Well, sad to say, our 2025 family beach vacation is in the books. As it always has been, the week was wonderful and filled with togetherness, good food, games, jokes and laughter. The most perfect recipe for a family vacation. And it goes by amazingly fast.

As the kids get older their work schedules don’t always allow for a full week but there were many days when we were all together, minus one. Carson arrived one day later. Danielle visited for the weekend, left for work, and returned on Tuesday night to stay for the rest of the week.  Maria and the great grands came Tuesday and remained all week but totally unfortunate was that Nick couldn’t make it to the beach at all and that left a crater. One would think one person out of 20 wouldn’t be missed but we always felt the hollow even though we did face time when possible.

As usual the week was a busy one. The first group would be down on the beach with coolers and games by 10:30 some days but mostly 11. I was the straggler and while everyone (except the chefs) remained until 5 or 6ish, I left usually at 3:30 for some splash time in the pool. Because of vertigo, woe is me, I cannot go into the ocean! I’ve tried all the tricks and suggestions but still can’t.

Every dinner was “blue plate” special, finishing with homemade desserts and some store-bought pies and ice cream. For years, the highlight has been a 5 lb cookie tray from Venerios in NYC, courtesy of Vince and Claire.  Claire is an offshoot of the Veniero’s family which she revealed to us any years ago when she was browsing our wedding album and spotted the Veniero’s cookie platter on each of the  tables.

WE PLAYED GAMES AFTER DINNER

WE WAITED FOR THE FIGHTER JET FLY OVER

WHILE ENJOYING TOGETHER TIME

AND THE SUN AND OCEAN.

WE HAD FUN IN THE OCEAN.

OUR LAST SUPPER

We are tanned, waterlogged, and surprisingly well rested despite our busy week. As we return to our regular routine, we’ll share memories, pictures and stories and as we always do when

we are all together at Christmas we will make our 2026 family vacation plans trying to make it better than the last.

But we really can’t accomplish that because they are all perfectly wonderful!