Welcome Home!

On Tuesday my brother came home from serving his mission in Riverside, California. It was so fun to get ready for his arrival. We made posters to have at the airport and we put up a big banner at my parents house. My cute mom also bought a ton of yellow paper plates and put smiley faces on them, then attached knifes to the back of them and we stuck them all over her yard. It was really cute.

We went to the airport and anxiously waited to see him coming down the escalator. We had lots of family there waiting with us. Once we saw him, my mom couldn't wait for him to get to the bottom; she ran right up and grabbed him. I don't think she had slept for a week, so was so excited to see him.

It is great to have him home, although I think it's a little hard for him. I kept asking Ben about how it was to come home, because sometimes Braden would look a little overwhelmed. I imagine it's hard to adjust to everything, and maybe a little sad to have to leave everything you devoted the last two years to. But it's been really fun to hang out with him and just to talk to him. It's fun to hear his stories, and to be able to tell him about whats been going on here.

I took lots of pictures!

Here we are waiting for his plane to come in. We were all so excited!




When we first saw him, I think I screamed a little. :) I don't really remember what happened, I was just excited.



We took turns hugging him and we were all smiles! The first thing he said to me was, "Whoa! I like your hair!" :)





Baby was even excited to see him! :)


He was so cute as he made the rounds and said hi to everyone.





This is after they measured my brothers to see who who is taller, and Dallen is now taller than Braden. He was pretty excited about that.




I love my family! They are awesome and we have so much fun together. I am so grateful for the love and friendship we share. It's fun as we get older and can share experiences on a deeper level. As the oldest, I like watching my siblings learn and grow and experience life. I am so proud of Braden and who he has become. He has grown up so much. He is so good and so strong. I know he was a great missionary, and I know he will do great at whatever he does in life.





The only thing missing is Kynslee. I really felt her absence and it was hard. I just kept thinking about how she should be here to meet her Uncle Braden. It hurts my heart to think that Braden never got to see her and hold her, and feel her special spirit. I was so excited to have him home, but that day was so hard for me. It's hard when the grief hits. I didn't really expect it, and I had a hard time not dwelling on it. It just hurts to have these reminders of what should be. I guess this is something I will just have to keep working on; enjoying life and everything that happens, while missing Kynslee so much.

And just because I know Kynslee would have been so happy to see him! :)