It's so great to be home, but it was so hard to
leave Africa! We flew home on Friday the 22nd and arrived at the Salt Lake International Airport at about 10:15 am on
Saturday the 23rd. Over 30 family members met us at the airport
with posters and cheers and lots of happy smiles.
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Four of our children were there when we came down the escalator into
baggage claim - left to right, Kelly, Betsy, Christian and Ali. Whitney
and her kids arrived moments later, and Erik's and Ben's families
arrived within an hour or two from Texas
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Lots of tears and hugs! |
Kelly's, Erik's and Ben's families were staying at our home (that's 24 of us) and Betsy's family stayed at Christian's (another 13).
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We were so happy to be greeted by so many family members |
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Bob greets granddaughter Ashley, down from
BYU-Idaho
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Many others joined us during the week, including Martha's daughter Whitney and her family, Martha's mom and sisters, plus Bob's granddaughter Amanda and her husband Nick, Ritter, Martha's daughter Ali's boyfriend Steve Ashby, Bob's brother Rick and his wife Carla, the
Dashners, the Howards, the Spilsburys and others. So fun! Party time all the
time! But it's been a whirlwind! And we had to find time to buy new cell phones, a new computer,
new clothes and a new car.
Although all our kids but Betsy and Christian
had to head home before Sunday's homecoming sacrament meeting, we had a great turnout. Lots of
our former Cape Town missionaries, senior couples we served with in
Johannesburg, and many of
both Bob's Martha's cousins.
Then we had another get-together in our home afterward.
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So fun to be hosting family in our own kitchen, although we
felt more like guests in our own home the first few days!
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Granddaughters Ashley, Kate and Megan |
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Jack, Evan and Kip |
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We really went through a lot of food every day! |
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Bob with 12 grandsons, ages 5 to 12, in their South African rugby, cricket and soccer jerseys |
Then, 11 days after we arrived, we were off to Bentonville, Arkansas to help Martha's son Cole and his wife Alyson with their new baby Liam (grandchild number 35, born on July 29th) and 3-year old Lily, for 12 days, which has been a very fun and rewarding experience.
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Martha with grandchild #35, baby Liam (5 days old) |
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3-year old Lily |
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Liam Martin Siggard |
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Grandpa and Liam |
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Lily helps Grandma in the kitchen while eating Cheetos
So that's it! The amazing African adventure has not only come to an end, but now that we are back home again, it is almost as if it had never happened but was all a dream. But for us, it will always remain a life-changing experience and one of the great blessings of our lives. So here we go, on with the rest of our lives... Thanks for following our blog!
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