Last Day at the Condo

We spent our last day at the condo just hanging around the resort. A beautiful butterfly that watched up play put put golf. Jillian wanted no help or pointers.

"I do it myself!!"

The boys had played once before, but this was Jillian very first experience.

Needless to say we didn't make it through the whole course and had to let multiple groups play through.

The we headed to the Hippo.

Jillian was a brave girl, even though the going side ways made her a little upset.

Drew was a seasoned Hippo pro.

I don't know if you can see the videos or not. I keep an error message. Hopefully they are self explanatory.

The Pier at Cocoa Beach

A storm rolling in just outside our restaurant and we wanted to head to the pier. We had to hurry, but we beat it. This is Cocoa Beach and we got there on A1A Beach Front Avenue.

A stroll out on the pier.

I don't know the exact conversation that is going on here but I am sure Drew is asking lots of questions. He is full of them and I love it.

Except for the crazy hair - my favorite picture of our family on vacation. You would never believe that the photographer was a stumbling drunk old man. You know the old saying don't ever judge a photographer by their balance.

I love those boys!

Cape Canaveral

Some pictures are missing from our day at Cape Canaveral, but I will post what I have.

We were waiting to watch a 3D movie and escape the heat for a little bit. Drew and Jillian had half the popcorn gone before we even got in.

Vacation Face with 3D glasses.

Jillian was not wanting to wear her glasses.... or really even watch the movie. Her and dad made an early exit while D and I watched the rest. One of the main astronauts in the film was named Drew and he thought that was pretty awesome.

Vacation face with a lovely celestial background.

A picture for Uncle Brett.

My sweet peas.

Being cute as always.

Drew LOVED this astronaut!

Jillian wouldn't go near him or her without us, so it became a family photo op.

The boys inside the shuttle.
No one has given me an explanation for the backward flag on the shuttle. Baffling.

Pictures 19 - 74 missing

Day 8 - Fan Boat Ride

Vacation face

Riding a fan boat through the everglades (after a blue snow cone).
Hello fellow in the background.
The head phones were a must - the fan boats are super bumpy. Just kidding LOUD. Seemed a little silly to tell you they were loud after tell you the head phones were a must. Kind of implied, I thought.

Even though the ride was bumpy and loud, Jillian managed to fall asleep. The boat driver said it actually happens a lot with little ones.

The wind blown look.

The baby alligator that the kids held. They asked you not to take pictures because they do and then sell them to raise money for a alligator refuge.

A picture of a fan boat we rode. Obviously not us, but we were there minutes before. On our fan boat ride we saw a bald eagle and a wild mama alligator, along with lots of other birds and wading cows from the neighbor's land.

Andy taking a picture of cloud with a "rainbow" behind it.

It moved him, it was sort of his double rainbow moment. Now documented forever in our blog and memories.

That evening the boys went to the pools and to check out the HIPPO (the largest inflatable slide), while the girls stayed back at the condo for some toenail painting and princess movie watching.

And yet again, vacation face.

Sea World and More Pool Time

Our first park to visit was Sea World. I don't think the kids knew what to expect.

Jillian figuring out where we are going next.
Our first stop was the stingrays. The kids like to watch them...

But not touch them or feed them.

Making sure to keep the hands back.

Stingray waving hello.

The stingray splashed by as Jillian gives it a definite look of disgust.

Jillian was excited to see the dolphins. We didn't get there in time to feed them, but they still beautiful to watch.

Me trying to capture their jumps.

Then all of a sudden one came to our side and rolled over like a dog waiting for its belly to be pet. Jillian was too scared, but Drew was able to touch the dolphin.


I loved this part of the dolphin exhibit for a few reasons. Watching the dolphins swim underwater was amazing, the kids were mesmerized, I got some cool pictures, but most importantly it was the only spot in the part that was remotely cool. It was refreshing.

Jillian watching her choice of must sees - the dolphins. She made a great choice.

It was very crowded down there. The other people probably all liked it for the same reasons that we did.

One of my favorites.

My favorite are the Manatees. I think I like them because they are fat and lazy..... and relatable.

So the boys went to ride a big kid ride - Journey to Atlantis. Drew was just tall enough and of course Jillian was just a little to short. She was upset because little dare devil wanted to ride it too.

Nothing a little chocolate covered Shamu couldn't fix.

We waited at least forty-five minutes waiting to see the boys come down.

I swear I took a picture of every boat for the last 20 minutes of waiting just trying to catch their ride.

Andy had a bright orange shirt on, but it was still hard to see at the top of the ride, plus I didn't know what part of the boat they were in.

I think Drew is squinting trying from the sun while Andy is trying to get him to look at me.

My brave little boy loved this ride. He wanted to ride it again, but sis and I could not handle another wait.

This one cracks me up.

The next two pictures will explain the look on Drew's face.

His first look at a real shark.

And all their shark teeth.

Time for Shamu.

A much abbreviated show compared to 5 years ago, pre trainer maiming.

Still amazing creatures and still a little sad to me.

How in the world can they get all that body up in the air when I can barely get mine 2 inches of the ground when I jump. Like a said - amazing.

We didn't sit in the splash zone and when the soaking started Drew started crying because he wanted to get wet. Andy grabbed him and ran him down to the front just in time for the last splash.

Merry-go-rounding.

Horrible picture of me and my chins, but I just love Jillian and her posing.

Daddy and his little ones. So cute - holding their hands is the best.

A much needed cooling off.

Posing on the killer whales

For those of you that don't know, Sea World is a top optional park.

Proof positive that my husband is the best around. He switched shoes with me because I could barely walk in these shoes anymore, even with band-aids on.

The best and quite possibly the goofiest.

Sister was spent and this was her first passing out from exhaustion of many.

Me and a sleeping sis, while the boys check out the alligators (Drew's must see).

Not only was she passed out, she was hot and sweaty too. This made it extra difficult for me to carry her around and out to the car. I was about to pass out from exhaustion after that.

We had Disney Uno cards that we actually did play with a lot, but this was sisters alternative idea for their intended use.

Watching my family swim.