Gavin's Home!

When we started talking about Gavin attending the Boy Scout Jamboree it seemed like such a long time off; we still had about two years before the actual Jamboree.  It didn't seem to get any closer until the beginning of summer.  Then, the time until Jamboree really flew!
I knew I would miss him - I just didn't know I would miss him as much as I did.

The morning of Jamboree (July 13) - 2:30am the morning of Jamboree.  Does he look happy, excited and a bit stressed?  Funny story - at least it is funny now.  None of us were laughing that morning.  Greg and Gavin both set their alarms for 1:30 am to get up and get Gavin to Lehi High School by 2:30 am.  Gavin's went off and he hit the snooze, but he accidentally hit the off button.  Greg changed the time on his alarm, but forget to actually set it.
At 2:30 am we get a phone call from his Scoutmaster asking if Gavin is on his way.  Yep! He is.  Luckily, everything was packed and ready to go.  Gavin dressed in record time and we got him out the door.  Greg said it was fine, they were still loading the bus, nobody seemed upset.  But, Gavin was the last one there.
During Jamboree we heard from Gavin every night by text, usually saying, "I'm okay."  A few times we got some descriptions like "It's really hot!", "Went rafting today".  As the trip went on, communications became spotty.  Gavin would text us right before bed and he was usually dead on his feet by then.  I just needed one word to let me know he was fine.  He did call twice - each Saturday.  He sounded exhausted, but happy to be there.
Kate asked every day (multiple time a day) since the day Gavin left when he was coming home.  She cried herself asleep every night for the first week.  Enoch missed Gavin too - although he didn't miss Gavin teasing him.  I'm wondering what Guard was thinking.  I know he missed Gavin because I would find him down in Gavin's room a few times.  He would be laying on Gavin's pillow.  I hope Guard understood that Gavin was coming home.
We were so excited to pick Gavin up at the airport. His flight got in at 7:11 pm.  We were there at 6:35 pm.  The boys didn't come down the escalator until 7:45 pm.  We were all quite anxious.  Luckily for us, Gavin was one of the first ones down.

There were a lot of families waiting for these boys.  A huge cheer went up when we saw the first Scouts coming down.  Enoch and Kate were cheering, I was crying and Guard went ballistic.  Greg was holding him and as soon as he saw Gavin he staring wiggling and reaching for Gavin.  Once Gavin picked up his little brother, Guard wouldn't let go.

Look at that little hand!  Guard would not let go of Gavin.  He was clenched onto him.  He threw a huge fit when we had to put him in his car seat and didn't calm down until Gavin sat next to him and held his hand all the way home.
We all missed him so much!
He looked so good, so happy.  He had some amazing experiences that I hope he will share with all of us.  The Spirit is with Gavin and it is so easy to see.
We weren't the only ones who missed Gavin.  Coal was so happy to see Gavin as well.

Gavin brought the kids some fun souvenirs.  We told him not to spend all his time looking for souvenirs, but he still managed to pick up some fun things.
For Enoch:  a t-shirt, a water battle, a giant patch, a bookmark and some patches all from The Summit, and a tie tack from the Kirtland Temple.  Enoch thought all The Summit stuff was beyond cool!

Kate got a stuffed animal and some patches from The Summit.

Greg and Guard also got some patches.  Gavin managed to trade for a Star Trek patch for Greg.  Those were in high demand!

We all wanted to hear Gavin's stories and he told us a few over cookies and milk.  It was late and we needed to get the kids to bed.  Gavin needed to get to bed as well since he had Band Camp the next morning at 7am. 
It is so good to have him home!
Now, on to the piles of extremely stinky laundry!