Cade-Man Goes to the Beach!

Well, the rumor's true... I'm back! Back from the beach! Whew... what a trip, what a trip! Before I get much further let me just go ahead and put it out there... I have LOTS of pictures to show you from my first trip to the beach, and believe it or not, the hundreds of pictures below aren't even close to ALL of them! That Mommy and her new best friend, I mean camera, are something else!

Oh, and silly me! Before I told you about the pictures my 'first thing's first' should have been... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Nana and Paps for taking me and the rentals to the beach! As you know this was my first trip and I can say with absolute certainty that I plan on going back every year... if I have to beg on the street corner or hitchhike through the Hill Country...I'll do it! I will! I love the beach, but I love you two more! Thanks for a GREAT trip!

Alright, now for a little recap of our beach vaca... 

Port Aransas was our destination, but in order to get there we had MUCH to do! Mommy managed to pack the three of us schmoes in one suitcase and this was necessary because Mommy and Daddy decided to pack up my entire playroom into the back of the car! My exer-saucer, my walker, my activity mat, my high chair, my BOB, my humidifier, my sound machine, my gallon size bags of baby food, my toys, my books... etc. etc. Hillbillies from the Hill Country we were... truckin' down to the coast!

When we FINALLY arrived... I'm not so much into LONG car rides these days... BORING... what's a guy to do... sleep? Play with Mr. Duckie... sleep...talk...drop my passy so Mommy can pop over the seat and find it...sleep... 

Oh yah... so when we FINALLY arrived in Port A we went straight to the pink, lilac, plum (we could never quite pinpoint the color) beach house, our plush accommodations for the week. Mommy, Daddy and I found the best room in the house (one farthest from the center of the action so I could get my beauty rest at night) and set up shop!

Then we were left to wait on the Houstonians to get there... my Aunt Cori and Uncle Tag. Once they were there the party could begin... and boy did it! We had a delicious steak dinner to kick off our first night in Port A. 

As most beach trips usually do, our trip included LOTS of time at the beach. So without further adieu... the photos that you've all been waiting for... my back to the beach debut!

Mommy and I maintained a pretty normal schedule while we were gone. I'm a pretty scheduled dude (like my Daddy) so it was important for me to stick as close to it as possible... we're all in better moods when I do that. So the typical day at the beach went like this. Up at the crack of dawn, went to the beach (the first morning but not others) then ate, played and took my morning nap. When I woke up I ate my lunch, got on my SPF and suit and headed to beach. Thank goodness for the Baby Bjorn, because the walk was a little far for my "barely scooting bear crawl." After the beach it was time for my afternoon nap and then by the time I woke up it was time for dinner and play time with the rest of the gang after they returned from their day at the beach! I was early to bed each night because I learned that being a beach bum was HARD work! Hard work? Vacation is not supposed to be work... it is supposed to be relaxing, you say? Oh no... not Vacation Caden-ized!! Check me out...

Some like to sit and watch the surf roll by... I prefer to dive in feet first and let the rhythm of the ocean move me... up, down, left, right, backwards, forwards... whatever way the wave decided to throw me, I was ready for it... special thanks to Daddy's awesome fingers who supported me in the sinking sand of the ocean!

Most nights we stayed in and cooked at the house but one night...oh that one incredible night... we went to Snoopy's! YUMMO! I cannot wait until next year when I can skip the peas and carrots and go straight for the fried shrimp and french fries... I can taste them now... okay so maybe not taste them, but I can imagine what they would taste like, okay?!

Yesterday was my last and BEST day yet at the beach. We had the MOST fun splashin' in the waves. Mommy and Daddy weren't too sure what I would think of the ocean... but I think I affirmed the idea that I, in fact, AM a water baby... ALL kinds... bath water, pool water, salt water... I love it... and in August I'll get to try out lake water too...and if it's made of the same stuff all the other water is then it too will go on the list of favs!

I decided that while standing in the surf was great and grand, I would never meet my California Surfin' Dreams without a little practice... Jump, jump, jump... jumpin' over those waves!

Mommy let me take my goofy, I mean super cool, hat off so I could feel the ocean breeze rustle my untamed mane! What a rush! 

"LOOK, here it comes Daddy... get ready!! One, two...JUMP!"

"YAY, we did it!!"

Again, again... Let's go again! I couldn't get enough!! Don't stop till you get enough! Don't stop!

A little break is never a bad idea for a surfer dude... and yes even surfer dudes have time for their Daddy's!

Break's over... back at it... so we went from standing, to jumping... and then we brought the board out... the boogie board. And if you can believe it, it is exactly the same board that my daddy used when he was a little boy... Nana and Paps are the greatest of the Rat Pack... I mean Pack Rats! :)

Sing along now...

Everybody's goin' surfin'....

Surfin'....
U-S-A....
After showin' the Big Kahuna a thing or two I signed a few autographs and took some pictures with my fans...

First up...Aunt Cori...

Nana...
Paps...
Uncle Tag...
Mommy and Daddy... 
After a few long days at the beach... sunburns in tow... we dressed in our finest white beach attire and headed back to the beach for a family photo shoot. Mommy and I decided it would be best not to include our BIG family pictures just in case they show up on a Christmas card this year... we don't want to spoil anyone's goods, so here are a few just from our family!

Now, we're back at home... home is always a good place to be, but we will miss the beach. I've got lots of learning to do before next year's trip (hint, hint Nana and Paps)... mental surfing I call it!

Thanks again Nana and Paps for a GREAT vacation! We love you!

Goodnight! Beach Dreams!