What a "welcome home" we received today.

It has been a time of celebration as we enjoyed a very special "homecoming weekend".

We woke up on Sunday morning to a spring snowstorm. What a fun day for our homecoming...it feels like Christmas in April!

We left for sacrament meeting and knew we would come back home and enjoy having missionaries over for an open house after the meeting.

We were blown away by how many returned SAJMers there were to sing the beloved mission song during the program. We shout out to all our missionaries across the globe. This group is representing over 400 missionaries from 32 different countries. You are all remembered and thought of every day.

Missionaries and families were invited to our home afterwards. Of course the South African flag was welcoming them all.  OUr grandson Tagg arrived with his special mission tag on his jacket pocket. (below)

 Of course some South African cookies were made by Suzi Olson- who never misses a chance to make a SAJM gathering even more special! *Suzi is the mother of RM Jon Olson.

Standing room only.

Lots of malva puddings, staged and ready to serve.

Many treats to choose from in the dining room.

Nick Menedez and wife Lindsay, Jonny Smalley and darling girlfriend!

Love seeing Jacoby Stephens- our first Assistant that was called once we arrived!

Loved having our family with us.

Janson Worton and Jon Olson catching up with PD and our newest grandson Bennett.

Sherrie Allred and Suzi Olson made this event possible with all their kitchen help! Thanks a million.

Of course homemade malva pudding was such a hit.

Loved seeing the Barton's and the Thompson's.

Catching up with Sean Pickup and girlfriend was such a special moment for us.

Nathan Lefthand catches up with President Dunn

Glad this group found a place to sit and eat.

Janson Worton

Tymothy Shaw (he served in London, but is from South Africa and came to visit)`

Loved seeing Joe Koyle and meeting his cute girlfriend

Great to see Ashlan Neuenschwander again.

Bastion Loveless

Spencer Smith and Bridger Sylvester

Nick and Lindsay Menendez

Liz and Bob Cowan came and we loved having them with us.

Tanner Clegg has as much hair as I do!

Nathan Quigley

The Whitesides Family

Suzi Olson and Jon (so appreciated Suzi's help with the food!)

Love seeing Taft Asay

It feels so good to have our missionary sons in our real home. Taft, Camron, Quinn and Jace!

Thanks to my mom and Emi for helping everything to go so smoothly.

Michael Peterson

Austin and Carly Allen came all the way from Portland to attend.

Mr. and Mrs. Shane Wadsworth
So fun to meet this great couple!

So fun to see Troy Downs, show is going to BYU Idaho and is engaged to get married this summer.

Loved meeting Elder Higg's parents- who is still on his mission!  They were so darling to come and be with us and send us flowers to welcome us home. Loved meeting them and this is a shout out to Elder Higgs. We loved meeting your darling parents.

Spencer Smith, Bridger Sylvester and Austen Allen and Carly. The Allen's drove 10 hours to be with us all today! We love them all so much.

What a pleasure to have The Thompson's join with us today. We loved serving together with them in our mission office.

Our son Brady meets and visits with Taft Asay.

Grand-daughter Lydia liked the cookies.

Nathan Lefthand and parents and Nathan's darling fiancee.

We love the Olson's and so appreciated their help last night and today. 

Ashlan Nuenshwander, Jace Rileu, Quinn Jackson and Joe Koyle made us so happy to be able to re-connect with.

Son-in-law Chase and Gram...Thanks for all your help.

Looks like Bastion Loveless fell asleep during the open house!

Loved getting a picture with Elder Peterson

The Cowan's are such great friends and we love that they served and lived in South Africa for 3 years right before us.

One more pic with Austin and Carly Allen before they started their 10 hour drive home.

Love this friend Sherrie Allred- can't wait to really catch up with her. Thanks for all your help today. What a partner she has been in this mission experience.

Could not have done all of this without their help. Thanks Chase and Emi......and Reagan.

Ladt but not least- Tanner Todd and Tanner Clegg. They both get the award for most hair growth. We love these two and are so thrilled to re-connect.

Does Jonny Smalley go together with this cute girlfriend or what??? So fun to meet her and see Jonny again.

Our last visitor for the day was Bishop Tom Bennett who came by to bring our mission plaque. What a true mark of crossing the finish line. 

It all started with an open house on Friday night, where the first fun surprise was having President Dunn's mom fly down from Oregon to surprise us. What a fun first guest.

This is definitely a weekend to remember!