WAC Adventures in Galveston

It wouldn't be summer for our kids without our annual WAC trip to Galveston, always the highlight of the summer break for all kids involved! Unfortunately this summer, our WAC adventures took a different turn when the A group (Aasmyr family) was out of town and couldn't join us. And then somewhere along the way, I realized that the trip wouldn't be the same for Kaitlynn because she wouldn't have a girlfriend joining us. I began to worry whether she would have as much fun being the only girl in a group of boys. So, long story short, we decided to invite Kaitlynn's very best friend, Anais, to come with us on our Galveston WAC trip. Kaitlynn was beyond thrilled when Anais was able to join us, and then we realized our WAC was restored (A for Anais)!

I have written on this blog so many times about the precious and endearing friendship between Kaitlynn and Anais. They connected instantly as toddlers and remain best friends to this day. They don't get to see each other much now that we've moved to Katy, so this trip was such a special treat for them to have extended time together, especially now that they'll both be starting kindergarten this fall.

The excitement for our beach trip was hardly contained on the drive down to Galveston. We stayed at our favorite beach resort, Diamond Beach, and we loved the condo we rented this time. It was first class all the way. Upon arrival, the girls were so excited to see that they had their own room!

Anais and Kaitlynn loved their room.

Shortly after we arrived, the W group (Watkins family) joined us and the group was complete. Michelle and I shared the master bedroom and the boys shared the 3rd bedroom. A perfect setup! It didn't take us long to decide to head downstairs and enjoy the resort pool area.

Overlooking the lazy river and resort hotel.

BFFs Anais and Kaitlynn at the pool area.

And now for the boys. Connor is going through a "too cool" phase.

The main reason we head to Galveston for our summer WAC trip is to enjoy the beach, of course. Unfortunately, this summer Galveston experienced some sort of epic seaweed event causing the beaches to look and smell terrible. We ventured outside to the resort beach area on our first night there and quickly decided we were NOT going back. It was so dirty and gross that the girls started calling it the dirty beach.

Evening stroll on the dirty beach.

Back in the condo, the kids were excited about their sleepover in their own rooms. "Mean Mommy" only had to make a single appearance to demand that the kids stop talking/playing and go to sleep! Ha!

Girls ready for bed.

Boys ready for bed.

The next morning, the kids were sleepyheads from a late night and watched a little TV before breakfast. Then of course it was time for swim suits and more swim time at the resort.

Relaxing morning in the condo.

Sweet girls ready to swim!

They insisted on matching pigtails and I couldn't resist a photo of the back view.

At the pool, it didn't take Connor long to acquire the first injury: an accidental knee to the goggle.

Throughout the days while we were at Diamond Beach, I was texting various photos to Anais's mom to keep her posted on how much fun the kids were having. At one point she made a comment that she was having trouble keeping up with all the swim suit and outfit changes by the girls. I didn't realize it until she said that, but it's so true. These girls changed their clothes every single time we made a trip back to the room, no matter how brief. Such girly girls!

One of the many swimsuit changes.

Snack time at the pool.

Another change, this time with cover-ups as we headed to the indoor pool.

Another thing that Anais's mom, Keri, pointed out were the elaborate poses that the girls managed to make for all the photos. They continued getting more and more creative throughout our stay, ha!

More swimsuits and poses.

All 5 WAC kiddos at the indoor pool. The poses, hilarious!

And just to prove the Moms were there, too...

A quick selfie in the hall before heading out to dinner.

At dinner one night -- look at those eyes! They were EXHAUSTED!!!

Our favorite Blue Bell ice cream after dinner.

Love the ice cream smiles.

After seeing the "dirty beach" at our resort, we decided we would drive around to try to find a groomed beach so the kids could actually enjoy the sand and ocean one morning. After all, that's why we visit Galveston! It didn't take too long to find what the kids referred to as the "clean beach." We stayed for a few hours and the kids had a great time.

Sweet girls ready for some beach time.

The clean beach had some seaweed but it wasn't bad at all. The boys were ready to dig!

Playing in the sand.

Before dinner later that night -- sassy girls in sweet dresses!

Rainforest Café, always a favorite.

Anais loved the Rainforest frog, Cha-Cha.

And then we went back to our favorite ice cream spot!

When it was time to return home, Anais was really excited to see her parents even though the girls were sad the trip was over. They made sure to get big hugs before saying goodbye.

The smiles say it all.

We stayed 4 days and 3 nights in Galveston, and it was SO MUCH FUN! Even though we really missed the Aasmyrs, we still enjoyed the trip and the different dynamic of the group. I was so impressed with how great the 3 boys got along; they entertained themselves so well the entire trip. And the girls had such great bonding time together after missing each other all summer. And of course, Michelle and I loved every second of our girl time. We are so thankful to have such a fun summer experience to look forward to year after year.