Departure Day--July 7

Tristan--now Anziano Spencer--left early Tuesday morning, July 7, with Tim. We thought we better send him off with his favorite breakfast one last time...

Final good-bye!

After we said our good-byes, Tim and Tristan climbed in the car and Tristan waved, "Hurrah for Israel!" and pumped his fist in the air. Tim later said this was in reference to the movie The Other Side of Heaven, but I personally thought he was channeling his 5th great-grandfather Heber C. Kimball who made the same statement--with the same gesture, as we were recently informed at his home in Nauvoo--as he and Brigham Young left in a wagon to serve a mission when they were both extremely ill. Regardless, we all shouted "Hurrah for Israel" in response through our tears.

After we came back inside, we discovered Tristan had left a gift and letter for each of us in his room. Of course, that made us all cry all the more....

Italia jacket for Gavin.

Italia soccer ball for Caden.

And then, of course, we spent the rest of the day completely shell-shocked as Tim and Tristan sloooooooowly made their way to UT. (Flight extremely delayed in Las Vegas.)

Anziano Spencer using his time wisely in the airport!

A quick stop to say good-bye to the Williams!

Tristan and Tim had dinner with the Spencer clan at Scott and April's (pics apparently lacking), and then headed south. They made a quick stop at BYU and arrived very late to spend the night in Mapleton with Grandma and Grandpa Riding.

A very late-night stop by BYU to say good-bye to Benson and Lindsey.

Just a handshake for Lindsey!

Next post: The Big Day!!!!!