Avynlea's coming home date was August 14th and boy was I excited when I woke up, so excited. Unfortunately pretty quickly I got a call from Avynlea letting me know that her flight from Japan got cancelled and she was put on a new flight but it wasn't going to arrive until the next day. I was so sad and so frustrated that I had to wait one more day but I rallied and sent messages out letting family know. It did impact Whitneys family who were unable to come and Alison and Bob had to be at the temple on the 15th so they couldn't come. Avynlea stayed at a hotel at the Tokyo airport with another sister missionary who was on her way home and let me know when she got on her flight to Seattle and from there to Boise.
We got to the airport before her flight was due and Kefford entertained Atticus and I guess also Ryker with one of the arcade games
At the airport we saw Ron Froer who is married to Alison's sister, turns out Leinani was on Avynlea's flight. They connected because Ron sent a text to Lainani and when they landed she found our Avynlea and they walked out together. As soon as Avynlea came out I went to her and was finally able to give her a hug, we both cried but it was seriously the best feeling to finally have her with me again. Kefford hugged her and then Ryle and Kenedy hugged her. Tyler and Ryker hugged her and she was able to meet her new sister-in-law Anna which was fun.
Natalie and Diana came with a sign and a picture of Paige, Paige was not able to make it that day but she came over later that night to see Avynlea and visit with her. Amy had to to work and was not able to come, she was bummed she couldn't.
After getting her hugs and greetings of everyone who was there we took a group picture and then headed down to baggage to get her stuff.
l-r: Tayvia, Qiana, Xander, Brit, Hazel, Brooke, Asher, Mikell, Luke, Nicholas, Anna, Ryker, Ty, Kenedy, Kelsey, Kefford, Avynlea, Elizabeth, Abby, Ashleigh, Atticus, Bonnie and Rylee
When we headed down to baggage we found Andrew and Joshua who had just been dropped off by Maren who went to find parking. I knew Andrew and Maren were coming but Joshua being there also was a really fun surprise.
Andrew, Avynlea and Joshua
Elizabeth, Andrew, Avynlea, Joshua, Ashleigh and Bonnie
Avynlea was in the car with Kefford and I and after we left the airport we took her to the temple so she could see her grandparents. We stayed in the waiting room since Kefford nor I were in church clothes and they were really happy to come out and see their granddaughter.
When we got home we surprised Avynlea with the car Kefford and I picked for her in New York. She was so surprised and so excited to see it, it was a fun moment. After that we had everyone load up and we went to dinner at Fiesta Guadalajara where Avynlea struggled a bit. I think she was overwhelmed and exhausted and she left the table a couple of times to go to the bathroom and cry. Poor thing.
Later President Bennett came by to visit with Avynlea and release her from her mission. After asking her questions about her mission and talking to her for a bit he just said well you are released. it was a bit anti-climatic and took Avynlea and the rest of us a little by surprise. Avynlea said "that's it" and he said yep that's it and told her she could take off her tags. Avynlea reached to do that and then started crying and he quickly told her she didn't have to do it right away. It honestly was a really sweet moment. I am so happy she is back home and that for a little bit my family is all together under the roof.
Avynlea, Rylee, Yardley and Kenedy taking Avynlea's car for a spin
