Welcome Home Family Party and final Mission Post!

April 11, 2015.  We went with Kristy, Dave and Jack to their home in Taylorsville to spend the night after we flew home. Reagan, Myah and Elliott are realizing that this Grandma is real, not just a flat face on Skype!!  It was so fun!

 Kristy and Dave hosted a family gathering for us. Here we are with 9 of our grandkids. Brady's family are in Anchorage, Alaska and couldn't come.

 We had a fabulous brunch with the works, including lots of bacon that little Reagan is sucking on.

 These 2 little boys were born while we were gone. Our Elliott and Jack, one month apart.

 Nap time with mom Kristy.

 We had an Easter Egg hunt in the back yard to celebrate.

Two year old Jones had a blast!

 Myah was still looking for all her eggs.

 Grandpa loved it as much as the kids!

 Our two oldest grands, Morgan and JJ loved finding eggs in the trees.

Nine year old Brenna has a full basket!

 Elliott decided he was done.

 Lindsey, Justin and girls.

 The fun things we brought back to give to the family from Austria.

 We gathered all the family together and called their name out one at a time to present them with their gifts. We had so much fun being with our family once again and getting to know our grandkids who had grown sooooo much while we were gone.

 The boys with their Lederhosen swim suits.

 Even JJ and Kenny (in Alaska) got one. They are our 2 oldest grandsons.

 This is what we saw as we pulled into our driveway. The kids had driven our car down to Kristy's house so we could drive it back to ours.

 Lindsey followed us home so she could see our reaction and take this picture.

"Home Sweet Home!"  Now the adjustment to after mission life begins!!

GOING HOME!!

On April 9, 2015 we were leaving Graz to drive to Munich. Our last stop in Graz was to Edith and Horst Pail's home for final hugs and to give them the keys to our apartment until another missionary couple could come.

 We were fully packed in our mission car.

 We left these beautiful Alp mountains to return to our beautiful Wasatch mountains.

There were 29 of us missionaries going home this transfer. Here we all are with President Kohler and his family after the nice meal and testimony meeting. The young missionaries were then off to the hotel and Rick and I went to the Mission Home with the Kohlers for the night.

 The next morning we all arrived at the Munich airport to depart. 

 Some of the missionaries left with their parents that came to pick them up and the European missionaries went a different way. Here is the luggage from those of us flying to the states.

 Our last picture with President and Sister Kohler while still missionaries. "Auf Wiedersehen -Till we meet again!!"

 On the plane flying to Chicago.

 We worked with Elder Byers (left) in Graz for 6 months or so. His home is in Texas.

 After a 7 hour layover in Chicago, we finally arrived in Salt Lake shortly after midnight April 11th. It had been a long couple of days but we were home!

 Before walking down the hall to our waiting families, the 8 of us that flew together to SLC stopped for one last picture. We were all pretty exhausted but sooo excited!

 This is the picture I took as I was walking out.

 It was so late, but here are the troupers waiting for our arrival!

 My first time to hold our Baby Jack. He was wondering why I was crying.

 Kristy brought balloons, flags, and little Jack while Dave was parking the car. It was well after midnight by this time and most of the little ones and moms were in bed but it was amazing to have four out of our 5 children there and 4 of our 14 grands. Thanks guys!! It was a fabulous welcome home!!
The family party pictures April 11th coming in the next post!

Last Post from Austria!

Easter!  The lamb cake and colored eggs have special meaning here. It is a sign of friendship and love to give the boiled colored eggs, especially red eggs. These were given to us.

Giant kinder eggs that Rick bought for a surprize. He is showing how big they are compared to the boiled eggs. There were toys inside!

Easter Sunday was such a great day! We loved watching General Conference at the church. We are in  the RS room so we could watch in English. The German translation version was seen in the Chapel. Since we were 8 hours different we watched all but the last session.

In between sessions Elder Tew had the great privelege to baptize our friend Ronny Zinser.

Elder Mitchell and Elder Durrant are such great missionaries! 

 The wonderful Suppan family!! Marlene has been so great to work with as the YSA representative. She does so much in her calling and will conntinue to do so

 Our last FHE April 6, 2015.

 Our dear, dear neighbor Val. Tuesday evening April 7th she made us a light dinner and we showed her the movie "Meet The Mormons" on Rick's laptop. She loved it and said the Sister Missionaries could call on her!!!!! We will miss her so much.

 The Kervinens from Finland came to Graz Wednesday to meet us for lunch. Aliisa served her mission here and was in Graz when we first came. She has been home since December and they are touring the mission. It was so great to see her again and meet her parents. Her dad is in the Mission Presidency in Finland. 

 Last night April 8th was our last Institute night. Horst and Edith Pail cooked the meal and Bro. Schatz taught the lesson. Marlene and the YSAs gave us these fun aprons so we can be Austrians at home and always think of them! Don't you love E. Tew in his Leder Hosen?! 

 Siri, Marlene, Lisa and Clara! All but Marlene are getting married soon.

 Manuela and Alice Schatz came after Institute and gave us presents. Manuela knitted wonderfully warm socks for next winter. What treasures!! Also a german childrens book for Grandpa to read to our grandkids!!

Well... it is April 9th 2015!!  Last minute things to do before we leave Graz and drive to Munich to meet with the other 29 young missionaries who are going home also. We fly out tomorrow and we will be home!!