Each year we try to get our children and their families together at least once. This year we planned a day at the Cleveland Zoo and then time around the pool area at our hotel. Pamela’s baby shower arranged by Linda was scheduled for Saturday, August 4, so we planned around that date, with the visit to the zoo on Friday. The time together was absolutely the best. We arrived Thursday late afternoon and soon after Kimberly, Michael and Evelyn came over. They live close by so it was an easy commute for them. The kids were immediately in the pool and so they were immediately happy with the arrangements. Soon after Dan, Lesli and Thomas arrived.
They were staying at a nearby and a little less expensive hotel. Scott and Pamela arrived a short while later. Scott had taken the day off with a ticket to the PGA at Firestone. He had already had a great day getting to watch tiger Woods up close amongst other things. We decided to order in pizza after seeing another group do the same. Kimberly had brought an ice chest so we had cold beverages on hand. It was a very enjoyable evening with Michael and Evelyn swimming until we pulled them out. Kimberly got in on the swimming as well. Lesli’s brother Scott lives very close to the hotels so they were off early in the evening to visit him.
The next day Scott and Pamela both worked so they passed on the trip to the zoo.
The zoo crowd met at Bob Evans for breakfast and then we picked up sandwiches on our way to the zoo. It was very warm and quite humid so were wore down fast. The grandchildren enjoyed it, especially Thomas. Michael and Evelyn were more anxious to get back to the hotel for more swimming. None of us minded getting out of the heat. We all returned to pool side at the hotel. Scott and Pamela arrived after work and we ordered to go from TGI Fridays. After dinner they surprised me with a cake to celebrate my upcoming retirement. This was very special moment for me. Lesli’s brother
Scott’s band was playing that evening in Cleveland at a blues club so they were off early to see him play. They had arranged for us to baby sit for the evening, but when they planned a 1 am return we suggested coming for Thomas in the morning instead. This worked out well with the only fuss being around Grandma changing his diaper the first time.
Saturday was arranged around the baby shower. Kim had some errands to run so she dropped off Michael and Evelyn for the morning. We were of course happy to have them. We stayed away from the pool area and did other things together saving the swimming for later in the day. They all left around lunch time for the shower. Dan and I watched the kids, which we did pool side.
By all accounts the shower was wonderful. Linda was apprehensive as she made the arrangements at a tea room in Medina. Having never seen the place, she had to keep her fingers crossed, but the place was great as was the service. It was a small gathering as expected, but a nice size for the tea room setting. She will have a much larger shower later which is being arranged by her mother in law.
Pamela, mother to be
Carrie
Simone
Tammy
Andrea
Lesli
Pamela
Kimberly
Carrie
Simone
Simone (facing away)
Tammy
Andrea
Lesli
Pamela
Dan and Lesli had to drive back to Grand Rapids, Michigan that evening. It was sad to see them on their way. The rest of us went out for dinner at Champps which worked out well. The service and the food were excellent as was the conversation. Later we had to send everyone on their way as Linda and I were exhausted and we were facing another busy day.
On Sunday we drove to update New York for the Hammond reunion. This is Linda’s family on her mother’s side. This was held at Farmer Phil’s and her sister’s Lois’s cabins in Howard, New York. They have hosted this for several years. It is always host the Turkey Federation the day before so facilities are in place for both events. After this we continued our trip home to Ariel, spending the night at Norm’s mother’s home. It was good to arrive back to Ariel on Mondays after an incredibly busy week.
I made my third trip up the mast this summer to replace the mount for the TV antenna. I designed and built this new mount as the original was obstructing the anchor light as viewed from the rear. This was to be a simple task but one of screws was frozen in place. I finally took a saw up and cut the screw head off. I spent nearly an hour doing this as every task is much more difficult suspended in a climbing harness. As I have mentioned before I use a ascender which is typically used in Caving where the need is to climb back out after descending. This has worked really well as 
I use my own power to ascend. I am also attached to a spare halyard which Linda keeps tight using a winch. When I am done I detach the ascender and I get a free ride down as Linda lowers me. Note the tight spacing between boats. This really sharpens the skills when returning to the slip. I drop the main sail, which is visable on the deck, when going aloft. I actually attach to the main sail halyard for the climb.
