Something else to consider especially with kids and wife involved...
nskorick,
I'd definitely consider making all your hooks BARBLESS especially with the whole family involved. If you've ever been harpooned with a barbed hook you know how nasty removal can be. All my hooks are barbless and the ones I don't buy in that mode I pinch down the barb with my foreceps.
I also went to using the SOFT WEIGHT thats very easy to mold onto the tippet/leader and also very easy to move up or down depending on the depth to be fished. Can also add or subtract weight easily and if you're really conservative (translate cheap like me) you can always remove it at the days end and put it back into your container. I bought a goodly supply last store visit and not to single out one product; but I bought the "LOON Outdoors" brand called "DEEP SOFT WEIGHT." It comes in a small circular plastic container and is non-lead and non-toxic. I take a small pinch of it and roll it around with my thumb and index finger and then wrap it around the tippet/leader. Also like to mold it into a torpedo shape after it's on the line by continuing to roll it. Think it's a little less likely to hang up on stuff this way. Just a personal preference.
Enjoyed your story very much and especially the part about involving the whole family. Used a fly rod early on to fish but didn't actually start fly fishing till I was about 62. Whole lot of good times missed.