Padre Island

While my parents were here visiting we took an impromptu trip to the beach. The kids had never ever been to the ocean and because it's not peak season we got a great deal on the condo. We left Thursday at noon and David drove down after work and met us. It's only a 2.5 hour drive and it was incredibly reminiscent sitting in the back while my Mom read to my Dad up front. 

This was our condo that was made for families with a set of parents! There was one master bedroom with a king bed downstairs and then another master upstairs along with a kids room that had a bunk bed and two twins. It was PERFECT! We took advantage of having a kitchen and ate all our meals at the condo.

My favorite part was that off our balcony we had the pool and playground. We could nap Scotty and the baby monitor would reach out to the pool so we could all still be outside.

First night on the beach.

 

As I was writing all the kids' names in the sand Hannah went and wrote my name in the sand and took my picture. She's sentimental like that and doesn't want anyone to be left out.

You can drive your car right up to the beach where you play. It's so nice not to have to haul chairs, food and toys down the beach.

We originally thought the kids would last an hour at the beach before the wind got old for them. We were so wrong. The first night we got there they played until the sun went down and couldn't get enough.

They had no fear of the waves and built endless amounts of sand castles. Scotty crawled around ate the sand and seaweed and stayed so happy. It was amazing how everyone took to the beach like pros!

These two got a little too brave with the waves and we kept having to call them back closer to us.

Nana helping build sand castles.

My mom caught this picture of us trying to get settled to take a picture. We look like so many when we're all just gathered around. 

 Me with los Padres on Padre Island. It's only appropriate.

Fun little souvenir shop where we managed to get 3 shirts for $10 and break a snow globe.

Lucy is an adult trapped in a 2 year old's body. She does whatever the grown ups do.

I'm so grateful the top 3 can swim. My life is SO much easier around water!

Last day at the beach. 

Having the beach just 2.5 hours away that was not crowded and had super cheap accommodations made me love San Antonio even more!

San Antonio So far

I had to calculate how long we've been here three times. I can't believe it's been just a little less than 3 months. San Antonio already feels like home. I still feel like the newbie when someone references a street I don't know or when I don't recognize everyone in our ward but it feels like we've been here a year! School started for the kids and I and we got busy. 

I've been to school to eat lunch with these two a bunch and helped out in their classrooms. I love their elementary school. They have a leadership class each week where they learn the 7 Habits for Highly Effective kids and families are required to come up with a Family Motto, priorities etc. Texas understands the importance of the family and it makes me SO happy to be back in God's country!

 We've found amazing parks!

We've made towers (and messes!) in the playroom.

I dressed up four pirates for free donuts at Krispy Kreme.

This little boy has learned to crawl and take a bottle here! (And we've painted!)

We went to our neighbor pool at least a dozen times before it closed on October 1st.

 We live right in the middle of New Braunfels and San Antonio... actually a little closer to New Braunfels. So we've taken advantage of their smaller less busy children's museum. We have yet to venture to downtown San Antonio because life hit us so quickly but we have big plans!

The water area is a huge hit.

Playground area outside.

The painting area.

We've been to Sea World at least 10 times. We're groupies.

Mallie takes the bus to and from preschool, the kids are well ingrained in their elementary school and they've been invited to so many birthday parties I've had to start saying no. It's been so nice that they all have all already found buddies (even Lucy!) who they play with regularly. Even me, my neighbor and I run with our strollers every morning and I'm serving in YW again. We've been to dentists and doctors. We've had friends over for dinner. We've been to the temple lots and have great babysitters. Our street is full of kids and friends their ages and they spend hours riding bikes and cars up and down driveways. David is out the door early each morning but gets home by 3:30 so we have no complaints. See what I mean when I say I can't believe it hasn't even been 3 months?

 It is hot, and fall may never come, but we are so so happy!