Galveston Family Vacation 2014 (day 3&4)

Seems everyone slept quite nicely last night, so after we finish breakfast we put on our swimsuits and head back to the beach.  Who knows what we might find out there today!

We make our way to the beach, and I wish I could say the seaweed had disappeared but it didn't.  It's there and maybe a little taller piles.

The kids play in the sand and we walk the beach looking for shells. The treasures of the sea just aren't out there this morning.

Chuck walks back to the house as he has a conference call to take today.  Wish he was having a vacation like we are, cause we are enjoying every minute of this so far.

We play  a little more and decide to pack up and go back to the house.  We loaded up in the truck, and Heather and the kids were going to walk back, until I offered them a lift on the tailgate of the truck. Wish you could have seen the smiles those kids had on their faces.  Another first for them.

Riding the Ferry, looking for dolphins  

A few more first for the grand kids were, ice cream truck that came by, golf cart ride from a few girls that were neighbors, a ride on a ferry.
We ate lunch out on a pier....just all those great thing a person gets to do with the ocean as your backdrop.








I didn't mention rain because it really didn't rain that much more.









I could write on and on about the little things we did, but going to cut it short and just say that this was one of those vacation moments that will stay in my mind and heart for a very long time.
I love our small family so very much and feel so lucky to spend quality time with all of them.






I just wish my husband could have had a little more vacation instead of work, but sometimes that just doesn't work out.

By the third day Chuck had nicknamed Cash " Seaweed" and Cooper was "Mermaid".
Cooper experienced a lot of " first" and she accepted them with open arms.

Our Abode for a few days

Cash & his Shark Necklace  

On "The Strand" 

Pops with Seaweed & Mermaid

Final evening!!!  

What a smile!  

Cash, wasn't real sure about all his firsts, but he was getting the hang of it by the time we said goodbye to the ocean and seaweed.





Enjoyed this chapter in my life and had to share. ;)

Galveston Family Vacation 2014 (day 2)

We wake to more rain.
There is a new McDonalds on the seawall, so we head there for breakfast.
It is nothing short of a washout at this point.
The rain has really decided to come down, and people are scrambling this morning to stay somewhat dry.
Chuck has some work to catch up on, so the wifi worked out perfectly for that.
I am sure most of you can understand when I say, we just sit there....but it was a nice sit!












We meet up with the "the kids" around 2pm.  The  storms keep rolling in.




The Spot was busy as usual, and we found a couple of tables upstairs, where you could be outside, but covered from the weather.
The food was as good as it always is.
No surprises!!







We can't check into the house until 4, but we go ahead and drive out to it.
It is about 7 miles from 61st Street.
My son found the home we are renting through VRBO.
So far so good, as we drive up.
We try the code to get in, but looks like the door will not open until 4pm sharp!

There was a nice street level place to park both cars and tables and chairs to sit at as we waited for the time to pass, and yes it was still raining!
Finally 4pm, and we get access to the house.
It is nothing short of "nice".
Just as it was pictured on the site.
Lots of stairs and unloaded is done in the next 30 minutes.

The grandkids have found their bunk beds and are quite happy with their accommodations  :)
My mom and Louie get the master suite.
More stairs for them, as they are on the 3rd level.
Heather and I get our shopping list ready, and we leave everyone to go shopping at the Walmart back in town.

The rains continue as we load the truck with our purchases.






As we return to make some dinner for the hungry travelers the rain starts to let up.
We finish up and get changed into beach clothes, and head to the beach.
Time to get some sand between our toes and find some sea treasures.

First time the kids have ever been to the ocean!

The seaweed didn't agree with Cash, our 3 yr old grandson.  He didn't like "seaweed", and truthfully it really didn't feel that great as it wraps around your feet!




But, hey, we are here, and by golly we are going to have some fun!










The outdoor shower is really nice, as we all clean off the sand we brought back.
The kids thought that was just about the coolest thing they had ever seen.






Day 1 at the beach house is about over, and although not a complete day, it has been a lot of fun and very busy.







The kids played with the Jinga game we brought back from our grocery shopping trip.
Enjoyed today and all the "new" experiences the grand kids had.
More to come tomorrow. ;)

Galveston Texas Vacation 2014

Family vacation 2014

Take two great grandparents....add two grandparents....two grand kids...and then add son and daughter in law....meet in Galveston Texas for a few days of R&R.

That is exactly what we did.

We have a three bedroom house in the Pirate Beach area for three nights waiting for us.
The weather was a bit different for the month of June, as we got rained on as we headed South.
Texas is in such a drought situation, and we know how desperately they are needing rain, so we didn't complain.
We drove to Galveston and got a motel for the night.
We will meet up with the kids on Thursday.
My mom and step-dad weathered the ride well.
They were excited to get out of town, and since they  hadn't been to Galveston in a lifetime, they looked forward to the trip.
We had been warned about the seaweed, but until you actually see it, you can't imagine how bad it was.

Very strange thing happened as we come to the end of 61st street.
First and foremost, the SMELL....Seaweed decomposing....gassy smell....YUCK!




As you look out onto the water we can see what we thought was a water spout off shore.
I am able to get a picture of it.
Come to find out, the news later reports that Galveston had a tornado....hmmm....guess that wasn't just a water spout....and what are the odds that we would drive out to the seawall and see this...Amazing!!!

The temperature was really pleasant, and we are on vacation.
Life is great.
Enough excitement for one day...we head back to our motel and get some rest, for tomorrow we go to our home away from home.  :)