Turning Japanese

On January 26th, Cole left for the MTC.  He was scheduled to leave at 7:10 a.m. but that didn't happen.

We got a computer generated call from Delta Airlines just after 4:00 a.m. letting us know his flight was delayed for 4 hours.

What did we do with our extra time?

Sleep until 7:00 a.m. 

Once we got up, we met Emily and Steven at Crackers for breakfast.  Two of Cole's friends, Lincoln & Travis, who spent the night came along too.

Getting all the Winston he can.

Finally Cole got to the airline counter.

Next he went up the escalator.

Really. 

This is what it looks like when you're sending off your missionary for two years!

Catching more of Winston.

This is what Cole giving me a hug looked like from my perspective.

Cole hugging Em Zoe.

Quinn.

Truman.

Winding his way through security.

Everyone has to walk through the maze even though it was really slow and no one was around.

It's a very funny thing to watch.

Well, not so much fun when it's your own boy leaving.

This is his "Rocky" pose.

Okay, I just made that up.

This is the last known picture of Elder R. Cole Tipton.

See his pensive look?

After he went through security, we found out his flight was delayed another hour, so five hours total.

We understand there were two other missionaries on the flight with him so I'm sure he wasn't alone.

His missed his 1:15 check-in time due to circumstances beyond his control.

Our final entire family picture for the next two years.

Trust me, this one was one of the best.