South Padre Island Beach

On December 30th we spent the day at the beach. It was nice because we could go straight from our hotel room to the beach. The downside was we did not have any chairs to sit it (Lori did go buy some later) and the place that rented them was not in operation. There were some sand bags by the hotel that were likely placed there to keep the beach from washing away during Hurricane Ike, so we set-up on those sand bags and the kids played.

Ryan thinking about how wet he really wants to get given the temperature of the water. It was like the water in California is all the time so it was a bit chilly even though the weather was warm.

It did not take long and Ryan was in the water despite the temerature. I had reservations but the kids did not mind the temperature.

Anderson's dog, Sandy, loved playing in the water. Sarah taking him out.

One of the favorite activities at the beach is digging in the sand. There was a sand hill that offered ample opportunity to do some digging. Jared, Brett and Ryan doing some digging and climbing.

Jared and Brett out doing some swimming.

Ryan decided the water might be a little cold for him so he stayed out and focused on the digging.

Digging in the sand cannot be done properly without throwing some sand.

Sarah, Ryan, Brett and Jared joining Ryan in some digging.

Trying a little body surfing.

Ryan oscillating between his digging and swimming activities.

Brett, Ryan and Jared out doing some body surfing.

Jared buried himself in the sand.

Brett and Sarah getting buried with Lynn's assistance.

Jared and Flat Stanley buried in the sand.

Flat Stanly liked playing at the beach and being buried in the sand even though he was not properly dressed for the occasion.

Jared, Brett and Sarah buried in the sand after all the work was complete. There was an attempt made to make themselves look short by building some feet out of sand.

Jared with his short legs and feet.

Short legged Brett and Sarah.

Jared and Ryan warming themselves in the sun after doing some body surfing. Brett claimed he never got cold.

Jared digging in the sand/mud.

Brett digging in the sand/mud. The boys love to get dirty!

Ryan playing on the sand hill in front of the hotel.

We spent the entire day at the beach and in the evening when it started to get cool/cold Lori and I had to coax the kids to come in and get showered. We had a great time. We were also reminded that even though it was not very hot, we need to re-apply sunscreen after lunch. I am not sure how to do that when the kids are coated in sand, but we will try and remeber that next time.