Beach Bums

Last week, July 14-July 18, we went to Corpus Christi for a family vacation. Personally, the beach/bay in Corpus Christi is not an ideal vacation to me (I'm more the Cozumel/Cancun type beach person). However, my boys wanted to go to the beach and I strive to please them, so Corpus is where we ended up. We also had to be in the area to help my mother-in-law, so it all worked out.

As soon as we arrived at our hotel the boys headed to the beach. They ran through the sea gulls and got all wet and sandy in the bay. Kade was a little apprehensive about the gulls, but Layton wanted to catch one.

We visited the Texas State Aquarium on the second day of our vacation. The boys love sea animals, so this was right up their alley. We saw an otter show, a dolphin show and a bird show. I even got to participate in the "High Flying" show where rescued birds showed off the tricks they had learned. Kade, especially, was thrilled that he had a "famous" mom. I was instructed to take a picture of the bird that was flying RIGHT at me, at a high rate of speed!

Here is the bird flying right at me!

I have an aunt that lives in Corpus Christi and she helped to coordinate our restaurant visits each night. I know I'm getting old, because I actually look forward to where we get to eat and what we get to eat! The first night we ate at Landry's--it was not any good. The second night we ate at the Water Street Seafood Company. It was awesome. We walked around afterwards and found the Executive Surf Club (a fun bar with an outdoor patio--they had live music and the decor was too cool), plus we walked on the beach with the boys.

Cool car outside of the Executive Surf Club. Layton was asleep, so he missed out on the picture.

The third day of our vacation we toured the U.S.S. Lexington, a WWII aircraft carrier. We all actually enjoyed it! It is a huge ship and the historical facts about it were amazing.

Kade "shooting" some type of gun.

There were several make-believe planes that the boys got in.

This looks like a mean team!

Clint and my dad walking down the flight deck. It was huge. One of the facts stated that three football games could be played simultaneously on the deck.

Kade standing by one of the planes on the flight deck.

Kade taking a pretend nap in a bunk that the sailors slept on.

Kade taking a turn at the wheel.

The boys convinced me to get in a make-believe plane.

We met my aunt for supper and then afterwards went to the beach. There was an ice cream truck at the beach and the boys bought ice cream (sherbet, actually). The ice cream truck was a first for the boys.

Here are two silly pics that I couldn't help but post.

Clint wrapped Layton up in a little hand towel at the hotel--you know the ones that are used as the bath mat. Layton loved it!
Clint, Kade and Layton acting funny outside of a restaurant in Port Aransas.

Once we left Corpus Christi we headed up to Schulenburg, where Clint's mom was. We stopped in Yoakum and the boys let me shop at the Double D Ranchwear outlet--it was fabulous. We then stopped at Shiner, Texas, and toured the Shiner Bock brewery. It was fun--Clint had the best time, of course!

It is always nice to get away for a few days. We had a great time, as you can tell!