The D with a bit of west coast drama

Due to extenuating circumstances, namely a husband and living in Seattle, I was the last child to make the trek east to visit "The D" big bad bankrupt Detroit, Michigan. It was a marvelous trip and long overdue! Blake picked me up from the airport and the minute we pulled into the driveway Matthew and Whitney had their faces pressed against the car window fighting to pull open the door and give me a hug. Yea Happiness!
As usual, I found my mom frantically running around preparing dinner for the four elders who had reached their 2 year mark and were going home the next morning. And my Dad locked in his study doing final interviews. It seems as though nothing ever really changes :)
The week was wonderful, partly due to my family and partly due to the incredible spirit of Missionary Work. What a blessing it is for them to spend the next three years in the Lord's work.
Most of what I enjoyed was just being 'home' again. Mom's cooking, Dad's teaching, Blake and now Matthew's hockey, Whitney's girl talk :) It couldn't have been a better time. I don't think I fully appreciated how much I love my Mom.

 We went to the temple with all the Sister Missionaries :)

 The beautiful Detroit Michigan Temple

 The front and back yard of the Mission Home

 We visited the University of Michigan campus. This is the law building...major relapse of Art love

 We enter downtown! This is The Depot, once a beautiful classically inspired building, now broken, burnt and abandoned

 South America, anyone? Nope, your friendly downtown neighborhood.

 Just down the street from the previous photo, the new LDS Church! 

 And behind the church a nice house. Quote from Erin "Hmm, I don't think it had fallen over last time we were here"

 Business is bustling!

 Once you get into the very small heart of downtown, it's quite nice. I loved the buildings! Major detroit plus: Awesome Architecture!

 The fam :) Across the river is Canada! Love Blake and Matthew's faces

 Just me and the boys outside the GM building. By far the nicest and biggest.