Sunday, August 28, 2011

Corpus Christi Vacation

This month we went on a family vacation with my side of the family. We went to Corpus Christi/Padre Island Texas. It was the first time we had been on vacation with my family in 10 years (yes, that is before we got married, had kids, and towards the VERY beginning of Sam's and I's relationship). It was due.

We flew out with my oldest sister Stephanie. The whole time we were in the airport, flying, and than driving the 2 1/2 hours from San Antonio, Izzy was asking "Can we go to the beach? I want to go to the beach!" Of course by the time we got down there, it was 8pm so no beach that night. Our condo was amazing - right off the bay, with a fishing dock right behind us. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living area. My parents had their own condo that was a two bedroom. Jacob, my nephew stayed with them, Stephanie and Devon my other nephew stayed with us.

The first day, we ended up going to a few surf shops, and than Izzy's request, we went to THE BEACH! It was so much fun to see her and Brooklynn in the water and sand. Izzy was a little leary of the water at first, but than became a regular water rat. Brooklynn just cared about eating the sand :).

We spent almost all day there, and by the end we were all exhausted, and I was pretty burnt! So burnt that the next day, I couldn't wear anything on my shoulders. It was an excuse to wear dresses the rest of the vacation.

The second day, we went to a wildlife refuge, and went hiking and driving. We saw birds, alligators (YES ALLIGATORS YIKES), deer, jelly fish, fish, and other random wildlife. Izzy saw an armadillo (thanks to Rango, she knew what one was), but nobody else saw it.

On the way over the the refuge, Devon and I saw a dolphin when we were hopping the ferry, but that was the only time and it was quick. It was a fun, and exhausting, day. The weather was not too bad, but it was a little warm when the wind wasn't blowing. When the wind WAS blowing it was blowing hard.

The third day we went back to the beach, but to a different beach this time. We spent a lot of the day collecting seashells and sitting on the sand and a little time in the water. We also went to the pool that night, and Izzy put her face underwater for the first time! It was amazing.

The fourth day, and we went to USS Lexington, and than to Texas Aquarium. Both were fun. The USS Lexington definitely was not a kid friendly environment - lots of balconies, and steep stairs. The girls enjoyed it, just a lot of anxiety producing events for momma.



The Texas Aquarium was fun, and the girls LOVED seeing all the wildlife. Izzy loved the dolphins, and Brooklynn loved them too. It was so much fun to see the girls just enjoy themselves. Brooklynn learned that she LOVES her nephews! She would not want to get too far from them.

Our final full day, we spent again at the beach. It was so much fun to just relax! We spent some time fishing throughout the week, and caught quite a few fish. We ate at lots of great restaurants, and went to some really cute shops.

The following day, we left early and drove to San Antonio and did some walking on the Riverwalk and driving around. The whole flight home, Izzy kept saying "I want to go home, I miss Carmen and Busa!!" It was a great trip, but I think her comment fit where we all were at. While it is nice to get away, it is nice to be home. Now if there was some way to make home Corpus Christi....Just kidding, but it was beautiful down there!