After exactly TWO years, my little brother Spenc came home from serving an LDS mission in Calgary, Canada. Insert squealing here!! (You can see photos of his farewell here and here. Ellie was soooo little!) To say we were excited was an absolute understatement! After only talking to him via emails and letters, and skyping with him on Mother’s Day and Christmas, this day was long awaited. We were pretty much freaking out all week long. 🙂
His flight didn’t arrive until 11 o’clock that night (how we managed to stay busy all day is beyond me). We adorned the house with banners and posters (all thanks to my mom, gramma, & Erin’s creative talent!) And Ellie got a sign to hold for Uncle Spenc, too! She was super excited for him to come home, though she didn’t remember him since he left when she was eight months old. We had been talking about him a lot the past month and she loved to mention him during her prayers. One morning, while I was saying the breakfast prayer, her eyes opened up wide as she tapped my arm and whispered “Don’t forget to bless Uncle Spenc!”
Due to his late flight, the lighting in the airport was terrible. Ha! 🙂 But these next series of photos of Spencer running to my mom are priceless (even if they are a little blurry!) He and the elder he was flying with booked it off the plane and sprinted straight to their mamas! Best moment ever!
First family photo with all of us in two years! Ellie was a little scared at this point. The shrieking and clapping freaked her out and she couldn’t quite understand that Uncle Spenc was not a “scary guy.” Yes, that’s what she called him for the first few days. Ha! 😉
I couldn’t quite get everyone in the photo with my lens, but there was a large crowd welcoming home Elder Call!
Zac was Spencer’s last mission companion before Spenc was officially released the next morning. He wore Spencer’s extra name tag and did his hair like Spenc, too!
We were also formally introduced to ketchup chips. I love ketchup and I love chips, but I think I’ll stay far away from these and eat the chocolate bars Spenc brought home instead. 😉 Ha! We sure love having this boy back home (and his slight Canadian accent too, eh!)
Leah Bryant
Yay!!!! I know this was a very happy day. I remember I started reading your blog about a month before Spencer left on his mission. 🙂 Can't believe it's been 2 years! So happy for you all!! XOXO
Love always, Jess
so fun! My brother gets home in 2 months!
Caravan Sonnet
Aww that is so exciting!! So happy for y'all!
🙂 Rebecca
Hannah Krueger
My little brother is 17 now, and my mom and I hate thinking about him leaving us in two years FOR two years! This post is so sweet & how awesome that you captured such raw, beautiful emotion! Thanks for sharing!!
Chelannigans
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chelannigans
I can't believe you don't like ketchup chips?!! I'm actually from the mission your brother served in and ran into him a few times last summer. I'm glad he got home safe and sound! Its such a special day whenever families reunite!!
chelannybobanny.blogspot.com