Port Aransas, Texas

We have lived in Texas for almost 5 years and had not made it to the beach. I think that I was in the right frame of mind when planning this trip. I certainly could not expect Hilton Head from all that I had heard and there is a nickname for this beach. I hear they call it the Redneck Riviera. How about being on a beach where all you see is Texas or UT tents and flags?? With all that said, I can say that we just had the best little family vacation and will certainly go back! So this is how it went:

There is a small channel that you have to cross to get onto the island. You drive your car right up on the ferry and they take you across. Tom and I wondered if they have heard of building bridges but the experience was pretty cool so let them keep the ferries.

The water was much clearer out farther where the ocean gets deep. In closer was more brown but the waves were better than what I had thought. The beach was not the cleanest but it had sand and waves, beach, sand. That is about all that we need to have a great day.

We stayed in a condo that was right on the beach. That was so nice for us to have a short walk and be able to go back and cool off with a nice lunch. The sand dunes were very big and we would have to get over them. You can actually drive right on the beach here. One night we drove to dinner on the beach. That is a different thing for us but also had the cool factor.

We did not spend much time at the pool. The water was very very warm! We just loved spending the time out at the beach. The sun is more intense than Hilton Head and we all got a little too much. I have to remember that next time. We are very close to Mexico making it very hot.

The entire island is more of a tourist place with tons of gift shops, restaurants, etc. The kids LOVED the gift shops. I don't think that they have experienced all the tacky tourist shops. The 99cent shark necklaces were a hit. As well as all the shells and creatures made out of shells. Larson basically wanted everything that he saw. Tom and I just let them go in one after another.

Being so close to the beach made it easy to to and take a walk at night. We had the supplies for smores but were not prepared with the fire supplies. You could have made your own fire right on the beach. Pretty much anything goes on this beach. We ended up making smores back at the condo at night time.

We had fun at the restaurants for dinner. This was Moby Dicks. A fun kind of pirate themed seafood restaurant. This was a really hot hot night.

We took this vacation to help celebrate Toms birthday. We seriously had the best family time. It was something so different from what we were use to but we totally loved it.

Good Morning Pat Pat

So snuggly in the morning.

I miss you Pat Pat!

Larson's First Sleepover

Another one of those Heavens Opening moments for Larson. He got an invitation to spend the night with Zane. I know it does not sound right for a 5 year old to be spending the night with a friend but Larson is way beyond his years. He was just so happy and loved his sleepover!

I need to say that Jackson has to go down as one of the best big brothers ever. Zane and Jackson are both in 4th grade and have been friends for many years. Both Jackson and Zane have always included Larson in everything they do for about the last 2 years. It is just really impressive that both boys are compassionate enough to let him be the 3rd musketeer!

Larson desperately still wants his hair cut like Zanes. I just try to put it off and not think about it. I am not sure if I should let him or not??

Oh What Do We Do in the Summertime?

OK so I am spoiled but I dont like looking at it that way. The way I see it is its just the only way I have ever known it. I dont think that makes it sound any better but I am just accustomed to spending all of our summer days at the beach. The last two weeks in Austin have been a little trying for the kids and myself. A little bit of the we dont know what to do. Then I look at our pictures and realize that we have done some things.

While the neighbors are away: The Roberts play

We totally had an invite from the Pratts to swim in their pool while they were out of town. That was really fun for us to just go out our back gate and have a nice swim. The only problem is now the boys keep asking to go and I will not take advantage of that.

While Jordan was at camp, we took the boys and Zane to a little water playground. Fun was had but I learned a lesson that day. The big boys are way way too big for this. They were just too big to be running around with a ton of little kids there. I will not be taking them back to that.

This was our first time to actually swim at the Barton Springs. We all drove down to Zilker and would just play it by ear. I decided not to take Logan in because the water is a very refreshing temp of 68 year round. I just didnt think that he would appreciate it. Apparently Jordan didnt either. However that had allot to do with the fact that Jordan and a friend stayed up the entire night before and I did not know about it. She just could not function very well. Larson did the best he could but it ended up that Tom and Jackson had a blast.

They found the diving board and had fun displaying their non diving talents. It was really fun watching the "diving board show". One guy did a complete belly flop and you heard the oooooohhhhhh from everyone watching.

Tom thought that his 1 1/2 twist dive won overall. I told him that he looked like superman trying to take off and fly.

Logan and I hung out at the playground and he loved chasing all the pigeons. It was really hot!!!!

We made a stop at Sno Beach and each got the worlds best snowcone ever.

It seems like we have been spending allot of time at Zilker. This was Jordan's youth group night and they met at the Hillside theatre to see the Music Man.

I guess my expectations were of just a little play on a little outdoor stage. I was wrong. This was a full on production and I loved it. Such a cool thing that happens every summer in Austin and after 5 years I finally figure it out. I was in the Music Man in High School and it was cool to see it again. The costumes and set was really good. I loved being outside and downtown.

Jordan really enjoyed it and thanks to Tom for staying home with the boys!

#2 & #4

We are just reliving Jackson over again everyday

Makes Me Laugh Everytime

Bumper Cars always brings a smile to my face. It is so funny to watch the kids attempt their driving skills. Jordan will get so mad when she gets stuck but then is so happy the next moment that she is cruising along. Jackson laughs the entire time. Larson just wishes that he could be the driver.

Girls Camp

Jordan weighs 65 lbs. Jordan's bag for camp weighed 50lbs.

I told her to pull it, drag it, yell for help. She would figure it out.

This was Jordan's first away from home camp and she could not wait to go! She got to ride with Gemma and she was also in her same cabin.

This would be Jordan on a hike.

This would be Jordan in the dinning hall.(I guess she did not want to ask anyone to take pictures for her)

Jordan's bottom bunk.

Darci, Maddie, Lizzie, Gemma, and Mary

They were not allowed cell phones and I only texted Jenn one time to see how it was going. I know that we missed her at our house but I just knew that she was having a great time.

Jenn pulled up in the driveway and Jordan jumped out of the car and ran right for me. It was a great hug from her. Then we got to hear Jordan nonstop for the next 2 hours tell us of all her adventures. Her expectations were all met. No surprise, she then went and took a 3 hour nap.

Colby's UT Orientation

Charlene and Colby were actually in Austin waiting on us since we drove and they flew. They stayed at a hotel downtown since Colby had a very full schedule for the week. I wanted to get some pics of Colby on the campus but it just did not work out. Her first day, she was not too sure. She did not know anyone but soon met girls and one was from Georgia, very close to home. She took care of all her orientation check list and managed a few nights out.

Meanwhile, the boys, Char and I had a very fun filled week. It was really fun staying downtown and just enjoying the city from a different perspective. There are many weeks when I dont leave the bubble of Steiner Ranch. Tom was able to just come over from work and run in Zilker, swim with the kids, get Sno Beach snow cones. These are the best snow cones that I have ever had and all agreed when they tasted them. Their hotel room overlooked the Congress bridge and hence the flying of the bats was an incredible view. We have viewed from down below a few times but I had never seen them like this. It really is a cool thing.

So reality hit Char that Colby is in college now. Reality hit me that I have a closet full of Colbys clothes and that she will be moving into her dorm in 3 weeks. There is still a big shock factor for me that this is all happening. Cant wait for fall semester to begin for her.

I will add in that Colby is on full academic scholarship. That is a great accomplishment Colby!

Harbor Town

Logan is now old enough to enjoy the Harbor Town playground.

I dont know how many times I can blog about this place. This was the first time that we did not do our family reunion with Toms family on the island and the kids missed that but Jordan was determined that we were not going to miss our annual trip to Harbor Town.

Pool Fun

Leave it up to Aunt Char to buy Logan his own pool which was very cool, unfortunately I had to be in it with him for him to stay.

The rain was not going to ruin their fun!

Larson would swim all day long but only with his goggles on. I think this summer I have already bought him 4 pair and their allowed limit was one pair.

We love Aunt Chars pool. It makes it harder to come back to our community pools. I know how that sounds but I will admit that I have one deep envy and want in this world. That would be our own private pool. Our family has always been water people and once you have your own (or Aunt Chars) you can kind of relate with me. You don't have to pack a pool bag or even lunch. You just go in and get what you need. You don't have to stop other kids from taking all of your toys because their mothers are too lame to even pack any. I don't have to keep my kids from staring down others that have snacks in hand. I certainly do not count on a life guard to be watching over my own children. That is my job and it irritates me to hear the whistles blow to stop a child from simply being a kid and having fun but you know there are pool rules. At my very own pool there would be a personalized sign that reads NO POOL RULES. Here is my favorite of all. It is 100 out and you have packed all the bags and the kids are just ready to jump in the pool when the life guards blow the whistle and it is adult swim. I feel like standing on the side and yelling KIDS COME TO THE POOL TO SWIM NOT SIT ON THE SIDE.

If anyone is shocked at my editorial just remember that it is my inner secret and you are not to tell anyone about this.

(I would go on to say how I am really grateful for the beautiful community pools that we have in Steiner but that would ruin the effect of my editorial).

So I am off to pack our bags and hit the community pool!

Logan and his Elephant

Yes, this is Logans love of his life. It's Elephant and poor elephant does not even have a name. In the beginning I only allowed elephant in the crib but every time that he was crying the kids would go and get it for him and the rest is history. You do not plan on going anywhere without elephant. If you have driven off without it Logan will be screaming EEEEEEEEEEE from his carseat.

There is only one way to hold elephant. We would give it to him from the left side and he always turns it to the right. He sucks on that tusks only and then holds the other one in his hand. On occasion we have seen the tail in his mouth but that is just when he is giving him a huge hug and shaking all over it is so intense. The really bad part is that elephant is always moist and smells really really bad. Unfortunately that smell rubs off on Logan too. We wash Elephant but there is not much that you can do for the one tusks that he sucks on. He does not have an affection for all elephants. The kids were real excited that they got him a big stuffed elephant. He kind of looked at it and tossed it to the side. There must be something special about Logans elephant and I dread the day that it ever gets lost.

4th of July 2009

Our attempt of getting a beach picture of Logan. Even with Toms help he would immediately start running for the camera.

We spent the day at the beach with Aunt Char and Tommy. Then went home for some quick hot dogs so we could get back to the beach. Even though there are big venues shooting off fireworks, we love walking on the beach at night and there are fireworks going off everywhere and then you can even see big ones from both directions. Its just a fun night for us. We usually end the night with ice cream but our shop had been turned into a coffee shop.
Another tradition, is that when we pick up Daddy from the airport we hit the firework store on the way home. Almost every night we have our own fireworks at the house.

Beach Pics 2009

We spent three weeks at the beach this summer. Jordan had to get back for her girls camp. We have spent the last 21 summers there but this was the first for a short amount of time. Next summer may even be more different as my sister has her house for sale in hopes of getting her to Texas. As much as I love the beach, that is a trade that I will take.

Love this picture.

Tom took more time off this year to be with us a little longer. I know that we all liked that.

Kids taking a breather.

This summer was no different as far as beach days go. We packed up for the day, had enough food to keep the boys happy, lots of surf and sand and of course running off the beach some afternoons to take cover from their lightning and thunderstorms. The lifeguards did clear the water one time as a very cool dark cloud was sweeping across the ocean. It was bait fish jumping out of the water everywhere. It was crazy to watch. It was suspected that sharks had them surrounded. I have to say that was the end of swimming that day. That is the first time that I had ever seen that on Hilton Head. Usually it is just dolphins!

This is what we call baby jail at the beach. Dig a hole deep enough so that he can not get out.

Our surfer dude.

This boogie board finally met its death. I am not sure how many summers we had it but for a very long time.
We actually left it at the beach one time and the next day found it.

Jordans favorite activity: sand sculptures

Jackson favorite activities: wave riding and making sandballs

Larson favorites activities: any boogie board event

Logans favorite activity: seeing how much sand he can get on himself and anyone around him.

We love the beach!