Bryce came home from his mission serving in the Argentina, Salta Mission in mid-May, 2012. He went directly to Mexico to be with my parents and Brooke, to spend time with the missionaries, and hang out til all 4 of them "officially" came home.
Kase was very nice, and knew how bad I wanted to go to my family's homecoming, but I never asked figuring it wasn't in the budget. When we found out how cheap it would be for us to get there, he encouraged me to go. I was so happy!
I went to Dallas for the week, and at the end of the week they gave their Homecoming talks at church followed by a get-together that evening. So fun.
So, we got lucky and rented this bad boy for the week:
When my dad came back from the rental car place with this bad boy, we could not help but laugh and be astonished. This is like a 12 passenger van, and we clearly do not have 12 passengers. But we were going to take it to a couple different places (Arizona, Utah, etc.), and I have to admit that we were pretty comfortable :) My dad was inspired, even though he likes to act like the rental emptied his pockets.....
The whole week was so fun just getting to be around family. I honestly didn't have much time to see any friends, as we went to 2 different lakes with friends, were planning the get together, and doing whatever else with family friends. The Houghton's let us stay in their guest house since the renters are still in my parents house and will be til August (they did that intentionally, knowing they were going to be traveling for majority of July and wanted to get another month's rent...sounds about right). It was so nice there. I did get to see Lauren and have breakfast with her, which was so wonderful. And I got to see Molly, Chase, and her baby Hudson. So cute. I got to hang out with Emma one night, where she told me she was pregnant! She has since miscarried :( but is optimistic for the chance to become pregnant again.
The talks on Sunday were so nice to hear. All 4 of them spoke, and Brad and Bryce sang. It was beautiful, as always. Both Brooke and my Dad mentioned how difficult it was for my dad to miss my wedding. Made me cry, of course. But my Dad mentioned that maybe he perhaps felt a little more like Heavenly Father does, when he was not able to be the Christ throughout his ministry on the earth, particularly when he was dying on the cross. I know I made the right decision to get married in the Salt Lake temple, but I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to do it in Mexico. Getting sealed by Elder Bednar was a huge blessing I will never forget, thanks to my Dad!
My friend Brenton! He came to their Homecoming talk - it was so great to see him! We were good friends in the Stake.
Sweet Emma :)
They LOVED playing in those balloons
And the family. Missing a few but so glad to have many of us there :)
The get-together in the evening was also for Andrew Asay, who recently returned home from the Nevada, Las Vegas mission. They hosted the party - we love them!
I just HAVE to include this. I wasn't around for this but at some point after my family got back, they found this on their door:
