My older brother, Tanner, flew back to California today. He was here a little over a week to shoot a short film. It was a great visit. He has been gone a lot, what with the shoot and so many get togethers with friends. Yesterday he didn’t book anything. Paul and David took the day off too and it felt like Saturday.

Paul made everyone waffles on his new, industrial (true story) waffle maker. Torey and I took Lydia for a haircut and sat in the nearly empty salon chit chatting with the stylist and oohing and aahing over the Bird – classic girl time. Paul did a lot of leaf removal with some help from me and the kids. Tanner and David played a lot of Settlers. Later, Torey made cookies with all the children. Just as I was coming in to make dinner Tanner announced that he wanted to buy it. We ordered Chinese. While Paul finished up outside I did some work on the Carnival essay. Torey and David drifted in and out giving input and then finally something clicked and I hammered out the ending.

After dinner I played Settlers with Tanner, David and our friend, Dan. Paul and Torey threw the kids in bed and then all the adults, with the exception of Pau,l played several mad rounds of Dutch Blitz.

It was a great, slow, lazy day.

After Tanner left today I started crying. The Big Kids gave me hugs.

I miss my brother.

Safe travels, Tanner. Come back soon.