Tyler, Molly, and Spenser hit Ann Arbor around 6:00pm tonight, and as parents, we breathed a lovely sense of ease.

These kids are good drivers, all three. And they kept us informed all the way, with those new HTC Incredible Android cell phones. Tyler is so jealous

But we mostly reflect on the wonderful time we all had while they were here for their 16 days. What a treat! We got to really take Molly into our family, got to realize what a man Tyler has become, and saw Spenser in a new light, ready for his senior year at Michigan.

It’s frankly hard to see them go, but with Spenser finishing his AB degrees at UM, Tyler starting his MBA degree in Ann Arbor, and Molly looking to establish her residency and begin her classes toward what will become an advanced degree in Physical Therapy, there is so much to look forward to, and not very many years to look!

Lots of memories and futures are flooding our house at 1801. And plenty more to come.

In only five days our entire family will be back together, with Spenser and Tyler & Molly all flying in to Missoula from their respective points East. By the end of August they will all have driven back to Ann Arbor to settle in for their respective fall semesters.

As a quirk of fate, Matty is going back to Missoula the same time we travel to get the other kids, along with his new car, a Toyota Camry. He’ll have his own loan, which will begin establishing credit for him, and he’s very excited. He’ll be back for a weekend in the middle of August.

The only weird thing is that we probably won’t be going to any baseball games while the folks are home. But plenty more folks are coming to stay, at least for a part of the month of August. Swimming and camping and general relaxing enjoyment are a part of the plans. Should be a warm and bustling house, that’s for sure.

I love summer …