These are the wonderful Elders in our Ward.  They came knocking at the door and Grandpa let them in this mess....how embarassing.  We had a lovely visit with them and they shared their message about the "true" meaning of Christmas - they did a beautiful job!  

BURRRRRRRZY - just a little "skiff" of snow.

 Jared says that we just need about 3 more feet ------

 Whoa---moved everything out of Aunt Natalie's and Aunt Carrie's rooms. It wouldn't have been so bad except they had become the storage rooms for much of the rest of the house.  Those rooms are now put back together again with new carpet.

 In the process.......

Somewhat eventful week - It started off with cooking oatmeal on the washer.  The cord on the saucepan wasn't long enough to reach any outlets from the table we've been using for a "kitchen." 

 Since we were installing cabinets in the kitchen area, we moved the "table kitchen" into the laundry room.  A little crowded, but  - oh, well...

 Cabinets are all installed---YEA.  This crown molding looks really nice - Grandpa did a great job!

We had gone to Mesa to pick-up the vanity sinks for the downstairs bathroom and arranged for the countertops to be installed while we were gone.  Here is our first look.....

Baking center - all done!  Things don't quite fit like they used to - the Nitri-Mill is too wide to fit in the appliance garage and too tall to fit in a drawer....I guess it will just have to be on the countertop.  

We were so happy to find the box that had been packed with the "grands" photos.  Getting closer and closer to feeling like home again.  We actually ate breakfast here this morning...

Progress on the kitchen is so exciting.  

Grandpa and Harry are cutting out the openings for the microwave - YIKES!  

 Downstairs bookshelves - they look great - Uncle Mike thinks they look really nice and wonders just how big a TV we can fit in there....hee hee...(fairly good sized one for the boys to watch the games on, I would think...)  But, first we've got to figure out how to get an electrical outlet in the opening---oooopppppsssss...

 Lower cabinets in the baking center - we have to wait for the countertops to be installed because these have "appliance garages" above...

 Microwave up - stove area ready and refrigerator area ready.....

 "sink wall" - hopefully, this week we can get a sink and stove up and working - boy, the pressure is on now - hope I can remember how to cook....

Family Home Evening with the grands.  We don't get to do this very often, so took advantage - Picked-up Cafe' Rio and then went to see the Temple lights.  So beautiful!

Ellie, Ella, Jade, Haylee, Naia and little McKinley..

 Haylee, Naia, McKinley, Jade, Ellie and Ella.

 The Nativity scene at the Snowflake Temple always makes me smile.

 Progress on the house---it's still getting worse....Grandpa and Harry fixing drywall.

 The cabinets have arrived - of course on the only day of rain in months....oh, well.  Put down a bunch of rugs and hoped for the best.

 Bad photos because there is no light anywhere - boxes staked to the ceiling in the dining room...

Grandpa promises me that it's someday going to be a kitchen...for now, I'm thinking about giving up cooking for a few days....My "fancy-dancy"(temporary) kitchen is gone now, too.  Catch that "photo bomber" microwave on the piano bench in the background - that's all for now.  

YEA!  Shelves back in the storage room...and new tile on the floor...making progress is so great!  Waiting on the painters now...

 Thanksgiving was a "tad" different this year....since we have no kitchen (and no bedrooms, bathrooms, etc...) we had the celebration in Mesa with the girls...it was great..It started with breakfast at Nat's - delicious cinnamon rolls, eggs, fruit and the company of these cuties...Ellie, McKinley and Haylee - and opf course their parents....

 Dave cooked the turkey - sure wish the photo of that had turned out better - blurry to say the least...He injected the bird with butter and herbs and cooked it in a wonderful old roaster that his dad had given him.  I'll bet that thing is at least 100 years old - they don't make 'em like they used to...It was so GOOD!  And here are Tarrik and Tonya making the delish punch....

 Happy Thanksgiving, Tucker....Ellie, Naia, Haylee, Ella and Trinley...

 Jade, Tarrik, Talya and Tyanne....

 Grandpa, Uncle Jared and Uncle Dave - talking hunting - (Jared's Elk Hunt Starts in the A.M.)

 Jade, McKinley and Tyanne...

 McKinley grabbed on to this rope and we practically had to pry her little hands off before she would let go.  Strong baby...

Great Thanksgiving Day - Family, Food and Fun....

Genet and her daughters Meskerem, Kalkidan, Mekdes and Edelawit.  Mother and two daughters are very new members of the Church.  We are now praying for Genet to be able to find work to support her family.  She has 12 years experience in accounting.  We are so happy for this beautiful family in Ethiopia.  

 A wonderful Sunday in the Debre Zeyit Branch with Elder Stanley G. Ellis and his wife visiting.
Tucker is standing next to the tall fellow in the middle right.  He has a great big smile!  YEA!!

(We totally swiped these photos from Sister Wold's blog - she is so wonderful about sharing!)

We finally got our photo from the Phoenix Temple Openhouse.  What a beautiful Temple.  We are so happy for the folks in the Temple District and for the blessing this will be for them!

Progress.....in the office - spread a little glue...

 First carpet going down...

 Last carpet going down...

 Move furniture back in...and wall-aw - office - put back together again....

 Watching the game ASU and ?

 Jade and Tyanne making brownies....yummmm

 Haylee loves to swing.

 Naia, Ella and Talya

 Mr. Man "Tarrik"  (maybe a little drool happening...)

 The trees on the street going up to the Temple are really pretty this year.

 Wow-----This seemed like an odd time of year for fog on the Rim..but, here you go.

 Ellie's special baptism day - such a lovely day...Natalie and Jared, McKinley, Haylee and Ellie..

 Jared and Ellie...

 Ellie with Grandpa and Grandma...

 Natalie and Ellie...

 The Cousins- Tyanne, McKinley, Jade, Naia with Haylee and Trinley in front of her - Ellie, Ella, Talya, and the Allred Cousins...Sweet kids every one...

 Isn't she lovely!

 Brunch at Natalie and Jared's - oh, the cupcakes were to die for.....Chocolate/Chocolate and Red Velvet with Cream Cheese....

 Talya, Tyanne, Ellie Trinley and Aunt Tonya..

 Jade, Aunt Michon, Ellie, Ella and Naia...

 Opening some fun gifts...

 Morning of the Phoenix Temple Dedication - Jade, Naia and Ella...November 16, 2014

 Then on the drive home - what would appear....a little skiff of snow near Heber...

 Progress on the house:  Framing, Insulation, Drywall...

 New bathtub - downstairs

 Tonya's room gets a little repair...

Thankful for any progress ---