The Beauchamp FamilyYes, we really are this geeky…

The first beach we went to was Rockport Beach. Tom and I really like this beach. There are just gentle waves, the sand is real sand (with a little gravel mixed in). There are little “tiki hut umbrella” things to sit in the shade and the kids have to walk through grass to get back to the car (no sand in the car!). What a great little beach park for kids!

This trip is from last week, we went with our housemates – you’ll see J and Marie (our niece) playing as well…

One of the kid’s favorite things to do is feed the ducks and birds in the canal… the ducks we have seen a few times, this one always comes with a mate – then we have a bachelor that has visited us a few times as well. The birds are the birds, but it’s really cool how close they will get to you!

We needed to replace the water in the kid’s pool last month (finding old photos here folks!)… Tom had a unique way of doing that…

We got up early this past Saturday and went in search of the shrimporee parade in Aransas Pass. Unfortunately, my camera died early on, but I still got a few pictures (the clown is my favorite, they kids like HEBuddy – of course!). We had a great time even thought it was hotter than hot out there. We got a great spot and were able to look at all the floats and fun stuff. Well worth the effort to get there!

I don’t remember if the cow was a mascot or if he was just a cow… the candy we got was ridiculous though… the kids ended up with a huge amount.

Tom and I thought this was one cool dude…

The unicycle guy was there representing the library

There were 3 or 4 fire trucks there. It’s a small town, I wonder if they were all there and what would have happened if a fire broke out?

Thanks, Aransas Pass, for a great memory!

When we went through Aransas Pass to get to Rockport, we kept seeing signs for a “Shrimporee“, so we googled it. It is a festival (61 years and counting) with carnival rides and games, food, shows and fun. We were SO there! I was really hoping for a guy dressed in a shrimp costume, but we didn’t see one. Cassie was still a little sore about the whole “kissing her Daddy” thing, so I thought I could win her back over by bribing her with carnival games. 4 small stuffed animals later, I think she forgives me.

I have some other pictures to share of the parade, but for now, here are some things from the shrimporee grounds:

My niece, Marie, tried the trampoline bungee thing… my kids were too wimpy to do such a thing!

Speaking of Marie… this child had never had a funnel cake. My sister is obviously depriving this child… we got her one and she licked the powdered sugar off the plate when she finished polishing it off…

Cassie wanted to go on the carousel, of course. Tom took the other kids on the Farris wheel.

But the best part of the day was when I was kicking myself repeatedly for not bringing my big camera. We saw the Pacific Islanders (no fire show because of the winds, I was seriously bummed) and Tom got invited up on stage to have a hula contest. The man can’t move his hips, he looks like a duck, I have video too, just need to get it downloaded and edited. Yes, I will be sharing the fun In the mean time…

You got to hand it to him though… my man is a good sport. We got a photo op picture afterwards…

Our friends and housemates last week offered to watch the kids so we could have a date night. I told Cassie that I was going to go on a date with “her Daddy” and she got a little offended. To make matters worse, I informed here that yes, I would kiss her Daddy. She didn’t believe that I would commit such a heinous act, so I took a picture to show her. She got all flustered and a little angry with me. Apparently I’m not allowed to kiss “her Daddy”. Possessive little thing, isn’t she?

We went to this amazing little Italian place called Bellino’s (and I will be writing a review for my review blog soon). But the food was fantastic. If you are ever in Rockport TX, you must check this place out. I had the Pollo Piccata and it was one of the best chicken dishes I’ve ever had. And the pasta was done to perfection. So so so good. Plus we had a great time. It was nice that the restaurant was so fabulous, but even if it was horrible, we almost always manage to have a good time. After we went looking for a Starbucks and I looked it up on my phone. It said there was one, but once we got lost trying to find it and ran into it, it was closed down. I think we laughed so hard we got a tummy ache Anyway, check this place out… and don’t kiss “Cassie’s Daddy”… she might get all huffy!

We have been here in Rockport, TX for a week now. Dy and her family are leaving today but we are spending one more week and Tom’s family will join us for the 2nd week. I haven’t taken many photos, but we’ve had a blast, the pool, the beach, the aquarium, hanging around, fishing, and more… this is a photo dump from my cell phone. I hope to have other pictures later on… but we love it here. We are considering making this a yearly thing (or every other year). Heck, honestly, I wish we could get a 2nd home here and rent it out when we aren’t using it… long term goals, right? (shhh, don’t let my CPA see that!). My niece, Marie, is here for the next month still, (obviously she’ll be coming back to Austin with us)

This is the view down the canal from the house we are staying at from the balcony in the morning. It’s gorgeous. These are the first shots that I have taken with my Palm Pre. It takes amazing photos, really.

Fishing and relaxing… and goofing off…

We took the kids to the Aquarium in Corpus..

In early March, we hit 80, it “cooled” down to 70 and Cassie woke up one morning with one thought in her head. The kiddie pool. We tried to tell her she’d be too cold and it was still Winter! But no, she decided it was time to drag out the pool.

Tom and I are pretty “whatever” parents. I mean, really, what’s the worst than can happen? She decides it’s too cold and comes in? And, no, kids don’t get sick from being in cold weather or being outside and wet. Old wives tale.

So, what the heck, right? We grabbed the towels and watched and waited for them to decide to come in… for an HOUR. Apparently “they like the cold”.

*shrug* Kept ‘em happy.

Of course, last week we were in the 30s and 40s. Of course. Welcome to Austin.

(and yes, she is that crazy)

It’s finally starting to cool down here in Austin. We are having high 70s to low 80s afternoon weather. Earlier this month, the said it was too hot to play outside and wanted to play in the pool. I thought they would get in and then get out… apparently not.

I did catch them in there later huddled together saying they were cold. Hehehehe… a small score for mom to be RIGHT!

My friend, Julie, invited a group of us out to her cabin in the woods this past Saturday – about a 45-60 minute drive from our place, but so worth the trip! It was absolutely gorgeous. There’s this little cabin with these tables set up outside, a stock pond behind it, there was a small oak tree grove where the monarch butterflies were roosting. It was such a beautiful day with friends. All of our kids got along SO well and they played until they were all exhausted. I never thought I’d say I had FUN in the woods, but this was absolutely fun. I totally cannot wait to do it again.

AND Cassie caught a fish! I cast the line and not a minute later, Cassie had her first fish.

Yes, she wouldn’t take off her shin guards (we had a game beforehand we had to go to). She only caught one, but I took 2 pictures. She was SO excited.

Jamie’s BFF came with us, and he caught a fish too (just a little thing compared to Cassie’s little fish). On the 2nd cast out there, a minute minute later, we had another fish.

Poor Jamie didn’t catch anything. He tried and tried. I felt so bad for the kid. I blame Tom, we were doing fine until he came down. He’s our unlucky charm.

I definitely can’t wait to go back. It was absolutely gorgeous out there. I could feel the stress of the week just draining away.

I could TOTALLY kick myself though. I meant to bring my good DSLR camera, but I forgot it. I’m only allowed to take pictures of Cassie every other soccer game (yes, I bargain with my 5 year old, you would too if you knew her). So I didn’t put it in the car. All I had with me is my point and shoot. I could have gotten some absolutely amazing pictures of the butterflies if I had brought it. Dang it!

We’re coming back, Julie! And this time I’ll bring my good camera and take more pictures!

Thanks for having us!