The Beach!

Ok.  So I know I am waaaay behind.  Life is busy, as usual.  But a couple weeks ago we took a little mini vacation to the beach!  It was very laid back, we spent a lot of time on the beach, did a dolphin boat tour, went and saw a "Bodies Revealed" exhibit at Moody Gardens (no pics from there...it wasn't allowed, but it was very cool.  Real human bodies preserved to show different aspects.  ie - a healthy lung vs one w lung cancer.  The kids learned a LOT from this.  Very cool.)  We got the kids up after bedtime late one night and took them swimming at the pool (who doesn't love nighttime swimming?!).  They thought I was crazy.  But had a blast.  They loved sleeping in bunk beds (always fun, right?)  We adopted a new pet, Hermie, flew a kite on the beach, fed the seagulls, picnic'ed several times.  We visited some beach gift shops and collected shells.  We went to Pleasure Pier, ate at some nice restaraunts, went to downtown on the Strand and visited a real candy factory, and lots of low key fun things.  It was very nice and relaxing.  Everyone had a great time.  :)  Enjoy the pics!....

our condos...

Again, we spent A LOT of time at the beach!  We were literally right on the beach, walked down from our room and there was the beach!  :)

Hermie, the Hermit Crab that we found the first day...

Checking out the hotel pool too!

Brenna liked swimming under 'bridges'

picnic on the balcony...

back to the beach to fly a kite...

and build some sandcastles...sort of.  ;)

Not sure what Brenna is doing here...

But Brad and Brooke thought it was hilarious...

Crashed!

The next morning visiting the Strand...

home of a real candy factory!

Showing the water line from when Hurricane Ike came through...

Dolphin boat tour..

Here's a cool video from our dolphin boat tour...there were a LOT of dolphins.  We were following a shrimp boat.  Haha!





Then going to check out Pleasure Pier...

And eating at Bubba Gump Shrimp...

Then, on to Moody Gardens, no pics of Bodies Revealed, but they have such beautiful scenery/landscape, had to get a few pics...

Back to hotel in time to go to the beach, again!

Picnic on the beach!

Feeding the birds our leftovers...  :)

more sandcastle building?

We went up after bedtime to swim at the pool (no pics, just fun times), then up the next day we went back to the beach a bit, then headed out of town stopping at a local gift shop to browse and get some supplies for Hermie.  :P

Had a great time!  Sad to be home...it was soo fun and relaxing! :)