Together forever!

A week ago, the much anticipated event that my family and I had been looking forward to for awhile happened: my younger (I can't say little anymore) brother Jared returned home from his mission in Nicaragua.  It's funny when I tell people who I'd told about him going on his mission 2 years ago that he's coming home, they'd say "Already?--has it been 2 years?"  But for me it seemed like quite a while since Jared just missed Kelston's birth by a month or two, and he's almost 2 now.  We'd shown him pictures of Uncle Jared, so he actually didn't frown at Jared or push him away, which is surprising for any of you who know Kelston.  Jared didn't know that my sister Lindsey and her little boy Tytyn were coming too.  They showed up in the airport after we'd been there for awhile. 

One of the highlights of the past week was going to the Portland temple with my parents, husband and all 3 of my siblings.  It was the first time we'd been with all of us together and it was a wonderful experience!  I'm so grateful that because of the temple, I can be with my family forever!

Here's me and my siblings.  Hard to believe I'm the oldest, since I look kind of small compared to my "little" brothers.  We realized it was the first time the four of us had been together for 2.5 years and my youngest brother Jacob leaves for his mission next month, so it will be 2 more years until we're altogether again. 

My mom, as always, takes the best pictures.  Loved these shots of the kids!  Kelston thoroughly enjoyed the smoothie made by Uncle Jacob!

Lindsey and Tytyn were able to stay at our house for a few days and it was so much fun having sisterly bonding time together.  I wish she lived much closer!!  It was fun to see the cousins having so much fun together too.  Jazlyn thought she was Tytyn's second mom, and he thought she was too.  I'm so glad I have a sister and that we have so much fun together.  It was sad saying good-bye!!

Isn't my little nephew adorable?

One of the kids's favorite parts of the week was going on tractor rides with Papa.  Kelston even surprised me by wanting to go.  He's becoming braver every day!  It helps that he loves his Papa!

This was such an awesome week!  I feel so blessed to have been born into a family with amazing parents that have taught my siblings and I well and then to be able to have an incredible family now with Wes and our three beautiful children!  It was fun to reminisce with my parents and siblings about growing up and watch home videos together.  I laughed more and harder than I can recall for a looong time!  I'd forgotten how funny Jared is.  It was great to see how much he'd matured and grown through the experiences on his mission and to hear about the people he'd met and how their lives had been changed through the message of the gospel.