It's time

Well, family vacation is here once again. Time for my fam (minus my sister) and Dave's fam (minus his dad) to venture off to Virginia Beach.

It's a little awkward to take a vacation in the midst of, well, your retirement-vacation, but whatevs.

On Wednesday, we drive to Cleveland.
On Thursday, we celebrate my niece's 7th birthday.
On Friday, the boys go to an Indians game.
On Saturday, we wake up at 4am and begin the road trip to the east coast.

Then it's a week filled with sand, sun, good food and too much booze.

But not my sister.

Like I mentioned, my sister has chosen not to go this year, which is...sucky. Back when she was using, she came on vacation and was AWFUL to my uncle's family. Specifically my aunt. No one was blameless in their volatile relationship (and I had my fair share of issues with my aunt as well), but Carrie crossed the line. Big time. I would have thought it would have done irreparable damage to the family, but I would have been wrong. Forgiveness is a powerful thing.

Last year, Carrie came on vacation for the first time without a single drug in her system. My aunt was not there. I think it went really well and was a great primer for this year.

This is what I woke up to at one point on our fishing trip.

Our little chef

With mom

In the middle of it all

This year, my aunt WILL be there and my sister has decided not to join us. I just don't understand it. The house we're staying in was built for two families, so there's plenty of space. Carrie would have her own bedroom she could escape to whenever she needed. Hell, she could escape to Dave's family's condo if she wanted! She's also the only of us kids with a steady job right now and she's kicking ass in the kitchen she works at. She's in such a good place. There's nothing to feel down/defensive about. So why not spend time with the family for a week?

I even suggested she just come for 4 days and then fly back home on her own. She was interested in that, so I don't know why that didn't pan out.

It will be an interesting year at the beach, I guess. I'm still looking forward to it, but... it really won't be the same.