Emptying the nest. . .

Ahhhhh. . . you either dread this moment or you look forward to this moment. . . but just like death and taxes the 'empty nest' phase of your life will certainly happen.

The 'old man' and I cleared out the roost, so to speak, this past August--when we dropped our youngest birdling off at the Missionary Training Center in  Utah--where he would be embarking on a 2 year stint of service in the Philippines.

We were of mixed minds about this next phase of our lives. . .We would miss our youngest son terribly. . . and we would come back to an empty house.  Hmmmmmm. . . missing youngest son was bad. . . . but having an entire house to ourselves was. . . GOOD!  No responsibilities!  No worries!  This wasn't going to be so bad after all. . . (shhhhh!  Don't want our kids to think we don't like them or something)

Getting together with middle son and his wife who lived in Utah was great fun:

As well as oldest son who lived there too:

Middle son's wife even made a cake to mark the occasion for the departure of youngest son:

Visiting Bridal Veil Falls and other scenic places was on our to do list:

We took a hike at one point (of course I don't remember where--but there was a flat rock place where folks built all kinds of 'talismans' to mark their territory.  You know, like 'Elroy was here'  However--since our family is quite competitive--we had to build the tallest one.  (as well as the coolest):

And when in Rome. . . . well, the next stop off speaks for itself:

Since youngest son was going to be giving selfless service for the next two years--we figured we best get all the 'debauchery' in while we could.

It was early August--so it was HOT as all get out--but the flora and fauna were AMAZING:

Getting youngest son ready for the 'drop-off' was quite the event.  And last photo ops with our son were a MUST HAVE.  After all--we will not see this great young man for two years!  Oh my!

The ole' man and I were quite sad to see our youngest child go:

While middle son and his wife look pretty pleased with themselves:

This is it! We are at the Missionary training center and actually dropping our son off:

And this is the final picture I got of my youngest baby waving goodbye as he took off into the sunset.  (Or maybe into a big honking campus building)

That's right before I threw down the camera and embraced him and plastered him with hugs and kisses and embarrassed the crap out of him.  

Then I picked up the camera. . . and made the trip back to home and hearth with my hubby (sans son)

We do miss that funny guy around the place.  It is a lot quieter. . . but we're leaving a light on for him, raiding his room, and eating everything in the fridge ourselves.  Don't worry about us J-Man. . . we'll scrape by until you return and regale us with all your adventures.  And I AM enjoying your laptop!  As well as all the 'toys' you left behind. . .

For now. . . we are justing going to have to figure out how to play in our empty nest. . .