Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.
-Mark Twain Innocence Abroad

Now we're REALLY home...

We made it up to Prescott after a fun night with our family. It was great to be reunited with all of them at the airport and then to have a nice dinner afterwards with delicious food and even better conversation. We are thankful for the the time that we served in Costa Rica and will enjoy reflecting on the memories we made there. For now, we are enjoying opening the blinds and dusting off the furniture....we are truly home!

Welcome Home Dinner.....

We were swept away to Royce's house after the airport. It was great because we got to see Brian there (he wasn't able to go to the airport because of a project at his office). It was the perfect setting to sink our teeth into some great Honey Bears BBQ, something that we had really missed in Costa Rica, and get caught up with our children, grandchildren, and friends. Kellin.....Amy, Brian, and Emily.... Sarah Lindsay....

Sandi with Max (Sarah's little boy)....

Elder Munroe, Hermana Munroe, Brian, and Trevor....

Brian and Royce....

We're Home....

We arrived back to Phoenix on October 18th and were greeted by our family and a few friends. It was wonderful to be home and even better to be with our loved ones.

Here is a picture that we snapped of our family as we exited the security point. We made them wait a few more minutes for the hugs to begin so we could capture this moment. Mitchell and Kellin....

Marryn with a cute "Welcome Home Grandma and Grandpa Munroe" sign....

Grandpa and Rachael.....

Little Ez was excited about "his" sign.....Ez, Kellin, and Jackson.... Michael and Kathleen....

Waiting and waiting....

The boys were ready....

The whole group.....

Hermana Munroe and Michelle....

Elder Munroe and Sandi.....

Airport Bound....

The office Elders picked us up from the Hampton Inn and took us the airport.

Hermana Munroe waiting to get all the bags checked in....

.....and.....we we're off!

Farewell Dinner...

We had a nice evening with President and Hermana Galvez in their home our last night in the mission.

San Pablo Taxi....

We knew that we would have to go to San Jose a few days prior to our departure for the United States. We decided to hire a taxi from San Pablo to take us. We found Rodrigo, a taxista from our area who had a big enough SUV, and we asked him to take us. It worked out great! He helped us get there comfortably and then we stayed in a Hampton Inn near the airport for 3 days.Elder Munroe and Rodrigo taking apart the luggage puzzle...

Pizza Night...

We went to one of our favorite pizza places in town, Emilius Pizza, to celebrate our last night in Los Santos. We invited Honorio, Maria, and their family to go with us. It was fun to spend time with them and Emiliu even picked up the tab as a "thank-you" for all of the business we have given him during our time in Los Santos. Here is Emiliu busy making pizza.... Jason and Neilyn getting ready to chomp down on some pizza.....

Maria and baby Neymar.....

Mario....

The whole group.....

Makin' deals....

We had a few things that needed to be sold before we left Costa Rica. We got rid of "odds and ends" during the last few months but a couple things needed to be finalized in the last couple of days. Our internet card that is tied to the electrical company of Costa Rica, ICE and ....most importantly, our car!Here is Elder Munroe making a "deal" with Paco Mora as he hands over the internet card....

Here are Elder Munroe and Guido Mora (Paco's brother and our landlord) finishing up a deal on the car.

Last times....

Our last morning in Los Santos, San Pablo, Barrio Rosario. We paused to take one last picture in the front yard of our little house. Our friend Rita Meza, Maribel (her mother), Max & Lara (her children), and her brother and wife-to-be, all stopped by to say good-bye.

One last meal at one of our favorite joints in town, Leco's.

Elder Munroe had to sink his teeth into one last Dos Pinos Ice Cream bar. Tasty!