Orlando

For Labor Day, Josh was giving a four day weekend, so off we drove to Orlando!  It is a six hour drive, but we decided to take the scenic coastal route, which added a good hour.  Driving along with a view of beautiful, white, sandy beaches NEVER gets old!  I had packed a picnic lunch, and we found a great place to stop and eat.  It happened to be a training site for D-Day, so we got the added bonus of a history lesson as well.

It was a much needed stop, with a beautiful view

The boys had a great time feeding the seagulls

We stayed at a great hotel right by Sea World.  The hotel had the BEST hotel pool for young children that I have ever seen, and the boys loved it.  

Anheuser-Busch sponsors a "Here's to the Heroes," offering active duty military (and their family) free admission to Sea World for a day.  Thank you, Anheuser-Busch!  We just loved Sea World.  Here are some of our memories....

The Manatee

Waiting for the dolphin show to begin.  Yup, I planned the whole "matchy-matchy" thing...for safety purposes only.  But they sure are cute, aren't they?! 

See that guy in the second row- the one who has the kid in the headlock?  That is Josh and Henry.

Our fearless leader with half of a map.  He was insistent that we go to the "Orca Whale Show," and then he ended up hating the show.  The rest of us enjoyed it.

"Petting" the sting ray

As Josh and Henry approached the front of the line for the Shamu roller coaster, Henry instructed his father, "Dad, I am riding in the front row, by myself.  You can ride in the back."  Josh exited the line at that point, and Henry (my little thrill seeker) had a blast.  And I survived too...

Following suit, Sean insisted on riding the "tornado" ride all by himself.  It was the only ride he was tall enough to ride on his own, and he did.  He unsuccessfully tried to spin the tornado, but it did not take away from the success of riding solo.  

Shark bait

The next day we spent at Aquatica, Sea World's water park.  It is a wonderful place to be on a very hot day.  Unfortunately, we did not even bring the camera, but you will have to trust me that it is a great place, and we had a great time.  Our favorite part was floating down the "river" together (many times)...all five of us hanging on to each other getting carried along by the fast current.  It was exciting, yet relaxing (Will almost fell asleep), and a family moment that was unexplainably special...I will cherish it forever.