Life's a Beach

We decided a nice little family vacation is what we all needed, so we planned a great little get away with Galyn's family ... Mimi, Aunt Trisha, Uncle Matt and Amy and us. We decided we would go for a nice long weekend. We couldn't quite decide where we wanted to go, but pretty quickly we all agreed that the beach would be a great place to relax. We were trying to decide where we would go, what coast, what beach?

Probably because of all my very fond memories of my family vacations growing up I was quick to suggest South Padre Island. I told them all about the great little condos we stayed at. They were right on the beach, it had a grassy area and a pool ... it would be prefect. Well needless to say(being a great salesman) Sangria Condos, South Padre Island is were the vacation was planned.

Once everything was booked is when I started getting a little nervous. I started to think and realized that it had been at least 10 ... maybe 11 years since I had last been there.

Hmm ... there is a lot of stuff that can happen in 10 years. Not a problem ... I'll just check the website I'm sure the pictures will reassure me that everything is peachy keen.

This place is a rather small condominium complex ... and their website was also small. And, best I could tell, the pictures were taken 10 years ago ... So, I asked my parents. Surely they had been there more recently than I had. Turns out they hadn't been down there in about 10 years either.

Now, I'm really starting to get nervous about this. What is this place going to look like? I may have totally over sold this whole trip.

Well, it turns out that 10 years didn't make much difference to the place. All that worry for not. It was just like I remembered it ... little beach condos, complete with tacky beach decor, right on the grassy area with a walkway leading down to the beach. It was great (minus our incredibly hard bed)! We had a wonderful time.

Here are some (okay, okay ... a bunch of) pictures from out trip:

Loaded up, leaving the condos heading down to the beach!

It was pretty much like moving anytime we went down there.

Mmm, this sand is SO delicious.

Tyler about to catch a few waves.

Ryan and Mimi chillin' in the ocean.

Amy ... So Cute!

Ryan and Mommy hanging out by the water.

Ryan taking a break from all the sun.

Uncle Matt, Aunt Trisha & Amy.

The Gafford Boys

Tyler getting ready to hunt for some sand crabs.

Thanks to the bed that's harder than I like, I was able to catch the sunrise ...


We all went out one night and found this great go-cart track!

Luckily, since Tyler is a giant 3 yr old he was able to make the 42" height requirement to ride in the go-cart. He LOVED it! First he rode with Daddy and Aunt Trisha and Uncle Matt went too.

Then he got to ride with Mommy ... Uncle Matt loved the go-carts as much as Tyler & he went again with us.

Feeding the sea gulls. We tossed bread up to one sea gull and within seconds there were 30 flying over us, swooping down catching the bread in mid air. Galyn wasn't as excited about Tyler tossing the bread since it kept hitting his head and the birds still would swoop down to catch it. He got some really up close views of the sea gulls. Tyler and I thought it was funny!

South Padre Island '09

9 Months Old

Ryan is now 9 months old ... (well, almost 10 months now since I'm getting this up late). He turned 9 months in the middle of July. It's now almost the middle of August, so yes, time is flying. He had his check up and everything was great, especially since there were no shots! He weighed 23 lb 7 oz and was 28.5 inches. He's getting to be a big boy ... So, Tyler, you better watch out ... one of these days Ryan is going to surprise you and get you back.

Swimming Lessons

Tyler had his first swim lessons in July. He loved them! They were great and Tyler made a lot of progress in his swimming, like swimming to the steps. Tyler still has no fear and now thinks he can really swim... which is a deadly combination. You have to watch him like a hawk around the pool. He thinks he can jump in anywhere, anytime and swim the length of the pool if he so desires. But, all in all, the swim lessons are great and we will definitely be doing more!

Getting all the kids to sit on the step is a little bit like trying to herd cats.

Swimming through the hula hoop.

Getting the Ring.

Swimming to the step.

Tyler and his friends waiting for their turn to jump in.

Last day of class ... A certificate which was trumped by the water gun.

Happy 4th!

Parades, Swimming and Fireworks! That's what we did this 4th of July. We went to a 4th of July parade in the morning and then went over to Grandma and Grandpa's for some swimming.

No Fear!

Fireworks... They were a big discussion around our house. Tyler could not wait to see them. We got all loaded up and went to the fireworks. But, once they started it was a different story. He did not want to see firework and insisted on sitting in the middle of the car. Ryan on the other hand was fine ... he seemed to enjoy them. Then once they were done and we loaded back up, Tyler asked if we could see more fireworks...

JUMP, JUMP, JUMP

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER!
3 Years Old!!

Okay, so I'm a little behind on getting these pictures up (Tyler's birthday is in June) ... but what's new. We have our big computer fixed and working again, which holds all our pictures, so I am hopeful I can stay a little more current.

Tyler had a wonderful birthday with all of his friends and family. This was his first birthday party where he invited friends. The party was at Pump-It-Up (by the way, a great place for a party). He was so into it and had such a great time.

Instructional video ... I'm amazed at how well a bunch of 3 year olds were able to sit so quietly and pay attention. I'm guessing the tv helped.

A group photo ... yes Tyler is the one that's laying, rolling around on the mat ... not sitting up.

Birthday Cake

Make a Wish!

It wasn't until they started cutting the cake that I thought, black icing may not be the best...