Port Aransas

Well our vacation has finally started. We started our Saturday with the usual trip to Little Gym and then went home to finish packing. We then had an uneventful drive to Port Aransas and checked in a little early to the house we rented "Tropical Niche". It is a really nice 3 bed / 2 bath house with plenty of space. The dogs like it too as there is plenty of room for them. We didn't really feel like cooking so we went out for dinner to a seafood restaurant called "Castaways" and came home for an early night. But Sunday was a fun and tiring day. After breakfast we went to the local grocery store to pick up some things and then we came home and got ready to walk to the beach. We packed the beach bag and umbrella and the 4 of us set off for the beach. From the house to get to the beach was about 3/4 mile walk. Beaches here are not like Newcastle - there are very lengthy boardwalks to take to get to the actual sand. But we made it there just to find out that you can actually drive onto the beach! So you can guess what we did in the afternoon - we purchased a pass to be able to drive and park on the beach. It must be a US thing too because in general most cars don't drive on the beach and you're usually not able to because the sand is so soft. Here it is moist and hard and all types of cars and vans are on the beach. Anyway - Amy then got to experience the ocean water. Caitlyn did too, although from the safety of the sling and holding on to Mummy. Amy was a little hesitant at first not wanting the water to touch her feet but when she saw Mummy and Daddy doing it she gave it a shot. She loved it and was wanting to walk out deeper (and by that I mean just up over her knees!). Luckily Daddy was standing next to her for the first 2 times she got knocked over and got a mouthful of salt water. I was sure she would be not wanting to go back in the water after that - but she did, she loved it. I took her a bucket and spade to dig and make a sand castle but she wasn't interested, just wanted to keep playing in the water. After all the activity and walk back to the house it was time for lunch and a nap. Directly across from the house is a pool so we went out in the afternoon to buy some floaties for the girls to use in the pool. I didn't want Caitlyn missing out. So we then came back home and we all went for a swim in the pool. Amy loved laying back and floating around the pool. Caitlyn just hng out with Mummy and was nearly asleep again. Both Jerad and I can't believe how warm the ocean and pool water is at this time of year. Not complaining at all, just pleasantly surprised. Today we'll have more beach and pool time and Daddy is going to play golf in the afternoon. There is an Arnold Palmer course next door to where we are staying. We'll have to see how he does playing with an ocean breeze!