Galveston with PInes & Bethancourts

The weekend before Justin's birthday, the final weekend of summer before Labor Day, we packed out bags and went the short road down the beach house in Galveston. We invited the Bethancourts and the Pines to accompany us for the weekend. A fitting invitation since Kyle, Leslie, & I all met two and a half years ago being the first three in line for our kids to get into Holy Cross MDO. Since then, the families have become much better friends through all sorts of get togethers, not the mention the boys have been going to school together all this time. So we decided to make a weekend of this friendship.

The three 3 year olds are running around for joy to be in open spaces.


Derek took Kyle and the little fellas out for a slow drive on the boat. Chris Pine last minute had a business trip detour to Puerto Rico, so he didn't show until Saturday.


Waving on the return home.


The girls just hung out while the boys went boating. Anna giving me a big ole smile.


Sweet grins from Ainsley


These girls may not realize how fast friends they will become. They just started in the toddler class together at Holy Cross, so they will be seeing lots of each other!


Friday evening started off Justin trying to determine where all the families would sleep. He kept wanting to know if John & Luke would be sleeping in our room with us. So we all got ready for bed, put on PJs, and read some books. Then right before lights out and a stern instruction list from Aunt Shani on no talking, John decided that a sleepover in our room was for the birds. But Luke slept with us, and after a few promptings, the boys went to sleep without a hitch.


The next morning started off with a bang. The boys loved riding around in the golf cart. So Derek took them on an early stroll through the neighborhoods.


Me thinks no one likes this hug as much as Justin does.


Bon Voyage, crazy kiddos


Then it was fishing with live shrimp. I think at one point John had his hand on Derek's leg as they were fishing. So sweet.


Firstborns trying to take turns in the hammock.


Then we loaded up and took everyone to the beach. Justin had to get some baseball in.


Swing, lefty, swing!


John gave it a shot as well.


Snacks or lunch in some cases were early as usual. The water always brings out the munchies in everyone.


Anna chillin' in the chair


Then we headed home and it was clean up time. Derek had lots of volunteers.


After some of the kids took naps, though everyone had a quiet time, I came outside to see the boys sitting ever so nicely on the edge of the canal.


After as closer look, I see Chris, returned form his trip, in the canal. Guess he was getting bonus points for making up for lost time. Apparently a certain someone pushed Luke's Spiderman monster truck into the water. On accident, of course. After many attempts in the murky water, we came up no luck. But what entertainment.


Kyle figured Chris had everything under control.


That night Justin & Luke realized they had on identical PJs. Derek treated them to a game of go fish before the kids all headed off to bed.


On Sunday the boys tried out the rope swing.


Apparently this was done over and over and over...


Derek lifeguarding the waters. The one set back was the ladder that has been missing since Ike. Has anyone seen it? The trick was getting the boys up on boat dock without much effort from the dads.


Chris showing off the moves.


John liked his view from the boat instead.


The ladies, including Roxy, decided to go to the beach instead. So nice to just go with one bag and ourselves instead of hauling all the stuff along with us.


It was nice to just sit in the sand with the girls and chat. Roxy and I opted out of the mother/daughter photo.


We returned to the boys in the blow up swimming pool and everyone starting to rinse off and pack up.


Ainsley took her nap while we cleaned and shut the house up. When she woke up, Justin was eager beaver to give her some loving. So sweet!


Even though some of the kids slept better than others, we all deemed it a great weekend and plan to do it again! So nice to have friends that have kids that all get along, have the same values as we do, and love to be laidback at the beach. Plus we got one more beach trip in for the summer. Until Galveston 2011...