Summer Time Fun!
Summer time has been a blast for us this year! I love being home with the kids and do not miss working at all! We had a wonderful vacation in Miami this past week and made it home just before Tropical Storm Fay arrived. I must say it has been a long three days stuck inside the house. Cabin Fever has definitely set in. The rain has poured down non stop and the wind has been pretty intense at times. We have had A LOT of flooding all over the county, but we have been through much much worse. The rain has been the real problem. It is just a very slow moving storm so we are getting pounded over and over again by several rainy bands. We've had at least 20 inches of rain and still counting. I must admit that I was a Fay hater and thought the storm would pass right through with ease. I never imagined it would dump like this for days...CRAZY! We've kept our selves busy with Candy land, Chutes and Ladders, Play-Doh, Monster Jam shows, reading lots of books, playing chase, hide and seek, dance offs (I must say that my Baliwood is getting so much better!) and watching the Olympics. At least we have been safe through it all. It is all apart of living in Florida! I included a few pictures of Fay for you to check out.
My friend Jennifer had her bridal shower in Miami so we decided to make it into a family trip. The kids were so excited and enjoyed being on the road and sight seeing. We stayed in the Dadeland area which was close to everywhere. Our hotel was wonderful and everyone we encountered was so friendly. The traffic was insane and it reminded me why I love being a small town gal.
Ben and Whitney were wired when we got to our hotel room. They could not believe how nice it was and that there were two gigantic beds with tons of pillows!
Ben was so excited to see that our hotel had french toast and Bacon for breakfast. He told everyone who worked there that his Opa always makes it for him when he visits!
Entering the Asian Exhibit.
The new male tiger. It was the first time he was out!!! He was very curious and we watched him for a while checking out his new home.
Whitney loved looking around and loved all the strange noises. She would just laugh and smile!
The Asian elephants were so magnificent. Ben loved their giant tusks. He loves to learn about animals and he was an excellent zoo guide.
Ben loved their trumpeting.
The tiny Asian otters stole the show. They were so animated and interacted with you. Plus they were adorable. We had a blast talking to them. This little guy performed some pretty entertaining tricks with rocks.
Whitney was so happy and content looking at everything.
It was extremely hot and we had to keep cool by using the cool pole misters (I don't know if I spelled that right) Whitney was so curious to how it worked. She didn't understand how she was getting wet. I love to watch her think. Her face is so serious.
Ben enjoyed it too! I think we were misted by every pole in the place.
Ben was the lucky one because he got to cool of at the Splash Pad!!! He had a blast playing in the fountains.
Whitney enjoyed a nap in the shade.
Cooling off!
We were so lucky because the zoo was not crowded and we were able to do everything with out any wait. Ben did make several friends at the Splash Pad. It seemed to be a popular place on such a scorching day.
The gorillas were amazing to watch!
The Okapi is one of Ben's favorite animals. He loves that they are like a giraffe and zebra.
We walked the entire zoo and decided to cool off on the Monorail.
Ben loved riding the Monorail.
Friday night we ventured out to Miami's South and North Beaches for sightseeing. We ended up at the Hofbrau Haus for dinner. I ended up getting to chat in German with a few people from Hamburg and having an awesome time. I really enjoy using my German when I can!
I had to borrow Jeff's Beer for this picture. Holding one of these brings back a lot of memories.
Ben loved his Big Pretzel. This was his second HB Pretzel. His first was during our trip to Germany in 2005.
The food was awesome! Autumn and Heather, I think this plate beats your meals! Hungry???
Whitney playing in the hotel.
Ben enjoying a swim during our afternoon with Jennifer's Family and friends. Cliff did a wonderful Rocket ship ride!
Swimming makes you hungry. Ice cream is the perfect snack on a hot day!
Working on their dance moves for the big Mountain wedding in October!
Always up to no good! My camera died after this picture and I missed a day of pictures! We loved walking up South and North beach. I wish I would've had my camera....there were some interesting people and places!
Our little cutie!
On the way home we stopped at the Lion Country Safari where the animals roam around freely while you drive through and check them out. They give you a CD that guides you through your safari. As you drive through, you learn about not only the animals but the area in which they live in the wild. We were fascinated by how close the animal would come to the car and really enjoyed listening about them. One of the first animals to walk up to us was the South American Tapir.
Ben loved the Asiatic Water Buffalo. We watched them splash around in this water hole.
The lions were huge. We were relieved that they were behind a fence. But then the CD told us how high they can jump!
The Wildebeest were very interesting to watch roam through the grassland.
The African Elephants enjoyed some shade from the hot sun and a good scratch from each other! They are such impressive and massive animals.
Enjoying watching the animals.
The Southern White Rhinoceros were not afraid to walk right up next to your car. They would charge across your path and stop and stare right at you. They were breathtaking up close. They are adorable.
Ben could not believe how close the animals came. He loved every minute of the safari.
There were tons of Zebras.
The Chimps were to funny playing together. The bigger one in the water had some type of blanket and the smaller one was trying to take it from him. They tugged and tugged until the smaller one let go and the bigger one ended up going under water. It was halirous.
The Giraffes were gorgous and very tall!
At the end of the safair there is a small amusement park and splash park to enjoy.
We had fun riding the rides!
Whitney went on her first Carousel ride. She loved it!
She also rode her first Ferris Wheel!
Whitney enjoyed the wind on the Ferris Wheel. It was the perfect way to cool off.
The view of the splash park.
Ben was ready to splash.
Having Fun!
Having a snack on our drive home! What a wonderful vacation!
Whitney playing at the beach!
She loves her tent!
Hanging out in the water.
Whitney LOVES the water!
Whitney checking out the waves. She is just like her brother....loves watching the surfers.
Beach Baby!
Ben playing Monster Jam in the sand.
I am so blessed to have two children who love the beach as much as I do!
One afternoon I took the kids to check out the Brevard County History and Art Musuem. We had fun learning about....
The first space missions....
Florida's unique environments and animals.......
The Florida Crackers.........
And the Native Americans that lived in Brevard County.
Whitney is a future goalie!
Ben finally got to do some serious racing at Andretti Thrill Park. We went on a perfect day. There were no crowds and short lines. Ben had a blast riding the cars.
Whitney hanging in her ride!
Ben and Whitney were wired when we got to our hotel room. They could not believe how nice it was and that there were two gigantic beds with tons of pillows!
Ben was so excited to see that our hotel had french toast and Bacon for breakfast. He told everyone who worked there that his Opa always makes it for him when he visits!
Our first adventure was to the Miami Metro Zoo!
Ben noticed everything and we had to stop and answer all his questions.
Ben noticed everything and we had to stop and answer all his questions.
Entering the Asian Exhibit.
The new male tiger. It was the first time he was out!!! He was very curious and we watched him for a while checking out his new home.
Whitney loved looking around and loved all the strange noises. She would just laugh and smile!
The Asian elephants were so magnificent. Ben loved their giant tusks. He loves to learn about animals and he was an excellent zoo guide.
Ben loved their trumpeting.
The tiny Asian otters stole the show. They were so animated and interacted with you. Plus they were adorable. We had a blast talking to them. This little guy performed some pretty entertaining tricks with rocks.
Whitney was so happy and content looking at everything.
It was extremely hot and we had to keep cool by using the cool pole misters (I don't know if I spelled that right) Whitney was so curious to how it worked. She didn't understand how she was getting wet. I love to watch her think. Her face is so serious.
Ben enjoyed it too! I think we were misted by every pole in the place.
Ben was the lucky one because he got to cool of at the Splash Pad!!! He had a blast playing in the fountains.
Whitney enjoyed a nap in the shade.
Cooling off!
We were so lucky because the zoo was not crowded and we were able to do everything with out any wait. Ben did make several friends at the Splash Pad. It seemed to be a popular place on such a scorching day.
The gorillas were amazing to watch!
The Okapi is one of Ben's favorite animals. He loves that they are like a giraffe and zebra.
We walked the entire zoo and decided to cool off on the Monorail.
Ben loved riding the Monorail.
Friday night we ventured out to Miami's South and North Beaches for sightseeing. We ended up at the Hofbrau Haus for dinner. I ended up getting to chat in German with a few people from Hamburg and having an awesome time. I really enjoy using my German when I can!
I had to borrow Jeff's Beer for this picture. Holding one of these brings back a lot of memories.
Ben loved his Big Pretzel. This was his second HB Pretzel. His first was during our trip to Germany in 2005.
The food was awesome! Autumn and Heather, I think this plate beats your meals! Hungry???
Whitney playing in the hotel.
Ben enjoying a swim during our afternoon with Jennifer's Family and friends. Cliff did a wonderful Rocket ship ride!
Swimming makes you hungry. Ice cream is the perfect snack on a hot day!
Working on their dance moves for the big Mountain wedding in October!
Always up to no good! My camera died after this picture and I missed a day of pictures! We loved walking up South and North beach. I wish I would've had my camera....there were some interesting people and places!
Our little cutie!
On the way home we stopped at the Lion Country Safari where the animals roam around freely while you drive through and check them out. They give you a CD that guides you through your safari. As you drive through, you learn about not only the animals but the area in which they live in the wild. We were fascinated by how close the animal would come to the car and really enjoyed listening about them. One of the first animals to walk up to us was the South American Tapir.
Ben loved the Asiatic Water Buffalo. We watched them splash around in this water hole.
The lions were huge. We were relieved that they were behind a fence. But then the CD told us how high they can jump!
The Wildebeest were very interesting to watch roam through the grassland.
The African Elephants enjoyed some shade from the hot sun and a good scratch from each other! They are such impressive and massive animals.
Enjoying watching the animals.
The Southern White Rhinoceros were not afraid to walk right up next to your car. They would charge across your path and stop and stare right at you. They were breathtaking up close. They are adorable.
Ben could not believe how close the animals came. He loved every minute of the safari.
There were tons of Zebras.
The Chimps were to funny playing together. The bigger one in the water had some type of blanket and the smaller one was trying to take it from him. They tugged and tugged until the smaller one let go and the bigger one ended up going under water. It was halirous.
The Giraffes were gorgous and very tall!
At the end of the safair there is a small amusement park and splash park to enjoy.
We had fun riding the rides!
Whitney went on her first Carousel ride. She loved it!
She also rode her first Ferris Wheel!
Whitney enjoyed the wind on the Ferris Wheel. It was the perfect way to cool off.
The view of the splash park.
Ben was ready to splash.
Having Fun!
Having a snack on our drive home! What a wonderful vacation!
Whitney playing at the beach!
She loves her tent!
Hanging out in the water.
Whitney LOVES the water!
Whitney checking out the waves. She is just like her brother....loves watching the surfers.
Beach Baby!
Ben playing Monster Jam in the sand.
I am so blessed to have two children who love the beach as much as I do!
One afternoon I took the kids to check out the Brevard County History and Art Musuem. We had fun learning about....
The first space missions....
Florida's unique environments and animals.......
The Florida Crackers.........
And the Native Americans that lived in Brevard County.
Whitney is a future goalie!
Ben finally got to do some serious racing at Andretti Thrill Park. We went on a perfect day. There were no crowds and short lines. Ben had a blast riding the cars.
posted by Ape's Family @ 10:21 PM
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