Back to CO.

 **I don't think I mentioned that Bill and I moved out of our basement apartment on July 15. Initially we were told that we could stay until our house was finished, but our landlords, the Leflers, had a job opportunity in China, and they had rented out their house to another family. They told us we could stay until the end of July, but we decided that since we had to put everything into storage anyway, we might as well move out and head to UT. We spent 3 weeks with my parents, then 3 weeks with Bill's parents. It was a crazy time.**

We headed back to CO for Mar's homecoming talk in the Meadows Ward.

Our dear friends, the Leaks, had offered to have us stay at their home while we were there.

Saturday, August 14

We went to Boondocks with Tay, Nae, and the girls. V and NJ had fun checking out the arcade games while we waited for our bowling lane.

V loved bowling, but NJ (not bowling) was a little tired and cranky, so I walked around the arcade with her for a bit while the others bowled.

NJ finally fell asleep (with Nae), then we carefully transferred her to me and I got to enjoy holding and cuddling a sleepy girl. I love that.

It was fun to spend some time with this family we love and will miss having nearby.

That evening the Leaks had made us a yummy dinner of Traeger pizza. Mar had spent the day with her friend Cassidey, who had come from Fort Collins for Mar's talk.

Sunday, August 15

We had planned to have refreshments at the church pavilion after the meeting(s). We headed to the church a little early to set up, and found this friend hanging around the pavilion:

Oh, Colorado, I'm going to miss you.

Mar gave a fantastic talk, which our UT family was able to join via zoom (pandemic procedures have made virtually attending church meetings so easy, so I'm grateful for that). Afterwards a few people joined us to visit in the pavilion.

This is the Stewart family (minus their oldest, who attended class ;-)

Lindsey is the sister of one of my dearest friends from Parker, Marci. Her family moved into our ward from Albuquerque NM, and I will be forever grateful to know them. They are the best.

It was great to see a couple of Mar's friends from the Legend Ward - Isabel Otteson and Caitlin Weed.

NJ with Graham McLaws

We love the Leaks. They have been such great friends for so many years.

We also love the McLaws. I am so grateful for my friendship with Alisa and her darling family.

We love the Syddalls! It was so great to spend some time with them ♥

One of Bill's coworkers, Dawn, and her son came to listen to Mar's talk. I'm not sure if they have ever attended a Sunday service for our church before, so it was great to have them there.

We had a large crowd after the second hour of meetings, so things got busy and I didn't get many pics. 

We love the Meadows Ward ♥

Laura Nielson. What can I say? She was Mar's YW leader, and she is amazing. She lived down the street from us in Castle Rock, and we love her and her family so much.

I forgot to snap a picture of our set-up, so this is when things were wrapping up. I am so thankful for dear friends who helped by bringing so. many. cookies. 

Marci, Lindsey, Jeanne, Alisa, and Vernet (who made a TON). 

I am truly blessed to know the best!

Mar and Haley Cauble - we love the Caubles ♥

After the gathering, we headed back to the Leak's home for a delicious dinner that Kevin and Jeanne had prepared. They were such lovely hosts. Tay and Nae came over, and we ate and visited for a few hours.

It was so good to see our CO family and friends. We love you all!

Monday, August 16

We hit the road and headed back to our new home state of UT.

We had to stop by Graff's Dairy in Grand Junction - one of Mar's fave treat places on her mission.

So yummy.

Goldsberrys with guns.

 Wednesday, August 11

I was invited to go shooting with some of my fellow gun-loving family members.

I got to practice shoot Bill's Walther 9mm (it won't do me any good in an emergency if I don't know how to use it), and had a blast shooting some of the other guns my brothers brought along with them. They have quite a collection.

Jill may or may not have thoroughly enjoyed shooting this little baby:

A huge thank you to my brothers (Marty & Matt) who put in the planning and work so we could all enjoy shootin' it up. It was such a fun - and, for me, educational - day.

Bowling fun + L's golden Birthday.

Tuesday, August 3

We thought it would be fun to celebrate Ellis's birthday a day early, and he had wanted to go bowling ever since our one-on-one date when we went to Fat Cats and played the arcade games for a couple hours (and I spent over $30 on half-price-arcade day so he could get a flashing trident that lasted all of 15 minutes hahahaha). As we were leaving that day he said, "Gigi, what about bowling?" Kids are THE BEST. Always up for a non-stop adventure.

L was not in the mood for photographs, but we had such a fun time bowling and having lunch together with Britt, Scarlett, and Auntie M. 

Saturday, August 7

Ellis's party was on Saturday. He wanted a DOG party - Britt had told me how that was kind of ironic because when he had first started talking about it, he was terrified of dogs. Luckily he had spent some quality with Jack and Ava when they dog sat for us - and when I watched the kids for Britt and Austin's babymoon. By the time his party rolled around, this is how comfortable L was with dogs:

Ellis had been talking about having Mar do face painting at his party FOR MONTHS. Auntie M pulled through and did such a great job painting all the little pups and kitties.

Britt asked me to help decorate the cupcakes... I am obviously not as skilled as my daughters. We had to laugh that the ears started to stretch, and by the end of the party some had drooped all the way down the sides of the cupcakes. The good news is that the kids LOVED THEM. Kids are the best.

Britt always has the cutest party decor.

Happy Birthday, Ellis!

Gigi loves you ♥