A few years ago I read a book that based on Galveston Island. The book made the island so magical and I have been wanted to go there ever since. So we planned a mini beach vacation down there with our favorite family the Keck's. We rented a condo that was right across from the ocean, it was beautiful. The condo wasn't the nicest but it worked.
The best part was sitting out on the deck and watching the ocean. I was really hoping to see some dolphins but we didn't. Galveston Island definitely did not disappoint. I loved it, yea the beaches are no Hawaii the but the island has so much charm and such a fun feeling about it.
The first day we headed to a beach on the east side of the island. The beach was okay, we had to walk forever to get to it and then we had to keep our canopy far away from the shore but the kids had fun. In the background all that brown stuff is Seaweed. It was all over and crazy and stunk!
These two love to play with Daddy!
All smiles and laughter!
Bradley with Justin!
The girls had a blast boogie boarding and spent so much time out in the waves.
Savanna takes a turn on the big board!
Cute Brinley!
There goes Kai Kai!
The gang!
Kean as usual was not to fond of the ocean!
This girl couldn't get enough of it!
Trying to bury daddy!
Madi gets buried!
Where is Bradley! This kid loved to play in the holes!
Where is Brinley?
Brinley the Mermaid!
Kailie the Mermaid!
Savanna the Mermaid!
We then headed back to the condo, the girls swam in the pool and the rest of us tried to take naps. Then we headed down town to walk the Strand which is the old part of the island with really cool buildings and a fun atmosphere.
We went to this Ice cream parlour/candy store. The kids loved riding the horse!
And eating Ice Cream!!
Those are some big scoops for two tiny little kiddos!
Kailie attempts to ride and eat at the same time!
Everyone enjoyed the yummy ice cream!
Especially this kid!! He was mess!
Walking down to say high to the horses.
They owners let the kids pet them!
Maybe someday we might actually take a carriage ride!
I just loves the Strand so much. It was so beautiful and had so much charm just like in the book I read!
We headed down the docks to see a really cool old ship but it was closed. We missed it the next night too!
This kid absolutely loves Trains so he was thrilled to walk on the train tracks!
The had a real old telephone booth.
The kids had no clue what it was for!
Savanna is pretending she was talking on the phone!
These two little rascals loved playing in it!
This street performer was pretty good.
The kids loved watching him!
I really wanted to get a great photo showing all the beautiful buildings on the strand but it was too dark by the time we got back to it. This building was so colorful and fun!
The Pleasure Pier looked fun too. We didn't go to it!
The girls were so excited to have a sleepover together, they crashed pretty hard after a long day at the beach.
The next day we got up and went to a great breakfast spot and then headed down the opposite side of the island all the way down to Jamaica Beach. There were no bathrooms but we could park and put our canopy up where ever we wanted the and water was better for the kids to play in!
We decided to try to get the kids to play with the sand in the shade!
Kean watching the waves!
These two getting brave!
The water was much shallower and the waves were calmer further out so these two ventured out much further than the day before!
Mommy and her favorite little Buddy!
Galveston 2014!
Justin played with the kids and buried all the girls. What a good Daddy!
Daddy and Andrea help the girls catch some waves!
Afterwards we headed back got showered and cleaned up and headed out to find some dinner. It was Saturday and all the restaurants were crazy busy. We ended up going to Fisherman's Wharf. It was a really hot and humid night and we had to wait outside for quite awhile. When we finally got a table it was outside. We were all dying but once we got some cold water and some smoothies we were good to go. The food was really good, we all loved our meals.
After dinner we headed down to The Blvd. which is the street that runs along the ocean to rent some of these fun bikes and go for a ride. I was determined to do it so we made it happened. So much more fun than going back to the condo and watching a movie!
The kids all jumped on a double one while we were trying to figure out what to rent.
We decided to go with a single one and take turns.
The Keck's got to go first.
Meanwhile we walked across the street over to ocean and just sat and hung out. It was such a beautiful night. I miss being outside and spending time in nature. This trip was really good for me. Me and two of my favorite kids.
We also adopted Madi, she drove in our car driving down and was our little adopted daughter the whole time! Love her!
Just taking in the view!
The Pleasure Pier in the back ground was having some problems. Not really sure what happened but there was fire engines and cops there. The power was out on half of the pier and you could see the people stuck on the tall swing about halfway up the ride. They were stuck up there for at least over an hour and a half. Crazy!
Love this little family of mine!
Waiting and watching for the Keck's to come. When they got there Savanna was freaking out, she was so worried that Justin was going to tip them off the edge of the walkway.
Our turn to go! It was definitely much harder to pedal those bikes than I would have thought! We got a workout in for sure!
Kailie even pedaled about half the time. She is awesome!
These two were so awesome and funny sitting in the front.
They loved and waved and said Hi to everyone!
It was like their little chariot!!
On Sunday we woke up, packed and then headed to church. It was fun to go their little ward. Everyone was like so excited to have new members! McKean sure loves little Bradley, sometimes too much!
On the way home we stopped at the Sam Houston Memorial which where the Texans finally beat Santa Ana after the Alamo raid. It was a huge memorial and very pretty but it was sooooooo Hot. The humidity was a beast!! We could barely stand walking from our car to the memorial.
It is a lot like the Washington Monument!
Very Tall!
There was a battleship by it as well. We got out took a photo and then were all melting.
We wanted to go stop by the Houston Temple on our way home but it took forever to even get near it and then we had no time so we just headed home.
On our way home we stopped by our dear friends the Joe and Heather Widdison's house to say goodbye. They had just sold their house and were leaving super fast. It was crazy but we were glad to get to see them one more time before they left!
The ladies: Andrea Fitzgerald, Heather Widdison, Me, Stacie Reeves, and Andrea Keck!
The guys: Justin Keck, Joe Widdison, Scott Fitzgerald, Brett Reeves and Jared!
All of us together with a few kiddos mixed in. Super sad to see the Widdisons leave. We loved spending time with them!
All the kiddos plus a couple of neighbor kids we didn't know. McKean, Madi Keck, Kylie Reeves, Brinley and Bradley Keck, Cooper and Nevie Widdison, Beckham Reeve, Boston Fitzgerald, Tate Widdison, Savanna Keck, Kailie, and Josie Widdison!
Silly faces.
It was a great mini Summer Vacation. We love spending time with the Keck family, I think our hearts will all be broken next summer when they move. We really loved Galveston and hopefully will get to back again sometime!
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