Parks Family Vacation in Port Aransas

We were so blessed this past week to have an amazing trip to Port Aransas with my side of the family.  With 4 kids (ages: 5, 2, 1, and 11mo), you can imagine the circus that occurred.  Cade loved the trip from the second we got on the ferry to cross to the island.  I did not think he would like the beach as he really doesn't like to get dirty that much, but he proved me wrong for sure.  As soon as he knew the water would wash his feet, and there were showers when you got to the gate of the hotel...he was practically rolling in the sand!  Caelin did not like the waves coming close to her, but warmed up to the sand very quickly and was soon off and crawling all around.  She even grabbed Cade and Kennybug's toys and began to shovel the sand.  I guess she will be a beach bum like her Mama...YEAH!!  We choose to stay in Port Royal which is where my parents took us every year growing up!  It was so fun to see the beach, hang out at the pool and experience everything again with our own kids.  One of the best memories I have of our family vacations to Port Royal is buying fresh shrimp one night and doing a shrimp boil.  Many of the years we went, my Gangaw would go with us and she LOVED the shrimp night!  She would eat and eat all night if we let her!  So, in keeping with the tradition, we had a fresh shrimp night.  This trip we visited the beach numerous times of course, the boys went fishing, girls laid out by the pool, kids swam in the ocean and pool, explored the Texas State Aquarium, shopped around, ate at Moby Dick's, fed seagulls, played cards, and enjoyed spending time together.  We had no real plans which was truly the beauty of it all.  Between naps, meals, and keeping up with 4 kids...the adults often went to bed early as we knew that the sunrise would only bring 4 very excited and eager children to get going.  We were right and I must say after we made it home this afternoon, Cade/Caelin are now sound asleep in their own beds!  I am praying for a restful night of sleep for us all as we reflect and remember all the good times in Port A this year.