Gearing Up For Vacations!!

So I can't remember if I've told the blog-world about Collin's Fall Break vacation? You see, Collin's friend Noah's family has a tradition that their grandparents take them on a vacation of their choosing when they turn 13. And, since Noah doesn't have a cousin his age, as has typically happened in their past, he got to choose a friend to take. And he chose Collin. And they're going to CALIFORNIA to Disneyland and Lego Land. I have a few very strong emotions surrounding this trip....

1. TOTAL EXCITEMENT: I couldn't be more excited for Collin... it's his first plane ride. And he's going to a location that probably won't be on Byers' family radar for...well forever, due to the fact that California isn't convenient to get to by car and plane tickets there can be quite expensive. So this is a unique opportunity for him. Awesome! I hope that he takes pictures!
2. TOTAL FEAR: Dude! It's my BABY going ALL THE WAY to California... WITHOUT ME! four days, he'll be away from me, and I'll have no control. No guidance. Nothing. *eeek!*
3. TOTAL JEALOUSY: Dude! It's my BABY going ALL THE WAY TO CALIFORNIA....WITHOUT ME! I'm jealous as hell, and there is no way I can lie about it. I wanna go to California!

OK, so, for the record, the first one totally outweighs the other two (by a narrow margin). I'm totally excited about his trip, and hope that he has a blast.

So we're getting ready this evening to go on our own little trip... again with the Workman's (see how unbelievably good they are to our family?). Tomorrow, after the boys have been safely deposited at the airport, we're all going to bust a move out. I've heard so many good things about Wisconsin Dells (which, by the way, isn't California...lucky little bastards... NO... AM HAPPY *winks*), that I can't wait to get up there and be let loose with Canny to capture the surroundings. Apparently Thursday is half-price day at a local amusement/water park, so we think that's where we're headed. After that, we don't have any firm plans, except to relax and enjoy eachother's company (There may or may not be a plan in the works for a brewery run... we'll see.).

I can't wait to go away for a few days and be away from the office. It's long overdue. Of course, this is all provided that no one gets sick in the next few days. I do believe Judy and I would cry honest to goodness tears if something were to jack up our plans. I know for certain that I would.

Oh, as a further update, I have my phone back in my possession. Apparently, I must have put it on the top of my car (as Griffin was throwing a fit about his jacket lining and while strapping him into the car), as the street sweeper found it in front of a nearby restaurant, NOT the one we ate at on Sunday night. But, since the guy works nights, it was a little difficult coordinating the return of my phone, so it took place at midnight at the service desk at our local Wal-Mart. Ensuring that the children would not be motherless by the end of the exchange (trust no one!), I enlisted my friend to come with me. I bought him a beer in return for his body-guard services. But the guy was totally cool and I totally would have bought HIM a beer, too, but he was on the clock. May all the good karma he can take be with him!

Things are starting to totally look up, my friends. And I really hope they stay there, or I just don't know what I'll do. I think I've had about all the drama I can take for a bit!