Welcome Home!

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.

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

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).

We were so happy to be greeted by so many family members

Bob greets granddaughter Ashley, down from

BYU-Idaho

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.

So fun to be hosting family in our own kitchen, although we

felt more like guests in our own home the first few days!

Granddaughters Ashley, Kate and Megan

 Jack, Evan and Kip

We really went through a lot of food every day!

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. 

Martha with grandchild #35, baby Liam (5 days old)

3-year old Lily

Liam Martin Siggard

Grandpa and Liam

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!