Heeelllooooo from the Texas Coast...

I didn't want to totally neglect my blog while on vacation so here's a quick note just to say HI and give you a few quick updates.

First, I am in hog heaven as I've been sitting by the pool and playing in the surf with Erica all week. I took the time to put SPF 60 on her, but do you think I took care of me??? NOT!!! So I'm a nice little lobster...hopefully the Hispanic blood will help me tan quickly (I know, I know...not good for the skin).

Second, I can't wait to get home to scrap some of the pictures I've taken. Here's a quick recap of all we did...keep in mind I'm in South Padre Island with my mom, who was born and raised here (and she's the 8th of 9 children).

• Saw family I haven't seen in 25 years...six aunts, five uncles, and seven cousins (four I didn't really remember, and one new one). What a hoot...my mom is Hispanic, so it was quite the "event"...we ate barbacoa (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) a Sunday breakfast tradition (I'll spare you the ingredients...I have to not think about it and just tell myself I've enjoyed it for years prior to know what it's made of), listened to traditional Mexican music courtesy of my uncle and his accordion, and spent most of the week lost in translation (I don't really speak much Spanish).
• Went to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center and saw LOTS of sea turtles...not real exciting, but Erica REALLY enjoyed it.
• Swam EVERY day and taught Erica how to body surf. Well, mostly we walked on our hands in the surf with our legs out behind us...the water was very shallow for a LONG way on the beach. We also buried Erica in the sand (she loved it).
• We wanted to go fishing...OK, so I wanted to go fishing...but the weather was too windy and unsafe for us on the water. I have been telling Erica about fishing with live shrimp. I thought for sure she'd get a kick out of it. Oh, well...hopefully next time.
• We picked ruby red grapefruits from a small grove in my uncle's backyard...and ate them fresh from the tree...YUM!!!! The grapefruits were HUGE...I brought three home (yeah!)
• Did I say we went swimming every day? Oh, sorry for repeating myself...but that was FUN!!!

So stay tuned for layouts using some of these pictures. And don't forget to check out the ACBailey forum for the latest contests. The Pot of Gold Scavenger Hunt is still going on (I can help you with the clues if you need it). And the DT challenge is to complete the Pot of Gold contest and make the layout Spring themed. Go take a look...and post your completed layout in the gallery for a chance to win a gift certificate!