Galveston Getaway 2023

Even though we were privileged to venture to an international beach vacation this summer, that didn't stop us from enjoying our annual Texas beach trip - this year, a month later than in the past.

Day 1 - On the road again!

3/4 of the way to Galveston, we stopped in Houston to meet our favorite Houstonian cousins for lunch!


We made it and got to the beach before the day was done!



Day 2 - We started first thing in the morning with a beach walk before it got too terribly hot.

Happy, dirty puppy:



It seemed time to head back to the beach house to find bathing suits, sunscreen, and sustenance!

Sleepy Gabi put herself to rest after breakfast, so Mommy and the boys went for a beach excursion, just the 3 of us. Beach smiles are some of my favorite smiles.

Reggie's pitiful cone smile wasn't as great as the beach smiles.

After lunch and some inside time, all 5 Cohens went back to the beach AGAIN for some more fun in the sun.









Then, there was that time our 2 sons spent 10 minutes straight pelting each other with muddy sand.


Day 3 - Boys woke up ready to twin and have a great morning together.

While Gabi took another morning nap, the boys and Mommy ventured on a field trip to the Galveston Ferry to ride to the Bolivar Peninsula. Driving onto a boat was very exciting for these ferry first-timers!


We quickly learned that there was not much to do on Bolivar Peninsula. So we visited Bolivar Point Lighthouse, built in 1872, retired in 1933, and decrowned earlier this year with the beginning of a big restoration project. (Then, of course, we visited the only other must-do in the area.)

On our way back to the ferry, we had to wait a long time for our turn to ride the boat, so we kept ourselves entertained.

On the ferry ride back, we had several exciting dolphin sightings, which inspired the next afternoon's field trip.

Back at the beach in the afternoon, we recreated some of our classic favorites.

2021

2022

Gabi spent a long time on her sand drawing of Wednesday Addams.

When you spill a bag of snack, they notice.

always in our heart #speshbuds

On Day 4, we decided all 5 of us were going to make it out of the house together. So, we ripped Gabi out of her bed and forced her to enjoy the beach with us.



In the afternoon, Team Cohen headed down to The Strand.

2014:

2023:

Apparently, mother and son share a weird sense of humor. (Note, the 9 year old was in the above picture from 2014. Can you find him?)

We made our way onto a dolphin cruise, which was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!

(If you know, you know.)

On our way back to shore, the boat captain questionably gave the children the opportunity to drive the boat.


Back on shore, we visited La King's, a "must do" when visiting Galveston. They played, they explored, and they all chose a treat.


Obligatory annual Cohen pictures:


On our final night of vacation, we stayed up extra late for a dark stroll on the sand and a view of the beautiful lights of the pier.

Day 5 - On our last morning, Ethan, Mommy, and Reggie take a morning stroll. Some of us wanted the morning exercise; some of us wanted the picture opportunities. Win win.


And just as you think that the vacation was over, Galveston turned into CohGilvestHan!

We were grateful to spend one more day at the beach with our 2 other Texas families.






And last, but not least, we were ready to head back to Austin. Children were entertained by electronics. Adults were entertained by shadow puppets on the children.