Zachary's Mission Homecoming

Elder Zachary Baum came home from his mission on September 8th to the Idaho Falls airport. The plane was to arrive at 12:30 pm so my mom, the girls and I drove down early to get some balloons and other stuff we needed for the weekend. Around noon, after all the errands we were in the airport parking lot trying to find a spot when Whitney called with the news that she had learned that the plane Zack was on was coming in 15 minutes early and they were still around 20 minutes away. So we hurried and found a parking spot, ran inside, got out the balloons the welcome home sign and I got my camera out ready to shoot. Meanwhile we called my Dad and Andrew to let them know of the time change and they informed us that they were also 20 minutes away! The thing about the Idaho Falls airport is that it is so small that you can't really count on extended time between when the plane lands and when they will walk through the front door. 

At about 12:12 my mom decides she's going to go outside and see if the plane had landed, leaving me and the girls. So I'm just sitting there watching the time go by, knowing that his plane has just landed and sure enough as I'm watching through the windows up to the escalator I see a very familiar face, ZACHARY! I get all emotional and excited to see him but also very anxious because I'm the only one there! He comes down the escalator and through the doors and I grab him and hug him and then let him know that more are supposed to be here, that I'm not the only one here. Not long after that though do we see mom HOPPING through the airport towards Zack.

I think she was pretty excited! 

Doesn't he look so good! So happy!

Though I don't have pictures, my Dad and Andrew were the next to arrive, they hugged and then Sara, Liz and Whitney showed up, more hugging. 

Then shortly after that Grandpa, Kent, Chi Ann and Rachel showed up. Even more hugs. 

After all the excitement calmed down we were able to discuss the crazy event that just took place and finally get the pictures you usually take before.  

We even had Zack reenter the so we could welcome him home again. :) 

After the airport Zack wanted Mexican food so we headed to our favorite, Gringos in Rexburg. We had a really nice dinner all together asking Zack about his mission, hearing stories and spending time with everyone. Sara and I had put together a little welcome home package with candy, lists of movies he'd missed, quotes for RMs, a how to guide on asking girls out, and tickets to Disneyland and Seaworld. We informed him that he will be coming with us and Sara to Southern California the end of October. 

It was time to come home to Ashton, to the farm. 

I had worked hard the day before getting this sign ready too, the background is the Uruguayan flag. I think he appreciated that.

My mom had worked very hard in making her yard look beautiful for Zack's homecoming. It was so nice to spend some time outside hearing more about Zack's mission and to try some of his treats he had brought home. Alfajors and mate (maatay), the alfajors were delicious but I can't say the same about the mate, it's a tea that they drink down there and it tasted like hay to me.  

I guess he'll have to drink his pound bag on his own.

It was really nice having him home and just knowing that he was here, we also had a good time with Sara, Whitney and Elizabeth. 

Here is Whitney agreeing me that mate is not our favorite new drink. 

 Zack also had some important and exciting mail to read when he got home, his acceptance letter to Utah State! Zack is officially an Aggie!

The next day we decided it was a good time to pick chokecherries so that's what we did most the morning into afternoon. Across the street they were starting on the wheat fields at home. It was exciting having so much going on on the farm. 

Mom in the chokecherry tree.

Chokecherries were not the only plentiful thing this weekend. Zucchini's a plenty, what was funny was that when Jenny and Jim showed up later they had somehow heard that we needed zucchini and had brought up all of theirs as well!  You know it's September when you have these babies all over your lawn!

We took advantage of the harvest to show everyone what we go through each fall. Sara, Whitney and I went across the street to go for a ride in the combine, Sara decided to stay behind and check out the new Ranger. 

That night, the Coleman's, both Jorgensen families and the Fauvers came into town. We all went to bed after a late night so we could party hard the next day. 

The little girls enjoyed sidewalk chalk and trikes.

More zucchini, just for a little perspective on how big they are.

While playing so hard the girls got a little dirty, okay not a little, A LOT! But isn't that what you do on a farm? Get dirty! 

I guess Essie decided to wash herself off by running through the sprinklers.

That night we had a delicious dinner with the Baum and Jorgensen side, those scones I will remember forever as well as that delicious peach cobbler, oh yeah and the chicken! And that corn on the cob! Obviously it was a great dinner, mostly because it was with all our family and Zack.

The next morning I thought I would get some pictures of all of the cousins who were ready before church. It was a beautiful day and everyone looked great, even our resident Middle Eastern man. :)

Sacrament meeting was wonderful, Liz, Sara, Jenny and Whitney sang a beautiful arrangement of This is the Christ. Zachary did an amazing job on his talk and I can see a real maturity about him that is just what you would hope after a two year mission. I'm so proud of him and I'm so happy that he is home and that he served his mission so honorably. 

We had a lovely dinner after church and were finally able to have that huckleberry ice cream we've been planning on since picking the month before.

It was sad to have everyone go but I guess I was kind of okay with it since it is my favorite time of year here in Idaho and we have our Zack home. What more could we ask for?