Off-Line

As of Sunday, me and mine are headed off to Minnesota for a family reunion. A minor family reunion this time. Only my parents and their descendants (and spouses) will be along, for a total of thirteen people, plus the possible wanderer from my sil's family. The more usual form of family reunion has my father's parents' descendants, which runs to considerably more people - five pairs in my father's generations, each with multiple children, most married with children of their own, it's quite the gathering. This one should be much quieter. It will be the first time I've seen my eldest brother and his family in three years, and I'm really looking forward to it. Kids change so much when they're little; my neice and nephew at 4 and 6 aren't going to bear much resemblence to the baby and toddler I remember.

We will have a computer along, but it won't be mine, so I don't anticipate posting while I'm gone. I may check up and respond to comments if I get on-line time, but don't count on it. I doubt we'd bring it at all, but Rob may need to do work so it has to come. I'm crossing my fingers that nothing goes wrong at the plant while he's gone - it's aggravating to have him trying to fix something long-distance while he's supposed to be relaxing - but it's still shutdown month, so I wouldn't take any kind of odds that he'll actually be allowed to have a week to himself. Typically it's between four and six weeks after shutdown ends before he gets a 48-hour period without having someone call with an emergency. Thank goodness this is his last year to do shutdown!

Aaron had his eigth birthday today - he gets three parties by the time all is said and done - one today that was just cake and presents, no guests - one he shares with his cousins at the reunion (they're all summer birthdays) - and one once school starts again so that he can find his friends to invite them. Today was a nice low-key day that mostly consisted of playing with some new toys (Bakugan), and going to Panera for breakfast and Burger King for all other meals.

And I did remember to break out the icepack after lunch - go me!