Labor Day weekend at the shore...the final days of summer vacation

Jerry and Ignacio at the Pudgy Pelican, Avalon NJ

Thursday, August 30th
Hurricaine Earl was moving up the coast as we headed back to the shore for the Labor Day weekend.  The storm was not as bad as the weathermen were predicting for New Jersey but there were sustained winds of 45 mph on Friday night into Saturday.

Cody and Ignacio spent most of the weekend with Cody's dad in Avalon.  Ignacio really liked Avalon. What's not to like...the beach is beautiful, the waves were great this weekend and the boys stayed close to the center of town so they could ride bikes around town and visit with friends.

On Sunday, Ignacio, Jerry, Jerry's parents and I went to Church and then to the Pudgy Pelican for a late breakfast. We got to see Cody at work on a very busy day.

We drove home Monday evening after the final few hours of swimming and skim boarding and a last look at the beach.  Jerry, Ignacio, Christian and Cody all agreed they were not quite ready for summer to be over.

But school starts tomorrow so it seems another summer has come and gone.

St. Joe's Prep Orientation

Wednesday, September 1

Today was oreintation day for Ignacio. Cody was a student leader for the orientation session.
The boys looked very handsome in their navy blue blazers and ties.  We took a picture with Ignacio's camera which he will email me and I will post shortly.

Grandma's Pat Cook's Birthday

Sunday, August 29th

My mom's birthday was on Sunday. The family came over for a birthday lunch and some cake.  My mom turned 77.  We sang and she blew out all the candles!
We also said farewell to Alex, Cody and Trevor's cousin who was flying to Amsterdam Sunday afternoon for a semester abroad.

Uncle Karl, Alex and Ignacio

Debbie, Alex, Grandma and Robert

Trevor's Indoctrination into the Military Regiment SUNY Maritime

We were off to the Bronx again on Saturday for the Indoctrination Graduation at SUNY Maritime College. Trevor completed his two weeks of "boot camp". 
We proudly watched the cadets march in formation and recite the SUNY Maritime Oath. They also sang a fine rendition of "Anchors Away". 
On the car ride home, Trevor told us all the details of being a "MUG" at Maritime.  Cody, Ignacio and I decided the toughest part was sitting indian style, with a straight back for two hours every day with your arm raised at a 90 dgree angle reading a book....we were not ready to sign up! 

Commanders Salute Squad 9, E Company

Trevor's squad, he 3rd on back on left

Taking the Maritime Oath

Ignacio and Trevor and Cody's  Aunt Anne

Trevor and Matt Helms

The driving range and Wednesday Night at the Movies

Wednesday, August 25th
Will, Mark, Cody and Ignacio went to the driving range at Paxon Hollow Golf course today.  $5ucket of gets you a bucket of balls and the boys were able to practice their swing.  Cody said Ignacio definitely got the hang of golf!

The Inception was the Wednesday Night at the Movies choice.  I heard it was good but very hard to follow...we decided it was best that we see it again with Spanish subtitles since it was so complicated and Ignacio found some of the dialogue hard to follow.

The Dale Laners

Ignacio had a chance to meet most of my neighbors on Dale Lane on Tuesday night. Marie and Bob were kind enough to host the group for a barbeque.  It was a chance to meet and mingle with Ignacio and catch up on the Dale Lane news.  The Lucci family could not attend as they were dropping Matt off at Boston College.  Katie is leaving for Lehigh University on Thursday.  The dining room table was filled with lots of stuff for the college dorm.  Hope it all fits in the car!

Thanks again Marie and Bob!
Great to see everyone.

Ignacio, Cody, Katie, Zac and Emily

Jeff, Rita, Marie and Patty

Wildwood, another Jersey Shore town

Monday, August 23rd

Ignacio spent the day with Chris and Rafa, the other exchange student from Chile, in Wildwood. Chris's parents have a condo in Wildwood Crest.

Wildwood is best known for it's extensive boardwalk with rides, a water park, games and more.
Ignacio did not get a chance to see the boardwalk yet...we are planning to do that on Labor Day weekend.
Check out the link to Wildwood.
 Wildwood's website