Every rose has its thorns

As good as the weekend was in most ways (good food, visits with friends, successful shopping, walking the streets, etc.), there was just one major bummer (other than Mädchen having a cold that made her occasionally cranky): my brother and his family were all down with the flu (which has been rampant this season), so we didn't get to see them at all. As bummed as we were (it was one of the main reasons we went up there), when you only live 4-5 hours away it's not as big a deal as living across the Atlantic. And I'll say this--based on how folks have been feeling, if not seeing them ends up keeping us reasonably healthy, it will have been well worth it!