Sun, Sand, Wind, and Don...

Day two got off to an early start as we headed down to the beach. 

Mom and Dee were off to find some shells (even though they both have about 10,000 in their possession - they are the reason we don't find sand dollars anymore...we have them all!)

And the kids were ready to dive right back into the ocean! 

I love their little squinty faces - like they couldn't open their eyes all the way because the sun was just too bright! I probably took 20 pictures of them like this and Emmy didn't look up for any of them! 

She was ready to get in the water... 

And go exploring. 

Kenly was such a big helper on the trip! Radley and Karli would do just about anything that she said (wish they would listen to their parents like that), she fed Cooper, played with Emmy, got pacifiers and diapers and even showed off her newly acquired swimming skills! Spending four days with her makes me ready for 8 year olds!

Radley and Karli kept picking up driftwood and making a little collection. Then they would take it back to the ocean and start all over again. He clearly can't keep his eyes open. ha!

I love how she would hold her hat down so it wouldn't fly away. 

About an hour into the morning it was just me, Radley and Karli left on the beach. We played in the sand, made castles, went into the waves and just had so much fun. 

Cooper man and Jenni joined us and then the rest of the gang came back to set up our canopy for the day. 

They just played and played and played...

I headed back up to make us a quick picnic lunch and then we got to feed the birds with the leftovers. 

I can't look at a seagull without hearing "Mine, mine, mine..." over and over again. Way to go Disney. ;)

And then, it happened. We had been at the beach for about 3 1/2 hours and noticed the water was creeping up a little higher and higher. I was aware enough to hang our cameras from the canopy "just in case" and I am so glad that I did. We took the kids for a quick walk on the beach and when we came back it happened... Don was actually trying to make his appearance and a surge of water covered our towels, bags, shoes, and sand toys. Thank you, Lord, for telling me to hang up the cameras because that would have been awful. 

I WISH I had pictures of our reaction and our attempt and taking everything back up to the room. I have two double beach towels that probably weighed 70 pounds after the sand and water had soaked in - what a funny sight as we hauled the stuff and kids back to our room! 

So what did we do? We packed up the car and drove down to the pier to go shelling and then grab some snow cones!

These three just had the best time together!

Karli was so proud of her finds. 

And Radley kept adding stuff to GiGi's bucket. 

After "shelling" we loaded up to get our cones. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep - so we made a stop at the IGA for some dinner items so they could take their naps.

I just LOVE their sandy shoes standing in line... 

Beach feet are quintessential to summer... 

And the green toes don't hurt. 

I could eat snow cones every day and so could this kid...although I would not choose the Cotton Candy that he ate. I'm a Fuzzy Monkey girl (peach and banana mixed)...

I quit taking pictures at this point but did snap a few on my phone of TS Don making his way to shore.


This is at 8:15pm

 And this is at 8:25pm... isn't it crazy how the sky changed color like that in 10 minutes?



Don brought some wind and strong waves but other than that he was pretty gentle. We ended our night listening to the shore and  eating chicken fettuccine, breadsticks and ice cream of course! 

Port Aransas or Bust...

The week had finally come for our annual trip to Port Aransas! My best friend, her mom and sisters, my mom and I have been making this trip since 1995, only missing a few years in between! The trip now includes our little ones, which may make it a little less relaxing, but still just as much fun! 

We had a pretty easy ride down to south Texas and once we hit the ferry we all jumped out to enjoy the view. This is one of my favorite parts of the trip - getting outside the car to try and catch a glimpse of a dolphin or two. 

I forgot to take a picture of our car all packed, but this is just as ridiculous. This is what we brought for GiGi, Radley, Emmy, and me. (It does include an extra pack and play for Cooper and some snacks, but still). 

We stayed at Gulf Shores Condominiums which are the closest to the beach in Port A. Our condo was AWESOME! The owners had just updated everything so we really lucked out. The shower was amazing, the kitchen had all new appliances, and the furniture was beautiful and so beachy! We will definitely request to stay there again (and probably even the one next door, Dinah)! :)

I forgot to take pictures of the room because we were in such a hurry to get to the beach! As soon as we arrived we threw our stuff in the room, changed into swim suits and headed to the beach. 

The weather was just gorgeous and we wanted to take advantage since we had reports of Tropical Storm Don brewing in the gulf. 

Radley and Emmy both loved the water. He wasn't even bothered when the salt got into his eyes, which makes me giggle because if a fly lands on him wrong he is known to burst into tears. 

She would have walked right in there if I would have let her.

And there was no stopping Karli, Radley or Kenly. 

Cooper was a little indifferent. ;)

Day one ended with some hot dogs, chips, ice cream and a night spent on the balcony. 

We even had to hold Radley back up there!

You are my Sunshine...

Yesterday was a big day at our house...

Radley moved up the Sunshine class! He was so pumped! 

He seemed so BIG yesterday. Maybe it's because he wore his first outfit from the "other side" of the Target aisle! And he wore his cool new kicks that he got to pick out all by himself!

Emmy thought it was kind of silly that I was there to take pictures.

But Radley enjoyed hamming it up for the camera! Look at him with his hands in his pockets - such a mini-me.

We really love the school he attends. They follow a great curriculum and are learning things at 3 and 4 that I don't really think you need to know until kindergarten. Yesterday he came home with a whole packet of worksheets that he had traced, wrote his name, counted to 100, etc... 

It is just amazing what a little brain can do!

 

 He had a great day with his friends and was ready for some more today!