McWoodells do Port A, July 2017

We got to go on the annual McWoodell trip to Port Aransas!! Yay! We booked our trip early in spring, before we realized that we would be living together the month before! But, we really hadn't seen each other very much in June, and let's me honest, we could never get enough of this amazing family!! Also, our nanny Jaime, who has been with us for years, agreed to come along (for the second year!). It was so nice to have extra hands on the beach - and even a night out, and she got time to do whatever she wanted and enjoy the beach too!

We rented a house again, but not the same one as last year as we had a few issues last year! So happy we found this one - it was perfect for us this year! The house was 3 levels, including the suite for Jaime on the bottom with a separate entrance. You walked up a flight of stairs from the outside to enter the main house, and that level had the living room, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms each with a double bed. Evan and LJ shared one of these rooms, and Kate and Ben shared another. Then another flight of stairs took you to the 3rd level, which included two master suites. Barrett and I had one with a sofa bed that Ellie slept on, and Mark and Sang had the other with Josie in a pac-n-play in the closet and Charley with them. A very full, very fun house! 

Here is a picture of Ellie asleep on her sofa bed! 

Breakfast and dinner for the kids took place here every day... the back door seen in this picture leads to a screened-in porch and then stairs down to the private pool and outdoor shower- both which were SO awesome to have!!!  

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We decided to book our trip to start the day after the 4th of July so we could participate in whatever festivities that were going on around our houses. Also, I had to teach a class at noon on Wednesday, July 5th. The McDonnells headed out mid-morning. I taught my class, then came home to meet Jaime, and we headed to the beach! Barrett had to work that afternoon, so he came in his truck with Bella and Skye a few hours behind us. 

We had a great drive with some excited kids! 

I didn't mean to take the fairy (GPS just led us that way, and I didn't check until it was too late), but then Jaime told me she had never been on one, so that was a little excitement to start our vacation!  

We got to the house and our amazing friends had dinner ready to go! We ate, changed, and headed to the pool!! Yay for vacation time!!   

Mark and Barrett got up super early our first morning there for a fishing excursion!

They got DELICIOUS fish that we enjoyed for dinner!! MMMmmmm!!! Way to go guys!

Ellie was excited to be sleeping in our room, and although she would wake up a little too early, she didn't mind getting in bed and cuddling or playing with my phone while I snoozed a little longer! And how can I be upset when she wakes up so happy and cute! 

We were up, fed, and ready to hit the beach pretty early though! Sang, Jaime and I got lunches packed, swim suites on, and spent the whole morning in the sand and waves! 

We let Bella stay and rest in the AC, but Cody and Skye came to the beach too!! 

 Skye's first ocean experience, as far as we know! She like it!

 Kids ... just LOVING the beach!

 Jaime out in the waves with Evan, Kate and LJ!

 Kate and LJ riding the waves!

Happy kids!

 Ellie having a snack break with the dogs!

I have so many memories of Ben in this exact same position, year after year!! He has loved to drive tractors up and down the beach as long as I can remember- since he was able to walk I think!!  

  

LJ loved the water and waves! 

 Sang and Josie... with Ellie running out to meet us! 

  Beach day!

 We headed back to the house after lunch to meet back up with the dads, had rest times, and then made dinner and swam! What a fun full day!

Day 2: Ready for more fun- and this time with dads!

These three got straight to digging!

 Ellie looking especially cute! 

 Got our tent set up and all three cars! We are a machine!

Dads playing in the waves! 

Ellie- back to snack time! Ha! 

LJ begging to fish, of course!!! He was so excited!  

  

 Josie's sweet face!

 A panoramic of our group on the shore!! Love!

The last day, I got horribly sick with a stomach bug! It was awful, and I missed the entire day of beach and fun :(

So happy Sang got some great pictures - she knows how much this means to me!!

All the precious kiddos!

Barrett doing some ocean fishing! And catching!!!

 That afternoon, I was still in bed trying to survive while everyone else took incredible care of these sweet kids! Sang and Jaime took the kids to their favorite candy store- we have to go once every trip!

More great pictures!! Here are some from the front balcony:

 And then they got some chalk time!!

Crazy Ellie!   

 I never quite recovered, but mustered up enough energy to shower and come say hi to everyone before bed. And I read the girls a book. I was SO sad to have missed our day together!

Thanks for another wonderful vacation and lots of fun Port A! Hope to see you next year!!!