I've been scarce around here lately, and that's about to become the rule rather than the exception. While our kids back in Texas have been busy saying goodbye and sending them on their way, our middle daughter, Leslie, her husband Jeremy and their 9-month old son, Landon arrived back home, in western PA, yesterday. Jeremy drove a 26 foot truck, with a car behind across country, unloaded it, then went to the airport to pick up the rest of his little family. Landon was carried into our home, and tucked into bed at about midnight last night, after a very long day in airports.

He looks like the Aflac baby. Baby duck hair, blonde, that sticks straight up in all directions, with enough baby fat everywhere that you just want to grab hold of him and not let go. Then he smiles this little smile, with two little teeth just barely showing, and it cements the deal - "let the spoiling begin". Landon has the extreme blessing of having both sets of grandparents within five miles of him. Oh Jeremy and Leslie, are you in for a ride!

Every single thing this little family owns is in a box, not necessarily labeled with what's inside, and we begin this morning to find order amongst chaos. This morning, right after a stop for Brueggers Bagels, with cream cheese & chives, and good strong coffee, we're heading over.

We'll be there for the next three to ninety-nine days, however long it takes, til the place looks and feels like home, and they can find the dishes, baby food and the bills that always make the trip with you. Should be great blogging fodder, soon as I get back home to tell you about it.

Soon as they get settled we have the free garage sale and several graduation parties to attend. I'm home a whole week after that, before we head to Colorado for two weeks of visiting a grandmother / mother-in-love, then my father, then my mother and brothers, then head over the mountain to attend Mandy's wedding, then more time with my mother and brothers, then finally crawl home around the end of June.

The free garage sale is strong in the makings; the basement redo is in full swing. The car is driveable again, if still sporting a dent here and there. The major yardwork of the season is in, and there are flowers planted just about everywhere I could find a spot of dirt.

Don't want anyone thinking we're goofing off around here. I'm thinking something profound about how we celebrate the Fourth of July?

Back in a bit!