1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $34 - 2 \times 8 + 12 + 4$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Multiplication comes before addition and subtraction. 3. **Calculate the multiplication first:** $$2 \times 8 = 16$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression with the multiplication done:** $$34 - 16 + 12 + 4$$ 5. **Perform the subtraction and additions from left to right:** $$34 - 16 = 18$$ 6. **Continue with the additions:** $$18 + 12 = 30$$ 7. **Add the last number:** $$30 + 4 = 34$$ **Final answer:** $$34$$