Camping and X-Box

I am glad to report that the Porter's made it home without any significant casualties and are looking forward to the X-Box tournament in a couple of weeks. We had a great time camping and would like to congratulate Brian and Jen on an outstanding campsite and plenty of food.

I would also like to thank Janice and Larry for putting me up in their home for the last six weeks. I truly appreciate your hospitality and will officially repay Larry by not harassing him for at least one week.

On a final note, I really missed the "other" member of the family (Greyson) not partaking in the festivities and will expect an even better tournament because of it. I hope that he got all of his studying done and wish him the best on his finals.

Signing of for now,

Tim

Fishing poles, bikes and dogs??

So is anyone bringing fishing poles? I was thinking about a little catch and release action for myself, is anyone else going to have there fishing license?

Also do we know if there are good bike riding areas??

I talked to Jenn about dogs and she is bringing both of hers. I am going to bring Ada, however I have an effective (I hope) dog handling plan for her. I will bring a bunch of those 'bad flags' that I trained her with for the electric fence. I will set those up in an area and point them out to her and then use the manual shock collar to enforce the boundary. I bet after a couple of minutes she will be set. I know dogs are a pain but I like them. However I don't think I will be taking on any responsibilities for other peoples adolescents. You bring 'em, you watch 'em.

I am not sure what other food I should bring. I was thinking of bringing some hamburger supplies, more cold cereal and a variety of beverages. I will be coming either Thursday night or Friday afternoon. Jenn is going Wed. morning, mom and dad are going Wed. night I think and the Porters are going Friday sometime. See you all there.

Reluctant Relative

So is he waiting for us to beg him to come? Okay, come on, Greyson. We REALLY, REALLY want you to be there, too. Aside from this general, crushing pressure to attend, we won't force you to take part in any activities. We'll coach the kids not to ask you to play in any games. We'll put your tent in the most remote location. We'll let you pick out the least burnt baked potato. We'll all throw our fish back in until you have the biggest one.

Can anyone else think of some accommodations to encourage our reluctant relative?

Save me a smooth chunk of ground

OK, I decided that I wanted to go camping with the rest of you. Brian promised canoe races, water toys and bike riding. How can I pass that up. So what should I bring for food. It looks like you already have a ton of food on the list. I was even thinking about "working" 10 hour days this week so I could take Friday off. I am not sure about that yet. So are any of the Porter's making it for this camping adventure??

So I need some details: What kind of campsite is this? Is there a name of this place that you are camping at and do you have directions?? Will there be other people around? What is the consensus on pet attendance? Oh, I don't know if Greyson is coming or not, he is still thinking I guess.

Shull Reunion

I was just wondering why I hadn't received an invitation to the Shull reunion? Am I not invited this year? Is it because our child acted poorly last time. Don't worry, we are leaving her home this year. I looked all around and don't think there is anywhere else to camp so Greyson and I are just going to make this trip a day trip this year.

Garden adventures

Greyson and I have decided to dig up the sharp gravel around our house and in the paths leading to the garage and game room. We plan to replace it with river rock and flagstone stepping stones like we have going to the hottub. On the sides and front of the house we want to make what they call a "gravel garden" where you plant alpine type plants that like good drainage, in the gravel. We have some boulders we will move around and hope it to be very interesting. I am also considering making a "stream bed" out of the downspout water. I am not sure how that would work yet but I thought it could be fun. We are going to have to rake and shovel out all the old gravel. If anyone wants to help feel free to stop by.

Today is our anniversary. We were talking about playing tennis tonight but that just doesn't seem special enough. However if we combined a good set of tennis followed by some back breaking gravel moving, then your talking. Nothing more celebratory then that.

We started our healthy living again today. I went for a jog with Ada off the leash. She was good except for one brief chasing of the neighbor cat. She just couldn't resist and she was outside of the shocking range before I could zap here. But she came back to me all pathetic with her head down and her tail between her legs. She knew she was being bad.

Quark brought another live chipmunk in the house 2 days ago. It was quite feisty and took us awhile to get it back outside. Then yesterday I went out into the game room and here was this stupid chipmunk again inside the building (it still had the same slobber mark on its back from the day before). I grabbed it and took it out into the bushes where it was supposed to stay and gave it a lecture about houses and cats.

-Mel

Home At Last

I think I am automatically logged on as Dad, but its really me (Mom).

So much to catch up on -- camping, tennis, rafting, the beach. What a lively bunch!!

I thoroughly enjoyed our days in Delaware which also included some Maryland, Pennsylvania and who-knows-where-else. The states are ridiculously small back there. Loved all the history stuff-- Valley Forge where the Union soldiers wintered, the Dupont house/museum, Delaware Bay and William Penn's house, and the 1+ Smithsonian museums we got into. We took the commuter train to D.C. the day after the bombings in London and it was a little unnerving to see soldiers standing at the stations with Uzi's in their hands.

I'll let Dad tell you about Vegas. Suffice it to say here that he has no desire to go back.

The reunion is definitely the second Sunday in August which is the 14th. I wonder if there might be some better places to camp near Seaquest but further up the mountain?? Anyone have time to check? Maybe I can tomorrow.

I was hoping to rent us all a house at the beach for a few days again but was waiting to see what weekends we might all have free at the same time. I'm back to work the first week in August but will have a pretty flexible schedule for the most part and am working 4-day weeks. I really like the rafting with a camp out idea. We would be willing to pitch in the lion's share on that if everyone is in to it. Is that on the Rogue or the Deschutes (sp?)

Tim kept all our plants alive but we seem to be missing Mina. I think she got mad about Greta and decided to find a different family with fewer dogs.

Got to do a few more chores likes laundry and bill paying. Hoping to see y'all soon.

XOXOXOXOXOXO
Mom

She emerges from the mist!

Yes, our long lost sister/daughter Jennifer has finally joined us once again. It is great to have you with us once again.