Sunday pictures.

 After church, Mar asked if I could snap some pics of her, so I did.

This is just a few of the many :-)

(I actually think this first one is a selfie)

And the one she posted:

Love her ♥

Goldsberry Family Christmas Party.

 The Goldsberry Family Christmas Party lives on...

Years ago this party started as an annual progressive dinner. It has been adjusted from year to year as needed, and when we lived in CO our attendance was hit or miss (although once I had married kids here, they would represent for us). Now that we're back, we can't let the tradition die.

We were so glad that Jill and Stan were in town to join in the fun this year.

Let the white elephant game begin! (after Bill's lengthy instruction haha)

It was so much fun to have everyone together. We missed Rob & Sookie... and I totally neglected getting pics of my boy Callum. He's going to get some extra picture attention asap!

These are the best times.

All is bright.

 Monday, Dec 6

Bill was flying out to CO, so after dropping him off at the airport, I went to Bountiful to visit my parents. This is J's birthday, so I wanted to visit her grave and be with them, knowing they were also thinking of her and feeling the loss and sorrow of not having her here. 

Honestly, there is not a more beautiful location to be laid to rest. I have always loved seeing the temple from this spot, and I especially loved seeing it brightly lit up that evening.

I had never been to this cemetery during the Christmas season. They place large lighted orbs throughout the cemetery, and have this amazing tree covered in lights. It was lovely and bright.

We drove around the temple and read through the Christmas story presented on large lighted displays on many of the lawns of the homes surrounding the temple. It was tender to reflect on the birth of our Savior - to know that, because of Him, we can have a "perfect brightness of hope"  by pressing forward, loving God and others, and enduring to the end. And if we do this, "behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." (2 Nephi 31:20-21)

Afterwards we drove around looking for light displays. I was trying to find some that went to music, but we were unsuccessful in our quest. We managed to find this beautiful display, though:

We may have played games - or just visited - the rest of the evening. As I made the long drive home that night I felt grateful: for good parents, for a little sister, for the plan of salvation, and for my Savior, Jesus Christ - the Light of the World.

All is bright.

V and NJ stay awhile.

Tay and Nae headed back to CO for a flight to Mexico to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. V and NJ got to spend the week with us. We had so much fun with these cute girls.

 Saturday, Nov 27

We were basically recovering from a busy week of Thanksgiving and Gingerbread Housing, so it was a pretty chill day. We managed to eek out the unicorn sparkle puzzle.

Sunday, Nov 28

Since our church doesn't start until 1pm, we had some time in the morning to kill. Another day, another puzzle ;-)

We even had some dress-up time before getting ready for church.

Even after getting ready for church we had a few minutes to kill, so we snapped some pics.

We only attended Sacrament Meeting. NJ loved having her own seat... in the back gym area. She got a little cranky toward the end of the meeting, so Little Billy took her out and held her for a bit. In Grandpa's cozy arms, she went out like a light (which also meant naptime was done for the day).

We met Lex and Jason at a nearby park to play with cousins for a little while that evening. It got a bit chilly as the sun went down, but the kids loved running around and getting some energy out.

Monday, Nov 29

We went to another nearby park to play in the afternoon (so good to have those girls here so I could learn where all the parks are haha). The weather was so beautiful, it was a perfect park day.

I had a hair appointment with my niece Larkin that evening, so Grandpa Billy took the girls over to Britt's for dinner and cake for Scarlett's half-birthday celebration. Britt had told me how she had started this tradition a year or two ago, and her kids LOVE it... meaning they will not let it slide by. She lets the kids decorate their own cake, then they put their face in it. She was so sweet to invite V and NJ over to join in the fun.

Tuesday, Nov 30

Not sure what else we did on this day... except give this cutie piggy tails...

...which lasted all of 5 minutes haha.

Wednesday, Dec 1

Scarlett came over and we made tie-dye slime.

Scarlett may have had blue hands for a few days afterwards.

I loved that Bill had put up our {old} Star Shower lights... it became one of my favorite things to turn off all the lights at night and feel like I was in a green and red galaxy. It literally felt like a planetarium in my house, which I loved.

Thursday, Dec 2

We met up with Jason and Lex, Austin and Britt at Christmas in Color. Bill and I split up - V and I had Austin, Britt, Scarlett, L, and Reese in our car (so the kids could stand up in the sunroof), and Bill took NJ in Jason & Lex's car. We drove through the amazing light display, and it was so fun to hear Scarlett, V, and L having such a good time. I had given Scarlett my phone to snap pics, so I have a boatload ;-)

I loved watching M hang out the window of his car in front of us.

I asked Scarlett to snap a selfie... one of my favorite shots of the night.

Friday, Dec 3

A morning walk by the temple.

The promised craft project with V. 

I had made these with my Activity Day girls the day before (I'm not sure how I squeezed that into my week... but I did), had some extra materials, and had told V we would work on them once NJ was napping. V was NOT going to let me forget.

That afternoon we met up with Lex and Britt at yet another fun park for the last day of outdoor play and cousin time before V and NJ would be heading home.

Saturday, Dec 4

We met Tay and Nae halfway in Grand Junction to do the drop off. Mar wanted to come along because... you know... any chance you have to visit your mission area. She had arranged for us to meet President Bowen of her mission presidency, so once we had enjoyed a quick lunch and said our goodbyes to Tay, Nae and the girls, we drove to the Bowen's home. It was lovely to meet President Bowen and his wife, visit a little with them, and eat the most delicious pumpkin pie I had ever tasted. 100% homemade, oh my.

It was so fun to have V and NJ stay with us! We love them and miss having them close by ♥