Our Final Day in Corpus

So our last day wasn't to eventful! Granny stayed with Gramps at Barkies, we woke up ate breakfast, checked out of the Best Western (funny story, on our first night I wrote the address and phone number...but forgot the name of the hotel...so I sent my granny into the Days inn because I just KNEW it was that one - when she had said Best Western...oops my bad!) Anyway we checked out and went to Barkies! We left for a bit to check out Shell World, well it was closed, maybe permenantly...so we stopped at Walmart for a cake, we were a few days early - but still had to celebrate 91 FABULOUS years of Barkies Life!! Happy Birthday Barkie!!

And 4 of the 5 Generations...

Then we left, I asked to go the "scenic" route = through Rockport...Gramps said OK but I think he wasn't to into it, he sorta missed it and we hit Fulton Beach - still Beautiful!! I played with my camera some more!!
Then we spot some shimping boats - it was by a playground and Peir so we stop to check it out!
Some weird looking Jellyfish, I wish I had thought to video..well i did just not with my camera, they were EVERYWHERE!!
Then off the play for a minute...And then some on the Peir, I stole some of Gramps' pics, so I am in some of them ;)
Funny story...you see here we are heading back to "land" well tanner was WAY ahead of me .. So I say "be careful, don't wanna fall in" and so he RUUUUUUUUNS back to me, saying "Pick me up, Im to slow" HAHA so funny because he was way ahead of me!! silly thing!!

then I spot a fishing line broke with a bobber in the water, so I fish it out!! and then left the weight and hook, someone maybe missing it! :)

then we walk to check out the shimping boat that just came in...

Check out the Pelicans...

No trip is complete with out feeding the birds!! ;)

South Texas Day two!

I seem to have a pattern when going on this vacation...we go spend a day with family and then the beach and then a day of something...and this was no different...We looked into the museum of nature and science since we love the one in Dallas, but it was closed on monday's. Since the TX ST Aquarium is a reciprical of my Zoo membership we get 50% off there, so we decide to got there again!! (we went 3yrs ago on our last trip)

On our way we saw the "big" Bridge - we usually go this was to barkies, but Grandpa doesn't so when Chris told Tanner about it he was excited but we didn't see it...so he was excited to finally get to see it!! BUT we didn't go over it...yet... but here it is....

I was telling them the street used to "break" so the ships could go through, but this was so high that didn't have to happen, and mckinlee informed me she knew this from the TV ...Well...fine... ;) we get to the Aquarium and have a great time,

waiting on.....

the DOLPHINS...McKinlees FAVORITE by far!! the we see several different things... including the USS Lexington - tanner was COMPLETELY fasinated with the big boat!! and it sure is!! the kids haven't been on it...maybe in a few years I will attempt that!! lots of moving and reading in there *I* have been there, it is amazing!! Playing with my zooooooooom lense! :)

Up on the observation deck the kid looked throught the zooming things...not sure if tanners was working we didn't put $$ in his hehehe

We walk to the Blue Angel, entrance to the Lexington Tanner again Loving it!! but wondering why it doesn't fly ;) the anchor...that thing is H.U.G.E.

we walk to the beach for a minute and since we are starving, decide to go to lunch... I had seen a flyer for Peir 99 and we were right by it so we go!! you can't go to the coast and NOT have seafood, right!! the place was cool, like an old shack! but fun none the less...LOVE the sign in case you can't read it..."POOP ALERT do NOT feed the birds" ;) (Top yellow sign)We got the Shrimp Bonanza - OMG LOTS of shrimp and very VERY good!! EXCEPT since Tanner and his dad went fishing with shrimp - he decided you aren't suppose to eat it! and it was a fight, although finally getting him to try chickenshrimp he did eat a bit!! Look at all that food!!

I saw this and had it printed, I will frame it for our Disney Trip ... and put by chris's side of the bed :) I LOVE it!!

After filling our bellies, VERY full - OVER the bridge we go to the Corpus Christi Beach...we walk along the jetti some, and then go to see if this beach has shells, since the other one did not... SURE does I find a Super cool one, But LOOOOOOOK what is in it!!Hermit Crabs..in EVERY shell!! we actually brought one home not knowing, mckinlee even put it up to her ear but it was waaay hidden!! it died and I thought would fall out but it didn't and it REALLLLY stank, so I chunked it...YUCK!! all of these had creatures and this was just a few of them!I told the kids to try not to get tooo wet...WHAT was I thinking...Tanner was SOAKED!!! and mckinlee not much better!!

So they walked into the hotel with just panties and undies, although McKinlee HAD to have a towel of course! ;)

that night we went night hunting...when I was PG with McKinlee I found several sand dollars about 10ish at night, and so now it is a MUST to go look although I have never found one since! :( the kids kind liked it although mckinlee was worried about not seeing our shoes or the car!!

On our way back up to the car, tanner almost stepped on this...

I am certian it is a jellyfish...so I start really paying attention...and found this!!!!

just trying this out...a video on the star fish look close you can see it move.....

Our South Texas Trip

well we have been on the move again...surpised?? hehe we went to S. Texas - My GREAT Grandmother, Barkie, lives in Ingelside...along with her daughter, Deloris and Granddaughter, Karyn. Tanner was a baby last time we went - so I decided it was time again to go! So, I talked my Granny and Grandpa into going...have I told you that I have the BEST grandparents around!! I just love them!! They put up with me and my kids and don't complain, much!! hehe

SOOOOO we get up early early Sat morning... REALLY Early, like 6:30 am...get to Grannys about 10:00ish...run a bit and back on the road about 10:30am...and by 11:30 McKinlee was already how much longer!! little did she now it was over 350 miles and so it would be a long day!! the kids played paper airplanes with granny and they were sooo giggly for a long time, who knew paper could be so fun!! ;) McKinlee also got a call from her BFF Chance, so that put a big smile on her face....

**incase you DON't Know, this will be VERY pic heavy!! We stop in Schenburg or something like that...Grandpa does NOT drive the interstate, which when i drive I hate, but riding no biggie - very senic and I love that!! I didn't get the camera out anymore, what is wrong with me??? We get to Ingelside about 6ish we attempt a hotel, not thinking it was Saturday at the beach...decide to go to Barkie's visit a bit FINALLY after calling about 50 hotels find one in Portland and leave about 9pm to get the kids in bed...not that they went to bed but I tired!!

So Sunday we get up get dressed and head to Barkies, with Beach plans following...Grandpa had stayed with Barkie to *try* and get some peace...we pack a small cooler and we head over ... After a bit of can we leave yet, can we leave yet ... we hop in the car drive over to Aransas Pass and board the Ferry to go over to Mustang Island...Tanner was not really liking the boat idea, as we has issues with water stuff...which is funny since after a bit he LOVES it...he did NOT want out onto the ferry until the VERY end and then he LOVED it!!!
We get to the beach.. and well - its very "sea weedy" or as Tanner said, "lots of Weed-sea" I had brought McKinlees New Petti skirt...and attempted some pics...

She wasn't into it at ALL, and with no place really to sit with out soaking I said, OK forget it...go play!!!! and so we did....

We buried McKinlee so then she said it was my turn, it was hard since the sea weed was so close to where the waves came up it would just wash it away as quick as you covered their legs...I had told her about a friend that made their child a mermaid and she wanted me to do that...
Also attempted a mommy/children pic - tanner not so interested...im basically holding his head up w/ mine! Granny came and had a little fun I hope! :)
We leave after a little over an hour since we are STARVING...we stop for post cards for our friends and then of course some pics in the shark it takes us 45 mins to get back across the ferry ... I had thought about coming back, have that not so much!! we go the McD's per Tanner's Request and back to Barkies a bit ..McKinlee watches some Cartoons on TV -Tanner takes advantage of Cars on my ipod *hehe*- Instead of the beach...we decide to leave to go to the P O O L at the hotel and then showers and bed early...as we planned on the Aqurium the next day...Tanner was asleep by 9:15p I think that was the earliest in MONTHS!!! Thank goodness, it gave me a few minutes of peace!!! we JUST got home and this is a bit of work, so day 2 will be later!! :)