{Coming} Home

Matt is one of seven Woodland children- there are four boys and three girls among his siblings.  This past weekend marked a momentous event in the Woodland family when Matt's younger brother Darren {the fourth boy and sixth of seven total} returned from his Mission in the New York, New York South Mission!

Needless to say, it was time to party- and despite most likely being a tad overwhelming for a man who has just spent the past two years of his life serving the church we were determined to celebrate this huge personal and family milestone!

A few statistics from the past two years of Darren's life:

• 720 days of waking up earlier than ever before!
• 1460 hours of Scripture study before 8am every day
• Two nephews and one niece born to his siblings in his time away
• One brother married on the day he entered the MTC
• 48 Handwritten letters from his big brother Matt
• 1048 emails, packages, and other goodies sent his way by all eight of his immediate family members {not to mention spouses and kiddos!}
• Approximately 20 different "roomates" {or companions as they are called in the mission field}
• Multiple different moves throughout New York's Five Boroughs
• ONE NEW LANGUAGE!!!

Needless to say this was one hardworking and faithful guy- and we and countless others are so blessed to have him in our lives!

First moments off the plane 

First hug from mom in 24 months...

All of the kids had these darling shirts that say, "What's Happening?"
in Spanish when Darren arrived!    

Darren with all nine of his nieces and nephews!

The whole airport crew
{Minus Matt and Kelly-but we got there eventually!}

 The next day, we had a big party at the park with lots of carnitas, beans, and rice- it was muy delicioso!!

Sisters and babies

YUMMY Carnitas!!!

The kids were in HEAVEN!

With trees to climb!

Playing DESSERT peek-a-boo

Love the Dresser Family!

Cute babies and Cute Aunt Barbara

Now doesn't that look fun?!?

So, you may have noticed that Darren wasn't really IN any of these pictures?? That is because my sweet father-in-law is the Bishop in the local Spanish Ward in Sacramento, and now that Darren is fluent he was chatting away with all of the members of that Ward! He didn't even get to eat!!

Later that evening we also celebrated another HUGE milestone, our nephew's first birthday!

Big sister showed him how to open all the presents too-
what a great helper!

At the end of the weekend, we were so glad that we had made the quick trip to welcome Darren home, see all TWENTY-THREE of our immediate Woodland family members! 

And, as a final door prize, my parents also gave us a super-awesome desk for our office.  Getting it back to San Diego was no small feat-but I think it really helps us to look classy!

Stay Classy San Diego!