Easy White Bread Recipe =Failure :( for me....

One of my personal challenges for this year is to learn to make great bread.  I have never been successful with this! Anything that requires me to use yeast seems to turn out badly.
I found this wonderful recipe and thought "hmmmm, I can make this!"  Nope, it turned out sad...
The bread actually tasted great but I made flat bread instead of raised bread-lol.
But because the recipe tasted really great I want to share it with you, and I will go back to the drawing board to try again...

This is what great bread looks like

EASY WHITE BREAD

(Makes 4 loaves)

4 c. warm water (divided)

8 Tbsp. sugar

4 Tbsp. yeast

4 Tbsp. vegetable oil

4 tsp. salt

7-8 c. flour

Add the sugar to 1 c. warm water, and then dissolve yeast in the sugar water.  Let the mix rest until it's doubled in size.
Pour oil into a large mixing bowl, add the yeast mixture, the remaining water and the salt.
Adding 2-3 cups of flour at a time mix together and knead until the dough is soft and not sticky.
(The dough is too sticky if you touch it and it sticks to your finger)
Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces.

Looking good so far

Set on a greased counter top, cover with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
Lightly knead each loaf for 1 minute, then form into loaves and places in greased bread pans.

Hmmm...not so beautiful but still hopeful

Allow to raise until doubled in size.
Bake at 350 degree's for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Remove from oven and rub the tops with softened butter. Allow to cool in the pans for 30-40 minutes, then remove from the pan and allow to completely cool. Store in plastic bags.

WHAT HAPPENED?
What my bread turned out like.   This is sad...