On June 9, 2010, at midnight, Elder Ryan James Thompson came home from honorably serving a mission in both Bolivia (Cochabamba) and Peru (South Lima). He was gone two years and now, his family awaits the airplane's arrival at the Salt Lake International Airport. This event has been anticipated on pins and needles for approximately 730 days (14 hours and 6 minutes)!
Granny, Deb, and Autumn ... three generations. Cool huh?
Three very silly Thompson boys awaiting the fourth ... to be arriving momentarily
One little Dowdle unable to keep his eyes open - midnight's a little late for Codes
"Ryan Pose" in honor of ... well, Ryan
Sleeping, but holding tight to the turtle balloon (his responsibility for the night) which signifies Granny's term "slower than a herd of turtles"
"Little" boys playing on the escalator to help with the nervous energy while they wait
Girls are far more calm and collected ... NOT
WAY too sexy for my hat ...
Cody's home-made posters
I hate to wake him up ... BUT I WILL! Mwahahahaha
Is he here yet?
Goof balls
The posters!
The big poster in the back says, "Welcome Home" in Spanish, and then they crossed out the name Brennan and put in Ryan. I laughed so hard. Turns out Andrew dreamed the poster and then Brennan and Marshelle made it happen.
Shawn's agenda
Oh Dave. You're the cutest thing EVER
Joey's poster - the fine print says, "I'm not very good with words". That's SO Joey.
Good job Autumn ... ahhh, normal (the poster, not the face)
Me and Rolley
There he is!!!!! [Mom screaming and running]
Now that's a happy missionary
If pictures could tell stories... this one would tell a very happy one!
Are there appropriate words for this ....? [tear falling down cheek]
My baby boy is home!
So happy I got to him first
I love my boy
Releasing the boy momentarily so others can share in the bliss
I LOVE this picture! So much love.
Shawn racing for the next hug. He's waited two years for his brother to come home. What a special bond these kids have!
And guess what? Shawn's taller and thicker than Ryan now. Ryan's making evil (very un-missionary-like) threats to his little brother now.
Ahhhhh.... Dad!
Very sweet
Brennan and Ryan, brothers who were once inseparable, haven't seen each other in 3 1/2 years! This was quite a reunion for them.
Such an amazing picture!
Ryan was blown away that Andrew grew so much. He says he thinks Andrew has changed the most.
Granny loves her first grandson (biological). What a special day for her. She is so proud!
Eric and Ryan are back together so pull up a chair and some popcorn and get ready to laugh! When these two get on a roll you laugh so hard you fall over!
Okay, another hug for Mom. Awwww ... okay, you can go hug others again.
Autumn's turn. She LOVES her big brother. They have a very special bond.
Joe-Joe! Ryan almost didn't recognize him. He's SO MUCH bigger!
Now for the best friend, David Nyman (our OTHER son). He was the only "non-family" at the airport and it Ryan HAD to have him there!
Brothers
Cody's prayed every night for two years for a brother named Ryan. He's so excited to realize that the name has a face and is actually REAL.
Ryan's mission buddy who came home a few months ago (name?)
Is there any question that this is my son? We really look a lot alike. I just complimented myself, didn't I?
Ryan, meet your new sister Marshelle. You're going to LOVE her!
Another Brennan snuggle ... can you blame him? Try a Brennan hug. It's awesome.
Holding my future missionary. It's so fun to have a little one again when all the kids are now so BIG.
Cool shot (Jen, you're so good)
Elder Thompson! Sweet.
They look like they're about to break into a quartet (awaiting the fourth)
Now you can sing!!! The Thompson brothers!
Don't forget Gavin!
The huddle
Get the hat right little Thompson
The closing prayer ... kidding. I love this picture!
Caramie and Levi couldn't make it to the airport. They're in Texas. They sent pictures of Emmy and Ronan for Ryan.
Ryan's badge. Look at this veins. He got those from ME.
Dave, the Dude!
High-Five Man!
This is how it's done...
Kapow!
Daddy and his little Dowdles
The family (David added)
More family! Yay!
The mission sure didn't knock the COOL out of Ryan
I love this picture. Although they look a little like characters from Fiddler on the Roof, don't they?
My cute family! I am so blessed.
I love my family. But we need Caramie's family to complete the shot. Sad.
Tired ... but not ready to quit
Where's that darn luggage?
I LOVE this picture. Jen is such a great photographer. What would I do without my amazing friend?
Ry and Dave. These guys met eight years ago. They've been friends ever since. And they'll be friends for life. No doubt.
And it starts (so predictable)
Yowsers
This missionary embarked with Ryan. (name?) They were obviously very close in the field.
Dad and his Thompson boys. Very surreal!
This was a great thing to happy right before Father's Day. What a great picture.
And now for the last picture....
Ryan, we love you so much. We are so incredibly proud of the mission you have served. We have LOVED being your parents and watching your progress in the mission field. You are an amazing example to your family and your service has brought us all blessings. We can't tell you enough what a wonderful son you have been. We are excited to support (love more than money- ha!) you through the next years of college, marriage, children, practice, and ... jumping out of planes (if you absolutely must). We love you son!!!
