We (and by we I mean "I") made lots of posters to take to the airport. They said things like "Welcome home Elder" and "We heart missionaries" and "Do you have any toilet paper" in Armenian.
Poor little Whitney was so tired but still insisted on holding onto one of the posters!
His plane didn't get in until 11 p.m. on Friday night so we put our kiddos to bed and got a sitter so we could go out to the airport with everyone. All the adults except Uncle John and Uncle Dave were able to go. He looked pretty much the same (tall and skinny) but older somehow. Mom and a teary-eyed Dad (of course!) were the first to get some hugs and pictures with the Elder. After about 10 minutes at the airport we all drove back home and waited for Mom and Dad and Taylor to return home after a stop at President Wright's house. It was getting pretty late but we all wanted to stay and talk to Taylor. At about 1 a.m. Josh was fast asleep sitting upright in the chair so I figured it was time to go. Poor Taylor had been traveling for like 24 hours so I'm sure he was exhausted!
The next morning we all got up bright and early to go to one of Ryley's soccer games. Ryley and Maddie both thought it was their job to watch over Whitney. Especially Ryley. It was so sweet. He was very careful and helped her the whole time she was here. Hello - why doesn't he do this with his little brother?!
The whole family was here so we spent lots of time at Granny and Pops' house visiting with all our cousins and GG and YoPapa. We finally got to meet Tyler, but unfortunately he came down with a cold and was not himself until the day they left. He spent most of the time miserable and/or sleeping. Poor little guy! Miss Whitney was definitely our source of entertainment. She says the cutest things and in the most grown-up way.
She had us laughing at everything she said. She is quite the little genius too. Just ask her about the difference between amphibians and reptiles. All the kiddos loved going out to play in the backyard on the swing and in the sand box. I think Whitney was just glad to be able to go outside without her snowsuit on! We did have really beautiful and pretty warm November weather so that was great.
We fed the ducks.
Ben fed himself.
We played at the park and went on a bike ride.
We had lots of fun jumping on the bubble wrap that came with Granny's birthday present.
We went on adventures looking for amphibians and reptiles. Sadly Whitney did not find any reptiles or amphibians but we did find lots of rolie polies and snails.
Cash using his explorer binoculars.
Ben also found some very "spooky" dead branches. So funny!!!
We got very dirty bums when me, Brianne, and Pops got distracted by a cardinal in a tree and the kids took off following Ben down to the creek. Oops!
Needless to say, they all had to go pantless afterwards but that didn't stop the fun! Who really needs pants anyway? They're just a distraction.
We spent lots of time together.
Mom and I of course look like we're drunk. Wouldn't be a Smith Family photo if we didn't! We even have the same eyes halfway open. Genetics!Uncle Dave was able to get away from law school for the weekend. We were so glad he was able to come. He's known as the "Pied Piper" around the Smith house and always manages to calm the crazy kiddos. Hopefully he'll be able to work that magic on his own kiddo - expected in April 2009!!!! Yay!! That's not the only reason we're glad he came though. It was nice to be all together again - that hasn't happened in over two years!
We even managed to sneak in an early Thanksgiving dinner on Monday since everyone was there. So yummy!!!! I'm still not sure how my poor parents made it through all the noise of having ALL the grandkids there everyday for most of the day. It was very loud but very fun. Thanks mom and dad for letting us come over and wreck the house everyday!
We're off to the Hopewell's for Thanksgiving this year so I'm sure there will be more photos to come (but probably not anytime soon!) : )
3 comments:
Great pictures! I can't believe how skinny you are - som things never change. You're kids are dang cute!
Well, it's about time! :) Nice recap; a very fun visit indeed.
Looks like so much fun! And that picture with the kid's bums all dirty is too cute! How funny. :)
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