Jonathan isn't just my cousin. He's more of the little brother my parents would never give me for Christmas. You see, while my aunt and uncle were at work during the day, Jonathan was the little brother I got to tease and play with. We made snowmen together, using my mini teacher easel I "taught" him math and how to write his name, and we watched every Disney movie together. You could say we had a pretty posh childhood. As we got older our families still went camping together (where Jonathan learned to become a pyromaniac), we saw each other every Sunday at Grandma's house, and we planned lots of cousin get togethers. After I married T, Jonathan and Tyler got into guitar-playing together and Jonathan taught Tyler some tips and tricks about wood-working.
When Jonathan left on his mission we were so proud, but we missed him and his hilarious personality terribly. Over the past two years, we'd refer to many of Jonathan "isms" and laugh over some of the emails he sent home. The day Jonathan got back from his mission a couple of weeks ago was a happy one. T and I were so excited for Rylee to meet her "Uncle" Jonathan for the first time at the airport.
We all made signs the Sunday before he came home and waited with anticipation to see him come down the escalator at the airport. We were the crazy family at the airport screaming and yelling when he finally came in sight. After many hugs, we handed Rylee over to Jonathan (who ended up holding her until we all loaded into our cars. She was happy has a clam being in his arms).
^ ^ Rylee and Grandpa waiting for Jonathan ^ ^
^ ^ Rylee's sign for Jonathan ^ ^
^ ^ Karen was so excited and moved too fast for us to get a good picture! ^ ^
^ ^ Uncle Mike and Elder Hoffman ^ ^
^ ^ So excited he's home! ^ ^
^ ^ Such a good-looking missionary ^ ^
^ ^ That half grin just kills us. It's like she knows how much we're wrapped around her little finger. ^ ^
Welcome home, Jonathan!
