The local creek swelled from 4 feet across, to 50 feet across during the hurricane. I took this picture as the eye of the storm was passing over Manhattan, about a 30-minute drive from our house.

The local creek flooded during Hurricane Irene. For about 10 hours it overwhelmed its banks and shut down our street. The current was strong enough to sweep anyone away.

Ah, the things to look at during a hurricane!

So there's a hurricane outside, what else would you do than dress your kids in their swimsuits and send them out to play?

Apparently the best time to dress in swimsuits and play in a hurricane is just as the eye of the storm passes by.

They shut down our road due to the flooded stream, and we saw dozens of emergency vehicles on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I saw a few downed trees, hundreds of downed branches, and a snapped telephone pole.

Splish splash, I was taking a bath...

This is a picture of the flooded stream. You can see me with Emma on my shoulders. Although it looks like we are standing in the torrent, I assure you we are not.

Hurricane Irene was kind enough to give us a complementary 15-inch indoor swimming pool in our basement. The landlord said he liked the pool, but would have preferred we asked permission before installing it.
I told him that if I thought asking his permission would have prevented the flood, I would have asked.

As the older brother, Christopher directs all of the races, and seems to win most of them.

As the older brother, Christopher directs all of the races, and seems to win most of them.

I love that they play together so well. They all look out for one another, and it makes Jen and I so happy and proud.

Christopher is the directing choreographer in the Titus School for Synchronized Swimming

Getting five small children to all look and smile at the camera at the same time is like herding cats. Here is the herd of cats at Christopher's Kindergarten graduation.

After marching in the 2011 Nutley Memorial Day Parade, Christopher and I joined everyone else and waived to the performers.

One of the favorite things for the kids to do is draw with sidewalk chalk. Here you can see a myriad of masterpieces

Fulfilling a personal childhood dream, I drew roads for the kids by sitting on a wagon and holding chalk to the ground on either side. Christopher and the kids pushed me around wherever they wanted the roads to go. We were careful to provide several paths to avoid traffic jams and accidents.

Here we are on the couch after an indoor Easter Egg hunt (it was raining that day). I got the Easter Bunny "outfit."

My beautiful family in our picture-perfect window.

Christopher and Kevin look out the window on the plane ride back from Disneyland