Ever since we have moved, I have been slacking at blogging. I keep doing it because Kate keeps asking if I'm going to make another Lublin Life book. I guess I have to keep blogging in order to keep making books! That's some motivation. So now to get caught up...
Jared came home from his mission on Halloween. We were all beyond excited for him to come home. He's the baby so of course he's spoiled and gets all our attention. But for good reason because he's a good kid. He served in the Joao Pessoa and Natal mission in Brazil. His mission actually changed when he was out because they created a new one so he was put into the new mission, the Natal mission.
Patiently waiting at the airport and trying to keep the kids from running too much around. Kevin had an app on his phone so we could track the plane Jared was on. We knew when it flew over Oregon then Walla Walla and then landed. It was pretty cool.
Cute sign that Sara made for Landon
The family waiting for Jared to board off the plane. It seemed like it took forever. My Mom started crying when we saw him. All the pictures I took of him coming through the waiting area were blurry. Bummer. We all were excited to see him. My Mom got first dibs to hug him so we told all the kids to stay back and, of course, Preston runs up to him as he's walking to us. It was surreal that he was back. Seemed like he just left, but not.
Us siblings all together again
L-R: Jeni, Sara, Jared, Marci, Jeff and me
After the airport, we went to Old Country Buffet for lunch and quizzed Jared with all sorts of questions. He barely slept on the plane ride from Brazil so he was so tired and a walking zombie, but put up with our questions very well. I think he was running on adrenaline. He kept saying it all felt like a dream...his whole mission...2 years come and gone...and he's already home. He looks good.
While my parents took Jared to Royal City to Pres Christensen's house to get released as a missionary, we all went to my parents house to get ready for his arrival. Well, they took forever in Royal City visiting with people so we were antsy at home waiting for them to get back. Jeff found Jared a bike in Utah so they were excited to surprise Jared with it when he got home. Jared was all smiles when he drove up seeing us waving to him surrounding his new bike. He immediately jumped on it and rode around in his suit! Good thing he loves the bike they found for him because he bought it! haha.
I love this picture of Jared at the table with most of the kids. They were asking him questions and he was asking them questions. It was adorable. He's such a good uncle to sit and talk with all of them and actually be interested.
L-R: Chelsea (Anna from Frozen), Lindsey (witch), Preston (lego block) and Kate (Mulan)
Since it was Halloween we had to dress up still and have a party! The kids were VERY concerned about not being able to trick-or-treat since we were going to be at Grandma's house and it's very rural there. Plus, we missed our ward trunk-or-treat since it was held the night we were driving to Tri-Cities. Trick-or-treating is driving from neighbor to neighbor's house and seeing about 3-5 people because you go in and your parents chat and you get a few pieces of candy. That is trick-or-treating in Mattawa. haha. When we were growing up, we went into Yakima to my Grandpa and Grandma Wright's house one Halloween to go trick-or-treating around their neighborhood and we thought we won the lottery with how much candy we got! That was exciting for us. :) So to make it a fun Halloween, we all planned different games the kids could play like our own little carnival, and then they went trick-or-treating to the outside doors at my parent's house and shed. It was perfect and the kids got way too much candy because everyone was generous in their amounts. They had fun and it was a good night.
This picture of Zane cracked us up! He was not wanting to be part of the pictures, but doesn't he still look cute as an unhappy Farmer?!
The kids checking out their loot. After the kids went to bed we stayed up visiting and asking Jared more questions. :) We finally sent him off to bed because we knew how exhausted he must have been. We sure are glad he's home safe and sound, but so glad he went on a mission and was such a good example to all of us and my kids.
