Pie, Ice Cream and Backyard Entertainment

Our Twenty-fourth of July Sunday started out with Natalie helping her Grandpa tear off a chain--leaving only THREE DAYS until Ben comes home!!!!

After Sunday dinner, the family piled into the cars and drove to Jeff and Sarah's home so Jacob and Laurie's family could see where they live. Eli wondered what all the commotion was in his bedroom.

The kids loved playing with his toys.

Eli loved showing off his new trick of climbing up on top of the living room table and dancing around.

He was so pleased with himself being the center of attention--after all, it is his house, too!

Hostess Sarah made some delicious pies for us to enjoy.

Glen made homemade ice cream that was delicious paired up with the apple pie.

The kids really loved the ice cream!

Jeff did a great job entertaining the little people by throwing beanie babies up into the air for them to catch.

Croquet was another backyard favorite with the group.

Everyone had a super, great time at Jeff and Sarah's house!!

The only thing to do after that was put on cute pajamas and go to bed.

Sleep tight, little grandchildren.

Four Grandkids Have Come To Town

They have arrived. Got here this morning. Ate French toast breakfast.

Tore off a chain link.

Waiting for Ben's arrival.

Looking cute and happy to be here.

Girls Doing What Girls Do

This is what Glen's countdown chain looks like now--only FIVE more days until Ben gets home from his mission!!!

The girls sprang into action getting posters made to take to the airport to greet our returning missionary.

Brooke's inspiration for her poster came from the invitation that was sent out inviting friends and family to listen to Ben speak in church. There was a picture of Ben standing in very deep rain water in the street and then Ben's favorite picture of him holding his hand out to touch a monkey.

If you look closely, you'll see on the right side of her poster there's Ben standing in water. In the middle of the poster is Ben holding out his right hand touching the monkey, which you'll recognize has a curly tail. To the left of the poster is the tree that is behind the monkey in the picture.

It's a great likeness to the photos, I must admit!

Sarah got busy making a sign for the garage. Look for a future post on how that turns out.

Rebecca made the following posters, written in Malay, which she hopes say what she thinks they say...

"Welcome home!"

and "Watch out ladies, Ben's home!"

When I went to get Caroline after her nap, I found she had wrapped the sheet up all around her baby that she carries everywhere she goes. She was taking such good care of that little doll and had her wrapped up just like she's seen her mommy wrap up Spencer.

So precious! She's going to do a great job raising a future missionary some day.

A Chain From the Past and a Few Links In the Present

This is Ben with the countdown-to-Abe-coming-home-from-his-mission chain 7 years ago.

This is what Ben's countdown chain looks like now.

It's gotten sooooooo short...finally...!!!

Way back when Glen had that thing winding all up and down and all around the family room, I felt like the time would never come when it would be whittled down to just a couple of weeks' worth of links donning the top of the fireplace mantle.

Ben has certainly grown a foot or more since that picture was taken.

He turned 19 in the MTC. He turned 20 on his mission. And he turns 21 today while still on his mission. Here's a big shout-out to our birthday boy who will be coming home a full-fledged man.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEN!!!