Our annual college reunion trip to Port Aransas this past weekend was filled with TONS of kids (22 to be exact), lots of hilarious moments, one map-oversight for us resulting in one very frustrated Steven, a poopy 3 1/2 year old who refused to be photographed on picture day or participate in the toddler race, lots of good food and no sunburns. Well, there was a lot more to it than that. Our trip down was great. Both kids did wonderfully in the car. Blanket boy actually took a nap!
We were condomates with our good friends Bret & Sara and their kids Isa & Diego. Matt & Isa played like best friends all weekend and were rather attached to each other. We ended up putting Matt, Isa & Diego all in one room to sleep at night. The first night it was a total party in there. Diego was running laps in his pack & play, and Matt & Isa were jumping on their beds, shouting, and running around. Bret & I each went in there multiple times. My mistake, however, was telling them "that's enough" as I chastised and threatened in my meanest mom voice. Then, all I heard the remaining days was "that's enough!" as Isa & Matt giggled and taunted each other. They thought it was hilarious. So, every other night we put Matt to sleep on our bed and then transferred him into the kid room. It worked. I like the one inappropriate picture of Matt & Isa under the sheets. They had a ball.
There were so many of us...we must have looked like quite the group. 14 couples and all their kids. It was wild. Look at us totally taking over the pool. Also notice how most of the kids are brave enough to jump into the pool now. But not ours. He clings to us with a death grip. Not a natural swimmer, that one. Maybe next year?
Matthew's favorite part of the beach was playing in the sand. And enjoying everyone's snacks. He liked the water only if one of us would carry him and jump waves while holding him. Tightly. Lots of cool things were made and destroyed in the sand. These kids are getting creative. So are their fathers. William liked playing in the sand until it got all over his face and inevitably in his eyes and mouth. That child is so flexible. He slept peacefully on me while down at the beach and did great in his pack & play every night. Sweet natured little baby.
Grill night was insanity as usual. Matt ran around without his shoes on and was all kinds of funky by the end of the evening. This picture is great because not only are our children playing with empty beer bottles, but Matt once again refuses to look at the camera. He had a blast playing with all his friends until we had to leave abruptly to answer Mother Nature's panicked call.
Saturday was the day we dress all our kids in Longhorn gear and force them to line up for a picture. Ours couldn't be forced. He was sour that morning. The guys watched the Texas game that night at a local establishment while the girls stayed back with the kids.
Sunday night us girls got together and played dominoes in the condo reck room. We gathered around the ping pong table and devoured desserts and drinks. At least until we were kicked out at 11.
Here's our condo family. Joneses and Olivers, room 125. Aw yeah.
It was a great, great trip. Naturally, Matthew is asking when we get to go back. He thinks he's getting robbed by only getting to go once a year. I agree. But at least we know that one trip is one that gives us fuel for conversation all year through. See you next year Port A!
Saturday the boys and I had the pleasure of watching the UT game over at the Reners while Steven was at work drowning in flu shots. Matt & Ava were pretty sweet to each other all day. Matt missed a nap that day and it showed when he had a meltdown while they were riding bikes in the driveway. That boy needs his sleep. Those two enjoyed watching Will jump around and chat it up. I love that they pulled up chairs so they could be close to him. This picture is taken after we made them back up a little bit and they're still all up in his face! He loved it though.
Later that evening I gave Matt a reading lesson from one of my cookbooks. Random, I know. But really, he recognizes a lot of cooking terms and food words. Cake being one of them. What?
This is Matthew yesterday after school. I had to wake that boy up he slept so long that afternoon. He was sleeping hard. He didn't even flinch when I took the picture.
And then there's my little William. He's 8 months old! I can't even believe it. He's chatty as can be and is eating all kinds of exciting foods. He's doing really well getting the food into his mouth all on his own, and this is him eating some cheese and chicken. He loved it. He's not crawling yet but is oh so close. It's hilarious to watch him try though because he basically spins around on his belly and scoots around in a circle. Spin the baby! I also have my suspicions that he's got some teeth coming in on the bottom. We'll see! He is such a fun baby and has such a sweet, happy disposition. We are so blessed!
