Our Second "Vacation"

So we braved another "vacation". This time we ventured out to Port Aransas, TX with three other families from church to the diocese retreat center. They call it "Family Camp". Joe was not able to join us until Friday night (late) due to a conference in Louisiana so my niece Catherine came to help me and oh how I needed the help. Between packing and preparing four little ones for the beach, she was a God-send!!

Our journey began on Thursday afternoon after the girls Spanish lessons. We picked up my friend, Lori, and were on our way. We arrived in record time with no potty breaks!! After receiving the keys to our room, Audrey immediately climbed on the bed and fell off onto her head and threw up. So Catherine called her dad/my brother (he is a PA) and asked him if we should take her to the ER. He suggested we wait and see. She was fine but it was quite an introduction to the weekend.

Thursday through Saturday morning was a blur of crying (me and the kids) and fun but we survived until Joe got to Port A. We did have a fun time and the girls could live at the beach forever. I don't think that they came out of the water. Cuatro and Audrey could take it or leave it but I hope that changes by next year. Us adults put the kids to bed every night and then gathered on the deck outside to visit and have a cocktail. I laughed most nights until I cried.

The food at the retreat center was AMAZING!! I still think about it. I hope this becomes a family tradition and that the same families go with us every year.

Side note: Here is a funny story I don't want to forget---The first night we went to the beach, we were coming back and there is an outdoor shower on the boardwalk complete with shampoo and soap. Cuatro saw this and in front of EVERYONE and before I could get to him, he stripped completely and was running around under the shower. Thank goodness we knew all but one family. Oh my goodness, I was embarrassed.