New Jersey Shore, September 2010

August 30, 2010. This year we headed up to the beach for the last week of summer break; we didn't want to take Robert out of school now that he's a first grader! One of the early requests was to have Harry read to the kids. Luca (sorry, I was very remiss in Luca photos) is still a bit young to really enjoy that pleasure -- just wait until next year.
This year's excitement was Earl, a Hurricane brewing off the coast as we drove up to the beach. Earl was pretty big while far off the coast and the news coverage made sure we kept a close eye on the storm. Fortunately, Earl took a turn to the east after grazing the North Carolina Outer Banks. September 2, 2010.
September 2, 2010. I was a little under the weather while we were there so I mostly watched all the fun from the front porch of the beachfront house -- not a bad way to spend a vacation. Sarah, Robert, Sebi, Luca, Tom, Oriana, Elle and Harry really enjoyed the beach and most of the weather (well, actually Harry was more of front porch vacationer as well). I did get to go with Sarah, Robert and Sebi to the playground...
September 2, 2010. September 2, 2010.
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Robert had fun hunting minnows from the back bay beach part of the playground.

The next day, Friday, the Hurricane passed by (about 150 miles off the coast), so it was gray and windy -- but we had very little rain, and the wind was not any worse than last year. The surf started the day pretty calm, then built up into some nice chop. The kids obeyed the life guards and stayed on the beach, the surfers tried to catch some waves early on, but eventually came in. It was really impressive how much of a non-event Earl was. We are, of course, very happy for that outcome.

September 3, 2010.
September 3, 2010. September 3, 2010.
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September 3, 2010. Luca, I'm sorry this is the only photo I got of him, seemed to enjoy the house as much as the beach. But he did manage a couple naps in laps on the beach.

Sebi, was too busy playing on the beach to nap there. But occasionally the nap caught up with him.

The next day, Saturday, was our last there. As expected, the weather was gorgeous again and the surfers were out early trying to catch the tail end of Earl's surf.

September 3, 2010.
September 4, 2010. September 4, 2010.

Vacation notes: