Florida - Week One

We've been visiting my parents in Florida for the last week.  Dave flew down with us on Thursday and headed back to MI on Monday.  The weather has been mostly great (except for two of the days that Dave was here).  We've enjoyed lots of walks on the beach, dinners out and a little bit of shopping.  Dave and I even had a few hours alone together in Venice, which was nice. 

A few days ago Grace received a special package from Aunt Sue full of fun stuff.  We've been enjoying playing Memory and Go Fish.  Grace has been running her own store with her own money, scanning items and bagging them.  She'd be content to just stay inside and play all day.  Fortunately she also likes to make sand castles and walk to the park down the beach.  She has also enjoyed our visits with Aunt Kay, Uncle Dick and Treva.

Yesterday we drove to Busch Gardens, and although we were disappointed that many of the activities we had planned required children be 5 years of age or older (which was not on their website), we were still able to find more than enough things to see and do.  Grace particularly enjoyed the Sesame Street area where she got to meet Abbey, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Big Bird and Grover.  She of course loved seeing the animals, too-Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Hippos, Giraffes, birds, and the list goes on.

Can't believe how fast our first week has gone by!

Playing in the waves with Daddy

After a stormy night, crab traps washed up on our beach

Lots of Grampa time here

The birds-Dad's favorite part of Busch Gardens

I loved watching these hippos swim

This lioness stared me down the entire time-I was a little scared

This dog and Cheetah have been raised together

Grace said sitting in this safari jeep was her favorite part of B.G.