Calm before the storm

Thanks to Hurricane Irene, we had to cut our annual summer visit to Long Island short by a few days this year. It was a bummer, but considering that most of Andy's family (mom, dad, brother, sister-in law) was under a mandatory evacuation order, there wasn't much point in us weathering the storm there and we figured we'd better get back to NH to make sure our own house was ready for the high winds and rain. When we visited last Christmas, there was a major blizzard on the island, and this summer we had an earthquake and a hurricane... I think it's fair to say that our families are awaiting our visit at Thanksgiving with some trepidation. Tornado? Tidal wave? UFO landing? Yikes.

Beware of Munson!

Ferry to Watch Hill

At Coyles with William and Elizabeth

Despite the abbreviation of our visit, we had an excellent time and enjoyed some beautiful weather with friends and family for the week we were there. We spent our first and last days (both blue-sky beauties) relaxing on Oak Island... swimming, fishing, kayaking, crabbing, reading, and playing in the sand. If I had to guess which of our kids loved Oak Island the best, it'd be a close vote, but I'd have to go with Kimball. The dog was in complete canine heaven there... no roads and no leashes and no rules! Kimball spent her time digging colossal holes in the sand, diving into the phragmites to find crabs and other stinky sea creatures to crunch on, vegging out in the shade under the house or the boardwalks, and playing tug-of-war with all the rope ends tied to cleats and marine pilings. And she got to stay a lot longer on Oak Island than we did, since Andy's dad was very nicely watching her for the whole week. Aiden and Haley also had a wonderful time... Aiden loved crabbing and fishing and got to kayak around the whole island (a long trip!); Haley loved running her fingers and toes (and occasionally her tongue) through the sand, and both of them enjoyed swimming right off the dock.

Oak Island House

Searching for jellies

Crabbin'

Oak Is House

Kayak Trip #1

Aiden's snapper

Tug of War at Oak

Aunt Paulette and Munson

Kayak Trip #2 - around whole island!

We also got into the Big City this time, when Grandma Chris and Crazy Uncle Dan went with us to the Intrepid Museum on the lower west side of Manhattan. Tons of planes and helicopters, submarines and of course the Intrepid herself, a huge aircraft carrier which we got to explore thoroughly. We spent one day at the Coney Island Aquarium with Lisa and her boys Alex, Christian and Edward, and another at Watch Hill Beach on Fire Island. We had family picnics and dinners with friends, visited both great grandmothers and spent time with cousins. It was a full trip, as usual...we're not much for down time anyhow. You never know when your trip will be cut short, so it's best to live it up while you can!

Aiden and Alex at Coney island

Alex at the Coney Is Aquarium

Visiting Great Grandma Guppy

Haley at Watch Hill

Fire Island

Intrepid Museum

Intrepid

Home and dressed for Hurricane Irene!