Mustang Island, Summer 2011

We had a great vacation in (on?) Mustang Island. We just got back a couple of hours ago and I was really wanting to get photos up (so it's not hanging over my head for the next week)!

It was a wonderful week with not much of an agenda. We rented a condo on the beach and LOVED it so much. The condo had three wonderful pools that the boys spent a ton of time in....probably more than their time on the actual beach. We cooked most of our meals in our condo and the boys have now decided they want bunk beads like they had in Mustang Island. 

Be prepared....it's picture city.

Okay, so the above pic is probably a bit odd. But the one thing about our condo that had us in stitches was the CrAzY shower/tub/jacuzzi that required gymnastics to actually get into. I just had to take a pic. All four of us (if not a couple of extra people) could fit in this 1982 monstrosity. And you felt a bit "on stage" when in the shower since it had this huge glass window (covered in seashell beads?) that opened into the bedroom. BUT, you could watch the Today show while showering. 

We loved grilling out by the pool. (The boys little heads are bobbing in the water in the back).

Mmmm. Why does charcoal-grilled food cooked by a beach taste SO good?

We logged in lots of hours of beach time. We even braved it when there was a high rip tide warning....the water was all the way up to the dunes because of Tropical Storm Arlene. 

Heehee....this little fellow somehow ended up in Jonathan's swim trunks. He stripped right on the beach to get him out! We laughed so hard....Jonathan of all people! ; )

Lunching it up...

followed by afternoons at the pools...

And a mandatory REST time....even Benjamin (who hasn't napped in a few years) was so tuckered out and needed that sleep every afternoon.

We were also THRILLED to catch up with our friends, the Hills, who now live in Corpus Christi. They drove out to the island one night to have dinner with us. It was wonderful to hang out!

The Hills lived in Muleshoe at the same time as we did. We had some super fun times!!

And the boys adored Nathan & Melanie's precious daughter, Hadlea. They all had a blast together!

We made these crabbie sammies that my friend, Amanda, made famous on her beach trip.

And Melanie brought over yummy strawberry shortcake...which apparently needs no spoon for!

Melanie & I caught a great sunset walking back from the pool! Pretty!

Another night, we headed out to Port Aransas for a great dinner at a place called Beaches.

And we went to a great candy store where Benjamin found....LEGO CANDY!!

Thursday was overcast (and the rip tide was even worse) so we headed to Corpus to the aquarium.

Jonathan especially loved the dolphin show.

We headed down to the underwater observation area to see the dolphins even closer. Is it just me or is the dolphin smiling?

A peek-a-boo tank!

Petting a starfish.

Touching a stingray.

Du-Nuh....Du-Nuh....

Since the last time we visited this aquarium, they added a great splash pad. The boys loved it!

Getting soaked!

Soaking others!

After the aquarium, we headed to Doc's on the bay for a great seafood lunch.

Then back to the condo to make homemade ice cream for supper....a new vacation tradition!

And it was goooood!! 

We also purchased two new friends to come home with us from the beach.

HOWEVER, we were sad that one of them went to that great painted hermit crab shell in the sky when we were dumb enough to leave them in the hot car while we had lunch at Cracker Barrell. Doh!

Rest in peace, little friend. 

One absolutely wonderful vacation. Wishing we were back there right now!!