ocean city

This year we did something different for Thanksgiving. Instead of heading down to Va., we rented houses in Ocean City. Mom, Dad, Becky and Ari came up from Va., Dave, the girls and I, Joan, Dan, Maithili, Kishore, Ashwini, Julia, and Madeline came in from Philly, and Doug, Vicki, Carley and Chris came from W. Chester.

It was really a lot of fun. Warm at the beginning of the week, but chilly later one, and there wasn’t much open, but it was still lovely. We spent time on the beach, walking the boards, and then the day after Thanksgiving kicked off Christmas shopping on Asbury, where they had a parade.

On our last day we also spread some of Nana’s ashes into the ocean and along the beach. It was one of her favorite places, and the last time we were all there was for her birthday last October.

The Thanksgiving crew!
The trip wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Manco & Manco’s!
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In October Nana rented a beach house in Ocean City again to celebrate her birthday. The house was beautiful and huge and was right on the boardwalk. The girls and I came down on the weekends but most everyone else stayed the entire week. The summer season was definitely over, so there weren’t many stores open, and we went to Wonderland on the last night it was open, but we still enjoyed the time.

Kishore, Ari, Ashwini and Lauren on a deserted boardwalk
Manco and Mancos!
Last carousel ride of the season
cool kids with their Kohrs
Nana celebrating her 97th birthday!
Enjoying some beach time and soaking in the sun
One day all 5 siblings were there to celebrate
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This summer we took our Ocean City vacation a little later than usual and were there the second week in August. We had an unusually laid out house, but it was ocean front with a big porch, which is where we spent a majority of our time.

We had almost a perfect weather week, with just one day of rain.

I’m still on crutches, and using them on the sand is nearly impossible, so each day I traveled to the beach like a royalty, in a giant wheeled throne (nana and I shared the same moving throne!). Poor Becky ended up being the one who did most of the pushing. She certainly got the workout that I was missing.

Becky wheeling me in my beach throne!

The house was a ways from the Boardwalk, and we didn’t really want to spend much time there anyway since we’re still in the throws of this pandemic, so we ventured up there only a few times. We hit Wonderland one night so the kids could go one some rides.

  • Vicki and Lauren on the balloon ride
  • Ari and Lauren on the boats
  • wheelchair twinsies!

Lauren and Ari were of course close as thieves. I love that they’re such besties and hate that they don’t get to see each other as much as they want.

But mostly we spent time at the beach, which was just what we all needed!

It was a great week!

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My Nana turned 95 of October 28th. She had wanted to have a big party, but since that’s not possible this year, instead we all went to the beach! Nana rented the family four houses close to each other in Ocean City and we all spent time together outside – on the beach or on porches. Since the girls are now in in person school, we went town for a few days, came back for school, and then went back down.

Unfortunately we only had one nice day of weather – pictured below – where the girls were able to get in bathing suits and play in the sand.

The rest of the time was cold and rainy, but we still enjoyed it as much as possible!

  • one day we were the only people on the entire boardwalk!
  • hot chocolate on the boards

We had two mini “parties” for Nana, since not everyone could be there the entire time. One night we had one at our beach house with cupcakes and balloon hats.

  • Maithili, Dan, Vicki, Doug, Mom
  • The birthday girl!
  • in a balloon hat, of course!

Our girls and Ari had to do virtual school while they were there, which was somewhat challenging. Who wants to work while you’re at the beach?! But Ari did participate in Lauren’s class Halloween party, which was pretty fun.

Freeze dance Halloween party

While the weather wasn’t great, we all tried to spend time on the beach, especially Nana who love to just look out at the water.

  • Nana in her happy place!

On the last night we celebrated Dad and Julia’s birthday, which are both the first week in November.

Happy Birthday, Julia and Dad!

It was really a fantastic week, filled with family and celebration and reflection. While we couldn’t have a big bash this year, in my opinion this was so much better. We all got to see each other, which hasn’t happened in a while, and we all got to be in one of our favorite places. We were able to spend time together, and alone, and really appreciate where we are right now – which is not where anyone expected to be, but also finally together at last.

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My family did their Ocean City week a little later this summer, in mid-August. The girls and I visited for just a few days, Saturday-Tuesday, which was the perfect amount of time. The house was further south and about 11 blocks from the start of the boardwalk, which was actually really nice. It was really quiet and the house was waterfront with a huge porch, which was lovely!

  • Lauren in the dunes
  • view from the front porch

The weather was also great for all but one of the days we were there. The girls tried boogie boarding for the first time and loved it.

We went up to the boards just twice, which was perfect. Over the last few years the seagulls have gotten really bad, so this summer they brought in a falconer to keep them under control. When he’s on the boards with his falcon, the seagulls keep their distance, meaning we could actually eat food outside, which normally you can never do.

  • the falconer and his bird
  • Mack’s and Monco’s on the boards, without seagulls thanks to the falcon
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We had our annual trip to the Jersey Shore over 4th of July week. Always a fun, busy, family-filled this weekend. This year Eleanor and Lydia joined us for the week. Along with Doug, Vicki, Quinn, Carley, Mom, Dad, Becky, Ari, and Nana – it was a full house. The weather was nice for the start of the week, but got overcast and rained for the last few days, so we had to find ways to entertain ourselves.

Ari and Lauren as the “cool kids” with colored hair. These two were pretty much inseparable the whole week. 

We hit Wonderland or Playland almost every day. 

Lauren and Sophie with the boardwalk parrots. For a hefty price you can hold these birds – Nana was nice enough to indulge the kids 😉

Sandcastles! 

The dynamic quads – Sophie, Eleanor, Ari, Lauren

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The girls have had a great summer – and it’s not over yet! In June they spent a week with Dave and the Sharps on the boat in the Chesapeake. They got to swim every day and explored haunts of Dave’s childhood. 
The girls jumping off the side of the boat. At the beginning of the summer Lauren wouldn’t even swim in the water and by the end of the week she was jumping off the side of the boat. It was pretty amazing. 

 Roasting marshmallows on the beach. 

The girls riding along behind the boat in the dinghy.

Kayaking in one of the many coves.
And then in July the girls came with me for a week to Ocean City for the Coughlin/Rainer annual summer vacation. Fresh off the boat (ha!), the girls were expert swimmers with no fear jumping into the water. 
Nana with her granddaughters. 

Pap Pap teaching Sophie how to fly a kite. 
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Unbelievably we’re almost half way through the summer. We’ve packed it with a lot of trips and friends and tried to enjoy every last second.

Over Memorial Day weekend we headed to The Sharps’ house in MD with friends John, Crystal & Bella and Pete, Leslie & Hudson.

Here’s he crew picking’ crabs.
And of course there was sailing. Here Sophie is helping John steer. 
The first weekend in June we headed down to DC to meet John, Crystal and Bella again. 
 
Here we are in front of the White House. This is as close as they would let us get. But we did see Obama come in on his helicopter, flanked with two others, and land on the lawn. He had just given the eulogy at Bo Biden’s funeral in Delaware. 
Dave and Sophie also spent a week together on the boat sailing around Maryland with our friend Carl and his daughter Gianna.  
Sophie and Gianna. 
We’ve spent a lot of time down in Maryland. The Sharp’s house is only a 2 hour drive from our house, and Rock Hall is a town that the whole family loves. Lots of time on and in the water, bike riding, and of course crabs! 
We have two kayaks down there, and Sophie loves to go out for a spin the bay.

The girls acting goofy on the beach.

Benson has been getting a little braver with the water. He’ll wade in about chest deep – but still prefers to sleep on a towel on the beach. 

Dave and the girls. 
Aleen also came for a long weekend visit. We went to Morris Arboretum which was in full bloom and beautiful. 
Selfie
 And when we can’t make it to Maryland, there’s always the baby pool in the back yard. Hardly a substitute, but the girls love it anyway. 
The girls and our neighbor Maya.

And we just got back from our annual 4th of July week in Ocean City, NJ. This year the extended family was there as part of the year long celebration of Nana’s 90th birthday. 
All of the July birthdays: me (36), Maithili (30), Addison (16), Mom (60), Becky (33), Graeme (33), Vicki (51). And Lauren, who would not let me put her down.

Quinn and Sophie. 
Cousins

The girls on the beach after our family picture 

Some of the crew on the beach house steps. Uncle Dick was there, so of course there were balloon hats.

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We just got back from the annual 4th of July week in Ocean City, NJ. It was wonderful and relaxing, as always. No surprise that Lauren was in heaven running in and out of the waves and playing in the little baby pool alongside the adults. Sophie also had a great time digging and hanging out with Quinn and Carley and their friends (“the girls”). We lucked out with great weather, except for Hurricane Arthur, which came through on Friday for a few days, and unfortunately caused the fireworks to be cancelled. Overall a great getaway!

Lauren happy as a clam – taking a break on the beach chair

Pap Pap giving Sophie some kite flying instruction
Beach-loving kids

Nana with her 3 grand babies 
Lauren rode the Carousel for the first time…

And so did Ari.

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Over the 4th the Coughlins and Rainers had their traditional summer vacation in Ocean City. Sophie stayed with them for the entire week and enjoyed being the most spoiled little grandkid there was. Lauren and I came down for a few days at the end of the week. While the weather the first part of the week wasn’t great, the weather at the end was perfect! Lots of beach sitting, cocktail drinking, book reading, bike riding, treasure burying and just relaxing…. ahhhh. I have about a million pictures, and here are just a few of the highlights.

Lauren’s first real beach day. She wasn’t a fan of the water, but didn’t mind hanging out in her chair or on the lap of her relatives. 
 Sophie is a true beach bum. She could be down there for 8 hours straight, and still not be ready to leave. She had a blast playing by herself, making friends, and running in and out of the water. 
And what’s a trip to Ocean City without renting a surrey?

The whole crew (sans James, who is taking the picture)
 After the week was over, Becky, James, Mom & Dad and all of us visited with Kathy & Dave at their new house in Rock Hall, MD. Here’s Sophie helping Dave and Uncle Ed to clean a fish. She’s quite the little helper. 

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