6 weeks until vacation

Vacation is fast approaching for us.  Kids will be joining us and with an 18 and 16 year old, this might be one of the last vacations we are together for a while.  Two consecutive weeks at the beach with a cottage on the water. There will be lots of reading and DVDs but not much swimming, I'm not a fan of the ocean, other than to watch it and hear it at night.  We spent 15 years vacationing for two weeks with my parents along with us.  The last two years at the beach, 2008 and 2009, were without Dad who passed in 2008, but Mom still came.  Last year Mom decided she had enough of the beach and then she passed away in January.  This will be the first time in 15 years it's just the four of us.  We've downsized the cottage (and the rent) and hope to have a relaxing time with family.  Here is our view on a stormy late afternoon in 2009: