The Beach

Who doesn't love the beach? We just got back from a week at LBI - Jersey Shore, and it was such a great vacation. Friends of ours are also there, and two of my sisters also rent a house for the week. All the cousins come, and family friends, it's just one big party. And then there's the beach. It's magical, no matter which beach you happen to be at. It's a force of nature too mystical, too powerful to understand. It's mesmerizing, isn't it?

Anyway, this year my parents came and stayed at our beach house. It was so much fun having them. It brought me back to many years ago when they rented a beach house every year in Ocean Beach. I kind of felt like a little kid again. I hope they can come next year too. The week goes by so quickly, and with so many people there with us, it's hard to do everything that you'd like to do while you're there. This year, though, I made sure I did the important things.

The first important thing was making sure my parents came. They also managed to have a good time, and relax a little too. This made me really happy.

Next was to make sure I spent some alone time with my friend Dar. When we're home, it's hard to see each other because of our work schedules. (Have to try a little harder with this.) Anyway, we had a nice heart-to-heart over a morning cup of coffee. An hour very well-spent.

Had to go to Cafe Bacio, a really cool and delicious dessert-only place. I had no trouble at all polishing off a giant marshmellow chocolate cupcake. I even went back later in the week for a take-out and a frozen hot-chocolate! Yummy.

Important to take my parents out to dinner with my sisters. Delicious Italian food surrounded by family, a great night. So glad we went.

Long overdue, a dinner with our friends Janet and Jeff. Another delicious meal, and then back to their gorgeous house where the kids were partying up a storm, really having a good time, as were we. The stuff memories are made of.

The rest of the week was comprised of bike riding with Kristin, walking with Rach and my Mom, cooking, shopping, and spending lots of time on the beach.

Were there some things that I didn't get to do? Sure, I wish I could have stayed just a couple of days longer. But then again, there's always next year.