Galveston Beach 2016

Aside from the monsoon we drove through to get to Galveston, we had a wonderful time on our annual cousins' trip! For the third year in a row, we met with (some of) my first cousins and their spouses and kids to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Galveston near the beach. Such a wonderful time...so much fun and quite memorable.

this is somewhere outside of Houston

It took us a little over eight hours to get to Galveston. That is a long time.

This was a first for us. Flooding in real-life.

Anyway...I was fascinated. I'm pretty sure this small town (still don't know where we were at this point) floated away. :( Okay, probably not, but it certainly looked that way.

Walker slept through most of it. Turns out he was running a fever, but we were grateful that he slept during most of the stop-and-go traffic.

dessert with the (second) cousins after our long drive (minus Walker...he was feeling crummy)

This cracks me up. When I read nonfiction, educational books I tend to highlight important facts and information. Walker noticed me doing it, so he wanted to do the same thing. He highlighted the funny parts in his Junie B. Jones book. I love it. :)

YAY for the BEACH. The kids (and parents) were literally out the door at 8:45 a.m. 

Eva and Andi with Charli in the background

That's a dog next to Walker...it totally took him by surprise and made me laugh!

Lainey and Charli

Andi and Lucie

I love that they are not afraid to get completely sandy and dirty.

The girls were playing "Jungle Book" and Lainey was Mowgli #3 and Andi was Mowgli #2 (hence the sand covering Lainey's body).  

A few tricks on the beach...Andi dances, too!

Even Walker got dirty. A sign of good times!

The girls had SO much fun jumping in the waves.

Lucie, on a mission (clearly).

sisters :)

Lucie told me she learned this pose from "gymnastics." And Eva looks way older than two years old in this picture.

digging a giant hole

Walker loves Eva.

Lainey also loves Eva.

pouty face :)

I love that these kids are developing close relationships with their second cousins. Lainey and Walker are truly blessed to have such great first AND second cousins. Truly. So fortunate.

My favorite shot. I'm pretty sure I told them to "laugh" or say "poopy" or something silly. Thankfully, they all cooperated beautifully...such a great smiles from everyone.

Tom

toothless boy

observing the crabs :)

We played a serious round of duck, duck, goose. 

Charli

Tom was super energetic when tapping the kids on the head!

Walker didn't catch his duck, duck, goose "tapper." That made him sad, so this is where he went. Shouldn't surprise anyone. ;)

a shot of the house

Lainey and Andi. Two years apart, but you'd never know it. They have a sweet, strong friendship!

a little sidewalk chalk

Walker drew a picture of Eva. :) She's so pretty.

Contemplating color choices, obviously.

***

It was such a wonderful trip. Our kids LOVE going to Galveston Beach. They look forward to it every single year...and for that, I'm thankful. Because we do, too! Walker didn't cry upon leaving this year, so that was good...he's growing up. :)