So while we were in the air flying over the ocean and the United States, many preparations were being made:
All the goodies the kids know we like
Beautiful bouquet of flowers
Welcome home sign - flowers in the flower pot
And the promised marigolds from Targhee. Monica and Targhee worked really hard to have everything all clean and spit spot for us and it truly was. Allison and Tabor came a few days early and gave some assistance along with Melanie. I think Natalie and Tiffany took their turn helping Monica with what needed to be done. We appreciate everything everyone did. We truly felt welcomed home.
Two cuties waiting at the airport
Annie and Leilani all grown up
TJ grown up too
Annie and Leilani all grown up
They knew I would do that! We thought we'd look festive in bright African colors when we arrived - the kids loved it
I think everyone was cheering because Annie is holding her ears
We finally got to see and hold Caleb Adam Ramsey who was born while we were gone
Even though he didn't know us, he let me hold him because he liked my necklace
Hugging Leilani
Hugging TJ
Alyssa, Jeff, Sheridan, and Grandma with TJ
Grandpa and big tall Cade - he grew a ton!
Hugging Allison, Ammon holding TJ, Sheridan
Grandpa and Annie
Hugging Monica
Hugging Melanie
Grandpa and Allison
Hugging Natalie
Grandpa and Monica
Grandpa and Dallin
Hugging Natalie
Meeting Josh, Brooklyn's boyfriend for the first time
Hugging Preston
Hugging Tabor
Hugging Targhee,
Monica, Tony, Leilani, Annie, and Tabor
Meeting Tony, Natalie's new husband
Tony's daughter Alicia
Aww, I've missed my recliner
And this is how we were for the next few weeks. I'm sure I'm asleep somewhere
We didn't know who would be there to greet us besides our Utah family but we were pleasantly surprised to see Allison and her family and Melanie
Josh, Preston, and Dallin eating the food the girls had prepared for those who came to the house. Ross and I were in a daze and don't remember much of any thing that happened the weeks after we got home. Jet lag and after mission fatigue are true ailments
We brought home souvenirs for everyone - Annie and Leilani are modeling their skirts and necklaces. Everyone got a Book of Mormon with an African map on the front made of animal skin. They were cool
Our first request was to go to Garcias for dinner. Front to left: TJ, Caleb, Allison, Annie, Tabor, Alyssa, Jesslyn, Natalie, Tony, Sam, Nathan, Isaac, Alicia, Grandma, Grandpa, Melanie, Targhee, Leilani, and Monica
I think it was yummy but I don't remember
It was Annie's birthday a few days before so they sang to her
Then she opened presents and we had birthday cake on Sunday
She turned a big three
Our welcome home was held the Sunday right after we got home. The table clothes and pictures are from Africa. The girls did everything - I just did what they told me
Targhee and Aunt Leslie
Laura, Allison, and Tabor
Tony Leavitt talking to his relative, Cecil Leavitt who was with us on our mission, Ross, Betty Rae, Sister Leavitt, and Steven Sparks, one of our missionaries from Plain City, Sister Day from Roy, Elder Day was still on mission
Jesslyn, Jordan and Alicia Leavitt, Alyssa, Caleb and Sam Leavitt and Cade
I'm hugging Elder Day's mom
Aironn and Gary Bishop, Allison and Amy?
The Baxters and Blakes from our mission
There's plenty for the kids to do in our back yard. The yard was all green and mowed and trimed so nice. Monica and Targhee lived in and took care of our house while we were gone and we are so grateful to them.
These were pictures of just a few of the people there. We weren't able to talk with everyone but we appreciated all those who came and supported us: Coleen and Albert, Vera and Doug, Jay and Annette, Floy and Tom, Nada and Riley, Leslie and Laura, Gary and Aironn, Kevin and Amy, Scott and Christy, and Lance and Celeste. All of our family were there except Callie and Tara and we would see them in July. I'm sure I've forgotten others but I was still in jet lag daze and don't remember much. It took time to adjust to being home but there truly is no place like home.
We truly were blessed while we were gone and our family was blessed but it was good to be home.
Since we weren't able to talk to everyone who came, the next week we started visiting as many of our family as we could. Ken and Venice didn't come because Venice was very sick. Ross felt like we should go see them first. We spent a lovely afternoon with Ken and Venice and six weeks later Venice past away. We were very grateful that we had that time with her.
Hugging Allison, Ammon holding TJ, Sheridan
Hugging Monica
Monica, Tony, Leilani, Annie, and Tabor
Tony's daughter Alicia
We didn't know who would be there to greet us besides our Utah family but we were pleasantly surprised to see Allison and her family and Melanie
I think it was yummy but I don't remember
These were pictures of just a few of the people there. We weren't able to talk with everyone but we appreciated all those who came and supported us: Coleen and Albert, Vera and Doug, Jay and Annette, Floy and Tom, Nada and Riley, Leslie and Laura, Gary and Aironn, Kevin and Amy, Scott and Christy, and Lance and Celeste. All of our family were there except Callie and Tara and we would see them in July. I'm sure I've forgotten others but I was still in jet lag daze and don't remember much. It took time to adjust to being home but there truly is no place like home.
We truly were blessed while we were gone and our family was blessed but it was good to be home.
Since we weren't able to talk to everyone who came, the next week we started visiting as many of our family as we could. Ken and Venice didn't come because Venice was very sick. Ross felt like we should go see them first. We spent a lovely afternoon with Ken and Venice and six weeks later Venice past away. We were very grateful that we had that time with her.
