School Starts & Tanner Returns!

Yeah, I realize it's now October and I'm finally posting the "back-to-school" front door pics!  Oh boy. Life has been extra busy (not to mention a few technical issues also).  But for the record, I'm going to play catch up this week with the family blog.

Quinn - 4th grade at Hibbard Elementary 

Elsie - 6th grade at the middle school

Anna - 9th grade at the junior high

Jantzen - 10th grade at the high school

While the younger four returned to school on August 22, Aaron was a good sport to 'tag along' on Brinley and Haley's UT adventure.  The girls attended a Sam Smith concert that evening (while Aaron worked) then all three went hiking the next morning in Big Cottonwood Canyon before returning home.  Gorgeous girls with gorgeous scenery!  Love this canyon.  So many teenage memories for me in this place.

 

Brinley & Haley

Quinn is all about scouting.  I've known this for a while but recently, he's taken things to the next level and I'm realizing it's necessary for me to jump on board with his enthusiasm.  More on this later.

Launching rockets at Pack Night

Aiden, Quinn, Collin, Brock, Tate

Matt S. helping Quinn prepare to launch

Random - fun lasertag game with Nielsen's. 

Anna's first ever cross-country season started off with the local Dash & Splash event where she placed 8th for Fresh/Soph 2-mile race.  Nice way to start off especially considering the fact that she didn't run at all in the summer and had zero base.  Yikes.

We played a game of "musical bedrooms" in preparation for Tanner's return from the mission field.  It prompted me to paint a few rooms along the way.  Good-bye to the Eiffel Tower in Elsie's room (which is now Quinn's room painted gray/dark blue).   

Anna making posters for Tanner's return

To say that we've been excited about welcoming Tanner home after serving valiantly for 2 years in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Mission is a total understatement.  I was pretty emotional prior to his return - and couldn't hold back the tears during the car ride to the airport on Friday, August 31.

We arrived at the airport plenty early but knew there would be a big crowd.

The anticipation of waiting for Tanner to emerge from the gate was intense!  There were six missionaries that flew into our small regional airport from Tanner's mission.  Lots of big families.  Lots of hugs and tears.  So grateful nephew Jordan captured some of it on video!  

Best. Hug. Ever.

All together again!

Jordan, Cam, Chris w/Polly, LaVerne, Jantzen, Anna, Brinley, Tanner, Heather, Aaron, Julia
Elsie, Greta, Quinn, Faye (holding green sign)

G-pa LaVerne (age 95) with Tanner at airport.

Eric, Jacob, Tanner, Aaron

Eric and Aaron work together at HCP and ironically, their sons were called to serve in the same mission.  Jacob left for PPM 3 weeks after Tanner and was called to be Spanish-speaking (though he didn't end up doing a lot with the language).  Tanner and Jacob returned home on the same day. 

It was a long travel day for Tanner and I'm sure he felt out of sorts but it was exhilarating to have him back!  Pretty surreal to leave the airport and squeeze into our minivan with Tanner and luggage in tow.  The kids were thrilled that he hadn't been to a Costa Vida in over two years - it was his first request.  As everyone lined up to order their food, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude at having all six of our children in front of me - I could see them, talk to them, and touch them!

Tanner, Jantzen, Anna, Brinley 

Aaron, Quinn, Elsie

We LOVE you Tanner!  Welcome home! 

Somehow I just knew Tanner would want to walk through the entire house as soon as he stepped inside and took the luggage to his 'new' bedroom (Quinn's room of 8 years).  Fun to look at things with 'new eyes'.  Lots of changes.  Some little.  Some big.  And wowzers - Jantzen grew the most! 

Later that evening, the eight of us headed over to the Stake Center where we met with President Dalling for Tanner to be released from full-time missionary service.  Once again, the tears flowed as he shared his powerful and pure testimony with all of us.  It's been a tremendous blessing to have Tanner serve the Lord for two years.  We all witnessed mighty miracles as a result of his exact obedience and dedication to the Lord's work.  Alma 26:16, 35-37.  Welcome Home Tanner!