Danny Is Home!

My brother Danny just returned home from his mission on Friday. This was one of our main reasons for traveling to Utah and I'm so glad we were able to be here to celebrate his return. My entire immediate family was able to be at the airport on Friday afternoon to welcome him home. He had told us in an email a couple of weeks ago that he didn't want any big signs to announce his return. So, my mom decided to scale back her grand plans and we made a sign for Marshall and Benson (his two nephews) to hold and we got a balloon for Bridget. Here we are waiting at the airport, just so excited to see Elder Toney.

This is Marshall's sign. Danny went to the University of Utah for his freshman year, this completely devastated Richard. However, he had a change of heart on his mission and decided to transfer to BYU, hooray!

Love this picture, my parents are beaming and the boys aren't paying attention. My mom is holding Benson's sign. Benson was born while Danny was on his mission, hence the phrase at the bottom. My mom came up with it; I thought it was quite clever.

And here we are. Our kids look thrilled.

And finally, the moment we had been waiting for...

My mom just couldn't contain herself and wait for him to come to her, great picture! And cute Danny, I just love his smile!

Danny hugging my Dad; poor Jordan got punched in the nose with one of their arms.


Danny and Kevin. Kevin will be 18 in July and grew many inches while Danny was gone. Danny was shocked to see him and made multiple comments about how tall he's gotten.



Kudos to Richard on all of the airport photography. He got some great candid shots. I just love everyone's smiles; we were so happy!


All of the siblings, spouses, and grandkids, minus Bridget who had had a rough afternoon at the airport and was inside asleep. :)


Just the siblings, our first time all together in two years. We are SO happy! I love my brothers!

And just for a fun comparison. Here we are two years ago the night before Danny left on his mission. We made sure we stood in the exact same order. Kevin and Jordan have grown up so much! Ben and I basically look the same and my goal is to look exactly the same when Jordan gets home from his mission in six years. :)


And here's cute Stacie; the devoted girlfriend who waited two whole years for her missionary. She came up to our house and was here when he walked in the door after he had been released. They look pretty happy to be back together wouldn't you say?!


Anyway, we had a fantastic weekend. From 4:30 pm on Friday when Danny got home until 6:00 am on Sunday when Richard flew back to Milwaukee we were all together; in-laws, grandkids and all. It was a weekend of fun, great stories from Danny, lots of family, and tears rolling down our cheeks from laughing so hard. Simply a wonderful weekend, and one I will always remember!