4th on the Beach

Dave and I were trying to figure out the best way to spend the 4th for us – and HAD to take into consideration the heat.    Last year we had a great time watching the Zilker Park Fireworks. (Highly recommended)  It was hot, but doable… especially once the sun went down.  I am a heat hater anyway, but then being pregnant on top of it makes it near impossible to spend the hours needed to enjoy the 4th outside.  You know, where everyone spends the fourth.  It would just be very, very, very bad to get overheated while pregnant.  We finally decided to make a trip to the beach!   That way if I got hot I could at least just get in the water to cool down.

We left at 6am and drove the 3 1/2 hours to Corpus Christi… and hung out at Mustang Beach:

It was fun, but when everyone says they’re not the same as California beachs, they aren’t kidding.  Smaller beaches, not great accomodations (bathrooms, closed down, etc.), nothing around the beach at all…. The biggest difference is it was hot, hot, hot.  We saw on weather.com that it would feel like 105 – and yep, it did!  There was always a nice breeze, but without the super cooling chill of the CA beaches.  (Coronado – I heart you.)  The benefit though was that I actually loved the water because it was warm enough for me to get in the water!  I’m sure if it were too cold, there’s no way Drew would have gone in either, but he loved it.  Well, I should clarify that Drew had a love/hate relationship with the water.  He was in heaven until he fell and got some salt water in his mouth.  THEN he was hesitant and wanted to be in, but then would run out… only to turn around to go back in… to run out.  Once he found our cooler he was all about opening and closing the lid.  Then would cry when his fingers got caught, but then go right back to work on opening the lid once we got them out.  And when he saw my water bottle he sat in my lap for a long time opening and closing the cap.  I guess he’s practicing cause and effect right now.  haha  We got to the beach RIGHT at his naptime, so he struggled somewhat, but was a good little trooper.  I guess he’s like Collin and really effected by sleep!  We just had to go in the morning since it would be the coolest part of the day.  He was VERY ready to leave when we finally packed everything up and fell asleep before we actually started driving to leave!

Collin had a blast.  When we told him we were going to the beach he told me his stomach was jumping he was so excited!  Then Dave woke him up in the morning (bright and early!) and said, “Collin…. we have to get ready to go to the beach….!”  Collin replied, with eyes still closed. “LAGOON!” and then said, “I don’t know why I said that.  I guess I was just trying to be funny.”  And then jumped up to get dressed. LOL He’s such a goof.  He played in the water a lot, but mostly he was into finding seashells and tiny clams things that would dig back into the sand once you put it back down.  I was so glad he had fun!  We wanted to do something where Collin could really enjoy the holiday and do something different than our every day stuff.  So yay!  I LOVE the pictures of him on the way home.  He looks SO stinking adorable.  When we were in the car ready to leave he started tearing up because he couldn’t get his seatbelt on… SO NOT like him.  Poor little guy was so exhausted!  After that got figured out, he said, “Here comes the big hunger burst!”  LOL And he wasn’t kidding – he ate and ate and ate on the way home.

We were thinking we could fit in a trip to the Aquarium while we were there, but everyone was so wiped out we thought it’d probably be best to just get back home.  (good thinking on our part.)  We’ll have to ask around a little bit more and find out the best beach communities to visit in the future.  Maybe next time we’ll check out Galveston.  I’m sure we’ll let you know all about it.  Lucky you!

Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Christmas Vacation, Part V

The Finale of our Christmas Vacation series.  I call this one Jo:Anthropologie  ::  Jr:LEGO store 

We both had that moment of not being able to wait to get in the store… of forgetting about everything and everyone else and heading for the heavenly glow of the wonderfulness inside.  

 

We were only there for a short amount of time, considering the hype around actually getting to go, but it was all worth it.

As you can see we also were able to meet up with friends, Tim and Lori and their family.  They were in from Iowa and we were in from Texas at the same time.  How awesome is that?!  dt hadn’t seen them in over 10 years and they are dear friends of his.  Although, I’m sure he wouldn’t say it like that.  He’d say, “I love Tim and Lori!” and what’s not to love? They are de-lightful!  To be said like this guy: Thanks for meeting up with us, guys!

Christmas Vacation, Part IV

Besides holiday events, we managaed to fit in some relaxing time to meet up with friends or just hang out during our AZ trip.  I had an awesome morning with some girlfriends from Epic (posted below).  They are so sweet – I miss living my days with them!  dt was able to grab a beer with the guys one night, but he didn’t want to bring the camera. I guess the guys gathering around the table, trying to squeeze into the shot isn’t manly or something.  :-P

I also got to catch up with Jina (the other half of A Mike’s Life) for coffee one morning, which was awesome.  I hadn’t seen her in years and it was such a treat to catch up with such a great friend.  She just gave birth to a little girl and while we were trading birth stories, I did learn that it is best to keep your voice down.  The other poor souls around you might not want to learn about your placenta.  Oops.  Guess I was caught up in the moment.  And trust me, Jina was fascinated.   (Again, no camera.  Boo!)

One Christmas Vacation post left:  LEGO STORE (coming soon….)

Christmas Vacation, Part III

This part of our vacation we welcomed Travis and Kelli in from L.A.  It was great to see them and their new little puppy Bentley.  We also played Poker, Bingo, Wii and had a campfire night in the front yard! 

I know you’re wondering when all of these photos will end but I only have two more parts to our vacation.  Maybe I need to filter more, but this is as slimmed down as I can get it for two weeks.  Hopefully you’re enjoying them.  Otherwise, um, sorry.

Christmas Vacation, Part II

Moments of our Christmas Day

Thanks for hosting a great day, Mom and Dad.

Christmas Vacation, Part I

There’s no way I can remember enough of our two week trip to Phoenix to write about anything significant… so enjoy these pictures and imagine yourself there.   These are some favorites up to Christmas Eve.

It was iffy whether or not we would be able to afford the trip, so we feel blessed just to have been surrounded by friends and family for the holidays.  We love you guys and wish you a wonderful new year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Lucyshouse!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Santa Shy

Last weekend we went to the mall to drop off Jr’s Christmas List.  He was not interested in talking to Santa because it makes him “way too nervous”.  So this was as close as he wanted to get. 

 He, of course, then had to get a silly picture (as you can see on the right). hehe  While we were walking trying to find where Santa was at the mall Jr said, “Okay.  Keep your eyes open for the fat, jolly guy!” and then busted up laughing.  lol

Awestruck by the Greatness of Santa

We took Baby bear to meet Santa for the first time at our local library. I’d say it went pretty well for a one-year old meeting Santa.

 

Reading some books while we wait for Santa. As you can see, our library has a prolific selection...

Daddy just showed me the Santa behind us. I'm gonna meet *that* guy?

Okay, let's head over to the Santa room. I always enjoy a good stroll.

The Raindeer Hokey-pokey...you put your right hoof in, you put your right hoof out...

"Oh my gosh! There he is! There he IS!!!! It's Library Santa! Library SANTA!!!"

"Hmm, and you're telling me this is the same guy that daddy showed me? Really??"

"Aw...no you didn't!"

All in all it went pretty well. Although it seemed much longer than the hour that we spent there, but that was because most of the time was spent waiting. Baby bear had a pretty good time, but he was more interested in taking it all in rather than meeting the big guy face to face.

Happy Holidays!