Port A

 I've always thought of our family as mountain people, but last summer we drove to Port Aransas to meet our good buddies the Mikels for a few nights and it turns out we may be beach people too. 

The Shark Mouth gift shop was a huge hit this year. Last year Nolan was too afraid to stand in the mouth for a picture. :)

Seth used his allowance on Hermit Crabs and is a proud new pet owner.

Nolan, the Hermit Crab

We've been to several candy shops with and without the boys and we all agree, Port A has the best candy shop that we have ever been to. No one wanted to buy a Cricket Licket again this year, though. 

Watching the dolphins race some majorly huge boats. 

We found some really beautiful murals.

This one was my favorite! It was so vibrant!

Dig, dig, dig.

The Mikels have taken some sand castle classes and man they can build some really cool things.

This is what it looks like when a Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor vacation together. Our HP hats made an appearance 2 years in a row. 

Dinner at LeeLow's. Yum.

Park!

Coffee Shop and Gelato

One of everyone's favorite activities after the beach is.... swimming. 

That's one way to catch a wave!

Shell Hunting!

One morning around 7am we walked down to the beach from our room and met someone one the boardwalk. She told us that about 100 or 200 yards down the beach a mama sea turtle was laying her eggs. We walked over to where a group had gathered to watch in awe. We got there as she began to make the journey back to the ocean. The sea turtle preservation people let Nolan stand right behind her so we could get a picture. They didn't want people in front of her or in her peripheral, because she would stop moving, but said he could get behind her. They also checked her for any injuries and doctored a sore spot on her flipper. They will take the eggs bake to their lab and incubate them, and then release them back into the ocean when they are ready. It was such an amazing thing to stumble upon. It was a highlight of the trip for me for sure. 

Visiting the original Whataburger in Corpus before heading home.

The Dr. Pepper milkshakes never disappoint.

We also swung by a Harry Potter Coffee shop before leaving Corpus. 

It was cool and all, but I am such a nerd and just expected it to be more awesome. Oh well.

Just a Gryffindor waiting for her cup of Joe.

See ya again next year, Port A!