our fire hazard this summer will be high if the rain and snow doesn't come.

Rowan and his friends were the first to leave today. 

When we got home Stacy, Paul, Joshua, and Alayna were preparing to leave. Stacy washed the sheets on the bed downstairs and put them back on the bed, which I very much appreciate. She also washed their towels, and Paul cleaned the basement bathroom and the hall bathroom. Stacy ran the sweeper throughout the house.

Stacy is still working on the puzzle Alayna's mother gave her. She wanted to finish it before she left but she ran out of time. She didn't want to put it away so she left it out for Kim to finish.

We said our goodbye's early this afternoon.

Michael and Namira didn't go home until tomorrow

Alayna looks a little sad because she didn't get a dog to hold.

Michael stayed and Ben and Cayli are still here too.

James and I went for a ride this afternoon to find the address of a guy James is going to bid some work for. The address is 40 N8172. The 800 numbers are off of Stanford road but we couldn't find 8172 as the numbers skip around. I told James he needed to call the guy and get specific directions. Even though we weren't successful, it made for a nice Sunday afternoon ride.

Ben, Cayli, and Michael were watching something on the television when we went to bed.

Antelope are my favorite

My two sleepy boys