Grapple this...

Yes, Ryan was eccentric...

Let me tell you about the time we all went to Myrtle beach for summer vacation.

We decided pretty late in the season that we wanted to actually take a vacation that year (2006, I think).

I mentioned it to some friends at one of Gary's Middle School track meets.

I wanted to go late June, early July ...

That was the only time that would work for all of us...

I was looking for a cabin or cottage - hopefully on water.

Well, timing was perfect because another Mom just happened to have a time share in MB that they were not using this year and - though they had already traded - she though there might be an availability in the development.

And there was - and we got the friends and family discount:)

So we were on our way.

CareBear and KB....

G-Man....

Myself....

LDboy.....

Ryan...

We took three cars...

We had not planned it that way.

The plan was to take my car and Ryan's. They were the two in the best shape.

And Ryan and LDBoy had a business partner/friend in the area so they could do a little work while down there.

The day before we are ready to leave, Ryan decides that he and LDBoy should consider not going because of some business venture....

Needless to say, I am pretty pissed.

"Maybe we will fly down in a couple days..." NOT - unless you are flying back, too.

"Maybe we can put this off a week..." NOT - it's a time share...
"Maybe we can work down there.." NOT - it's vacation

Maybe you had better figure out something...

Because this is a "family" vacation, Ryan, and you do not get to spoil it for us.

If you do not want to come with us, Ryan, fine, but do not try to guilt LDBoy into not coming....

It was planned, for crying out loud....

We need this....

And we needed to take two cars...

Whether there were 4 of us or 6 of us....

We would not all fit in one care with all of our stuff....

So I pack a lot...sue me...

Change of plans... - let's get CareBear's car into the shop for a much needed maintenance visit.

Not how I planned to spend the day before, but whatever....

We are on our way...

LDBoy and Ryan - after much back and forth - and a lil whining - decided they would be 12 hours behind us...

Which actually turned out to be 4 hours because they travel 3x as fast as we do...

This was supposed to be a relaxing week...

And it sort of was...except for Ryan's whining about lack of internet and amount of hours LDBoy was NOT working on this new deal...

It's vacation, that's V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N.

Sand, beach, sunscreen....

The boardwalk....

Downtown MB....

Swords and knives and guns and grappling hooks...

Everywhere....

For sale.....

What part of "family" vacation did you guys not understand?

I went to bed early that night - just because I was exhausted...

Driving, shopping, unpacking....

What night, you ask?

The night I was awakened by voices telling Ryan that he should not try to hoist his new grappling hook up onto the roof so he could climb up to the balcony outside his room....

I was out of that bed faster than Ryan could say "Aaaarrrrgh!"

Give me that grappling hook...

No Buts, buster...

I know its yours...

I know I am not your Mom...

I know you are an adult...

Just hand it over....

You'll get it back when we are ready to leave...

Last night we were at Whiskey Dick's and CareBear mentioned that we would all need a vacation by summer.

Tearing up, she says:

If LDBoy moves to Belize with Aaron (yeah, more fallout) we should all meet up in MB and rent a condo - one with a grappling hook, Mom...'cuz you know that would be fitting and all...

Way to lighten the mood, CareBear:)