Family and the Texas Coast

We made our annual family excursion to Port Aransas mid August. Unanimously, we decided to forgo our usual digs at the rundown Sea Isle Village and try something new. In search of that something new-er and cleaner, and more comfortable in the mattress department, we googled, compared and finally decided on a 3 bedroom condo at Twin Palms Condominiums. I think we have all since concluded that the Sea Isle tradition was over-rated. The new place was great. In fact, if Seed Pod Properties ever finds itself in the position to invest in another piece of real estate, my mom and I have it planned, picked out, and of course, decorated from floor to ceiling.

Not surprisingly, Willa took to the ocean like a little fish, and when we weren't at the beach, she was wielding the garden hose in the courtyard of the condo. And when we took her down to the pool, she learned to hold her nose and go under the water, and did it over and over again, pausing only for applause, until she had inadvertently taken in so much water that she spit up a little. To which she politely covered her mouth and said, "excuse me." (Thank you, Gigi.) Yes, she is getting so big, and so smart, and so polite and sweet. It seems like we are in a constant state of pleasant disbelief and beaming pride.

Sean was the early riser of the bunch and therefore, assumed the responsibility of the ice chest packer/lawn chair hauler/tent putter-upper (and taker-downer.) By the third day, we was a little grumpy over this. Willa mostly clung to her Mimi as if for dear life, to the point that all the rest us felt a bit rejected and annoyed. Of course not annoyed in a bad way. :-) Just a selfish kind of longing for our own personal dose of Willa's affection. Mimi enjoyed it though, and she deserved that. Chris and Sean shared in the evening food preparation and Wanda provided some spectacular breakfasts and homemade sweetness. (Iced brownies and her famous lemon pie.) Dean and River joined us, along with Ransom, Cole, Alli, and two of her friends. Crazy Johnny and family stuck with tradition and stayed up the road, but joined us on the beach. It was a great escape and everyone seemed to enjoy the time together in the sun. It was a vacation I certainly needed and appreciated!