Galveston

We just got back from our first family vacation on Monday!  We rented a house outside of Galveston with my brother's family for 4 nights.  Shane and I love the beach so we were hoping Gray would share that love with us as he grows up.  After having him out in the sand and surf, we pretty much verified he's going to be a beach bum just like us.  :)

On our way down Thursday, we stopped at my friend Ellen's house to visit with them for a couple of hours.  She had a son, Ben, in August who is only a few months older than Gray.  She also has another son, Ty, who just turned 5 earlier this year.  We had not seen one another since early last summer when we were both pregnant so it was nice to catch up and watch our boys interact.  They even came down the next day to spend a couple of hours at the beach with us.  After we left their house we headed down to the beach house to meet my brother and his family.  The rest of the weekend was spent going to the beach, swimming in the community pool and just hanging out at the house.  Shane and I took Gray to Moody Gardens one morning to the aquarium.  We were not sure what he would see or if he would notice anything but we caught him checking out the fish, sea lions, penguins and sharks as they swam by him.  We really had a great time as a family and spending time with my brother, sister-in-law and nephews.

Southbound 45! 

Gray's new friend, Ben.  Future roommates at A&M!  :)

Gray, Me, Ellen & Ben

First time on the beach with his feet in the water

Loving some beach time with daddy

This kid loves the water!

Our set up (James Family, Bybee Family, Owens Family)

Ellen & Ben

I helped Andrew, Ty & Aaron build a sandcastle

Uncle Jay Jay, the baby whisperer

View from our balcony

Our house

Gray watching the sea lions

I feel like he looks so unsure of the fish in this picture.
It cracks me up!

Watching the penguins with mommy

It was Kristin's birthday so we had alittle party for her one night.

Aunt Kissy loves her Grayson

Bybee Family photo

James Family photo

Cousins

My little beach bum

I can't wait for us to take another family vacation!  I admit I was alittle anxious before we left.  Primarily due to the amount of things we had to take with us.  I was also concerned that Gray wouldn't be comfortable outside his usual environment.  As always, Gray proved me wrong.  He traveled really well and did such a great job in the car.  He didn't seem to get too upset being strapped in his car seat for hours at a time.  He watched a few episodes of Blue's Clues or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on my iPad and played with his taggy blanket and other toys I would hand him.  He slept well at night and had fun interacting with Aaron and Andrew everyday.  Each day he continues to amaze us.

He's still out of daycare this week (getting plenty of one-on-one time with daddy) but starts back next week in a new room.  He's moving up to the room with the crawlers and walkers.  We are going to miss the teachers in his other room but they will still get to see him everyday through the door.  He also starts swim lessons next week and Shane's family is coming to visit for a few days.  I should have plenty to post about in the next couple of weeks!