Hammett's Vacation 2012

My silly fellas at the Aquarium Gift shop

So we went on Vacation.. It has been a couple of years that we have been able to do anything, because of Travis’s job. We usually go to San Antonio. My kids and I never get tired of it. We usually only go for 2 days, so each day I have everything planned out and by the time we get back we are exhausted and dragging for days. This year, Trav was in charge of planning the vacation. He wanted to take the kids to the coast. They have never seen the beach and ocean so I was pretty excited. Even better we actually planned a longer vacation. We had planned to leave on Sunday and come back Wednesday, and Trav found us a condo right off the beach. The kids were super excited, than we find out that Trav booked us a hotel in San Antonio and we were leaving a day early, so that I could still go do the River Walk and get my Mexican food fix. Plus, ever since Ciera grew up and had decided she wanted her own life, she has missed the last two family vacations. So this year we invited my oldest niece on my side Taylor. Her and Jasmine are 6 days shy of being a year apart, and we like to take someone that can watch Jasmine and keep her occupied when Trav and I want alone time. Since the boys have built in buddies with each other. So this worked out perfectly. Plus Taylor is a blast and a total sweetheart.

Tay and Jazz meet their relative the Parrot.

So we left Saturday afternoon, and the first stop Travis wanted to make was Inner Space Caverns.

Aaron and Tay modeling the cavern hard hats

Now the last time Trav and I visited a cavern was when I was 5 months pregnant with Jasmine. It was our very first vacation without kids. And we really enjoyed the tour. So we wanted the kids to experience it also, and they really did. The temp in the cavern ranged about 76 to 80. The temp outside was almost 100. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and gave us some great history facts.

Inside the Cavern, a nice cool 78

Next stop was our Hotel in the ghetto! We usually always stay downtown next to the River Walk. But you get what you pay for. It was good enough for our one night stay. We freshened up and headed to the River Walk. Now, let me say. It was HOT, Trav did not stop to feed us lunch, and it was already 7pm, so hot and hungry kids and me, are not very pleasant. We finally found the place we eat at, and there was a 2 hour wait. So we decided to try something new, and they sat us pretty fast, but the food and service was not worth the price.. But it was Taylor’s first time to see the River Walk so that alone was worth it. I think once we got back to the hotel, (after Trav got us lost) we all agreed we were ready to get to the Coast..

Me and Jazz after some good mexican food on the river walk

Finally, the next morning we got up and went to Market Square, which the kids love looking at all the stores and buying stuff. We bought a couple of souvenirs for the family back home, and we headed to Corpus.

Girls posing as the wave snuck up on them

We were greeted with a nice hard rain shower. It was very refreshing. And as soon as we came to the big bridge in Corpus my camera came out and I went Picture crazy. We checked into are condo, which was so great for us. We unloaded and then Trav and I went to wally world to buy groceries for the wk. We spent that day and evening relaxing on the beach, playing in the water, having sand fights, and me screaming when a Jelly Fish got near me. Needless to say, that was the first and last time I will get in water that is not clear and fishy free and full of Chlorine. The next few days, consisted of me waking up early, grabbing my bowl of cereal and spending alone time on the balcony listening to my music. Every one else slept in, and we just were laid back and no rushing around. I enjoyed taking my naps, and we went to see The Aquarium, and visited all the little shops and bought souvenirs, and we ate at Pier 99 which is off the coast. Trav took the kids to the U.S.S Lexington, and they had a great time. And Trav and I went on a date, where we went to a steak house, that was very good. And we spent the evening walking and talking along the beach. This vacation was a much needed refresher for our marriage. It was like a breath of fresh air and new beginnings for the rest of our lives together.. God’s perfect timing as always..

We all were dreading leaving for real life at home, but we took the long 7 hour trip home on Wednesday morning,.. And we spent the rest of our vacation doing laundry, sleeping and watching TV. And here we are.. Back to reality, but oh so very thankful for the opportunity to make such amazing memories for our little family..

After a nice quiet walk along the beach