LITTLE MOMENTS OF SUNSHINE

"Brrrrrr! I'm cold!" That has been my mantra for the past few days.  Here's why:

The snow keeps coming... and the streets are sheets of ice.

This morning I woke up with the idea that I needed to look for "little moments of sunshine." So here are my bits of sunshine this wintry day:

My daughters are my role models. They bravely face the snow and ice to get their education in Rexburg, Idaho. I couldn't be prouder of them than I am. Both of them are doing "hard things" in their own way and conquering them! Thanks for being my sunshine!

Kiara is taking some really difficult classes including Human Anatomy and Car Maintenance.

Katia and Skylar are ready to take on the world after their last semester ends this April!

And Kiara's hair is covered in ice from walking to her classes in the freezing weather.

My grandson is a HUGE part of my sunshine.

These two handsome men are teaching/learning the ABCs.

Red Skittle wrote it without help!

Learning music at a young age is extremely important!

Good job, Kiara and Cody! And thank you, Dad, for making him a dulcimer!

It seems silly... but it brings sunshine to my heart to name my computer and my car.  My computer's name is Evan, and Scott and I call our car the Wraith. When my sister and her husband bought new laptops this weekend, I encouraged them to name them after a famous duo. My heart was filled with sunshine when GJ sent me this picture and explained that their computers were named Rita and Norman.

G.J.'s computer, Rita - Ken's computer, Norm

And this guy makes me warm ALL THE TIME:

28 years married and still very much in love!

I'm STILL chilled to the bone. But my heart is filled with sunshine! Thanks to my family!

LET'S MAKE THE NEW YEAR MAGICAL

After Christmas, Scott and I got to spend New Year's Eve and the days leading up to New Year's Eve with his family. I can't express enough how grateful Scott and I are for our families and the opportunities we have had this year to spend time with all of them. We are so blessed for each of these amazing people in our lives!

We drove to Logan, Utah to spend the night with Stacey and Whitney, before the reunion/dinner on Thursday before the New Year. Whitney took us for breakfast. And Scott was so excited about his blueberry pancake that was the size of a deep dish, large pizza. Then we traveled to Salt Lake City for a delicious meal with even better company. All of the DeGooyer brothers and sisters were there (except Mark who was at a wedding dinner for his sister.) We talked. We reminisced. We dreamed. And we shared stories about our lives. I wish the two hours could have lasted all day. I'm so proud to be called a DeGooyer!

Breakfast of Champions

Valerie, Kevin, Brett, Alana, Whitney, Stacey, Kerri, Scott and Me

Then we went to Mom and Dad DeGooyer's home in St. George. We got to spend 4 relaxing days with them. We stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve. We made resolutions. We ate delicious foods. And we kept it calm and peaceful. It was a great night.

I've already exercised every day this year except Friday and Sunday.

And I've had no sugar since January 2nd!

Scott is so excited to study the different names of Christ this year.

Our daughters also celebrated:

2024 in Rexburg with Katia, Skylar, Shanae, Cole, Cody, Kiara, Red Skittle and Lobster

This grandson of mine was lookin' good on New Year's Eve!

Oh! And I forgot to blog about Scott's work party with Container and Packaging. It was really nice. The dinner was exquisite. The entertainment was terrific. The people were even better. And the fun was non-stop. Here are a few pictures:

Me and my favorite!

I wish I had gotten pictures of bowling... but Bird took pictures of us on the twister.

Kate, Me, Scott and GJ

Scott was regretting it immediately.

GJ and I like to spin!

And a few more snap shots that needed to be blogged:

Kiara loves Katia's dog

I made cards for birthdays and January hellos.

A new friend, Chris, helped me make them.

Her stamp collection is unbelievable!

And here is my Vision Board for 2024

Here's the poem I wrote:

What does PEACE look like?
Peace looks like being prepared.
Not to fear, not to be scared.
Peace looks like a modest home.
A place from which I will not roam.
Peace is an eternal family.
I'm forever grateful we are we!
Peace looks like God's Holy House.
I love to worship with my spouse.
Peace looks like following the Savior.
He guides my thoughts and my behavior.
Peace looks like trusting Him through trials.
Getting through storms with our smiles.
Peace is what I desire this year.
With His grace, I have nothing to fear.

A CHRISTMAS STATE OF MIND

Christmas gets better with age. It becomes less about the magic and the gifts and the decorations, and more about family and love and celebrating my Savior, Jesus Christ. This year, I was able to honor the season by spending it with my sweet husband, both of my beautiful daughters, my adorable sons, and my amazing grandson. Craig, Cody's father, also joined us for the holiday. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law (Kerri and Mark) even shared their home with us so we could all stay in the same place. She decorated for us and it fit us all perfectly. We definitely felt their love in sharing their home with us. (They spent Christmas with their youngest daughter in New Mexico.)

Our Forever Family

Cody, Kiara, Red Skittle, Me, Jude (dog), Scott, Katia and Skylar

As per tradition, we began the holiday on Sunday, Christmas Eve. We worshipped with our ward. Scott and I sang in the choir. The Spirit was so strong, Scott got choked up singing Silent Night. We took pictures before church:

The cutest red head EVER!

My Lillywhites!

My Browns!

Grandma and Grandpa with their grand!

Cody and Craig (his dad)

Happy Together!

The same evening, we had our Christmas Eve feast, with my dad. Everything was delicious and we were so grateful to all be together. After dinner, we read Luke 2. (I recently decided I liked Luke 1 just as much, if not more, but it takes a lot longer to read, and Red Skittle doesn't have the attention span for it. Ha! Ha! Ha!) Then we gave our gifts to the Savior and opened our matching pajamas. Then we watched The Nativity Story. Many people don't know of this movie, but it is my FAVORITE Christmas movie. It came out in 2006, and flew under the radar in Hollywood. Maybe that's why it's so good.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Kiara, Cody, Craig, Katia, Dad, Skylar, Scott, Me, Red Skittle

If you could hear this picture, you would hear this adorable family singing a beautiful Christmas song about being disciples of Christ. This moment was a huge highlight for Scott and I!

My daughters sure do love each other!

Matching PJs - before the movie
Jets for the win!?

And Grandma got in as many cuddles as possible!

And this is the movie!

Check it out!

Santa came sometime during the night. We all got stockings, but when Red Skittle is around, he's the only one you take pictures of. Christmas day was lovely. It was full of laughter, joy, and quiet... even with a four year old grandson. We played games, snacked, and visited.

Look, mom! Santa brought treats!

Looking inside....

is so exciting!

This picture warms my heart!

Look at my boys!

I love all three of them more than my silly blog can express.

And if you could hear this picture, you'd hear uncontrollable laughter from both of these guys.

I sure do love them with all my heart!

Peek-a-boo

Breakfast with the Browns

Tough guy face - to match his new rubber band gun from Shanae and Cole

Berry and Skittle loved learning how to "shoot" rubber bands

The excitement was palpable.

Silly faces with my little best friend!

And more!

Taking selfies with Red Skittles is my happy place!

Christmas was truly all about Christ and family. I loved celebrating Christ's humble beginnings with his earthly family by spending time with my own simple crew. 

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

Saturday, before Christmas, we had a McCallister Family Reunion.  It was absolutely wonderful to be with our entire family (minus 3 grandkids on missions, and one married grandchild with his in-laws, and mom).  I had really worked hard to put together a fun day... and I think it went well.  

Here is the entire crew:

Our shirts say: 
We're related.
Who's asking?
I want my lawyer.

(My dad always jokes about wanting his lawyer when asked if he's related to anyone of us.)

Here's the agenda:

Here are some fun pictures of our day:

Scott got a chicken purse with chicken treats for his White Elephant gift...

It was stolen a few times.  He ended up with an amazing blanket.

Red Skittle loved his new umbrella hat.

Luckily no one stole it from him.

Me with Red Skittle and Berry

(My grandson and my sister's grandson)

My brothers are visiting....

Ken is working on pictures...

Shanae and Tara take care of Zero (Chance's dog)

Two of my favorite people: my oldest daughter and my sister

Peter and Cody

(Cody was really sick, but he wanted to stay and visit!  We're glad he did.)

Cousins playing games!

Trus, Yurae, Skylar, Chance, Kade and Sheila

Emily - Gary - Mariah

Crafting: Licorice and Berry

Grandpa making ornaments with Red Skittle

My youngest daughter and sweet niece

Mariah with the littles!

They sure love her!

Ben reads mom's traditional Christmas story: A Light in the Forest

I love these two boys!

These two were all smiles for the entire long day.

I call that a successful reunion!

What a fabulous day!  I love my family!  And I'm so grateful that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!  I'm so glad these few are my forever!  And I'm also so thankful for living close to this crazy crew!