Lo-Lo Returns

 My sister Lauren got back from her mission to Argentina a couple weeks ago.  It is hard to believe 18 months has already come and gone.  I'm sure it seemed fast to us being at home; but, being out of the country, learning Spanish and a new culture made for a long and challenging 18 months for Lauren.  We were happy to be able to be at the airport to welcome her home!  We were all a little nervous we were going to miss her big arrival because parking took forever and then we had to figure out where she would come out.  Luckily, she stopped at the restroom and then waited for another missionary on her same flight before she came up.  I think we ended up waiting at least 30 minutes before she made her grand appearance up the escalator.  Gave us plenty of time to get the sign just right and time for Tate and Blake to run around!

Safe and sound into mom and dad's arms . . . so sweet.

 All smiles after that.

 Blake was like a happy mad-man running around the baggage claim area.

  Blake was only about 3 or 4 months old when she left.  How he has grown since then.

 Tate was just learning to talk when Lauren left and couldn't say "Lauren" so the nick-name "Lo-Lo" came about and it has just stuck.  Even though we have talked about Lauren these past 18 months and looked at pictures she sent, Tate was still a bit shy when he first saw her.  That didn't last too long though.

 Uncle Mark and Lauren.

 Hooray, she's home!

 Baby #3 is excited that she will be here for his or her big arrival too! 

 Everyone came over to our house for a welcome home lunch-Cafe Rio Style.  It was nice to have a chance to visit with her before the family took off to Hawaii (leaving us at home . . . in the rain . . . so sad).

 Yep, back to normal.