Wow!
Ok, sit back and get ready y’all. This post is going to
cover our amazing trip to Florida, (including NASA, Cocoa Beach and the powder
white sands of the Gulf Coast and Mexico Beach) and I’ll also update you on the
exciting train ride we took to see the Easter Bunny. Whew! It’s been a whirlwind couple weeks.
To start everything off, Dan had a base visit down in Florida, so at the last minute, we decided to make it a family vacation. Words can’t express how much fun we had there! Cocoa Beach was beautiful and NASA was nothing short of incredible! At the Kennedy Space Center, Dan was (rightfully so) engulfed in all the displays, engineering exhibits, and anything aeronautical. Delaney was in true form, loving everything and jumping in with both feet; she ran right up to the Astronaut mascot for high fives and hugs, and repeatedly told me during the week that she missed him. Grayson decided to hang back from Andy Astronaut…a reoccurring theme you’ve seen with Santa and you’ll see it again during the Easter Bunny train ride below.
But Dan and Delaney took full advantage of all the fun and
crawled through transparent tubes suspended 50 feet above ground, played pilot
in the flight deck of the Atlantis display, and made REPEAT appearances on the
70 mph slide. Ok, perhaps it wasn’t 70 mph, but those two got going pretty fast
and multiple giggles ensued every time they went down.
Grayson was a bit timid and decided to observe all the
tubes/slides/tunnels, but he really enjoyed the static displays, the bus tour
to the multiple launch sites and he absolutely LOVED watching (and helping)
Daddy expertly land the shuttle on the simulation machine. He got 3 out of 3 stars!
And it was tough!! Color me impressed! As if it wasn’t obvious before, it’s now
confirmed…Dan is an EXCELLENT pilot!!
The bus tour to all the launch sites was also fantastic!
Both kiddos enjoyed the sites, the experience and all the gator sightings too! One
of the ponds had an 11 foot resident, y’all! Remind me not to wade in those
waters! Yikes!
Unfortunately, our original motivation for visiting the
Space Center was a scheduled rocket launch, which was regrettably rescheduled.
We were, of course, disappointed, but Dan has added it to his bucket list so I
am confident that we’ll witness one soon.
After NASA, we headed over to the Gulf Coast and let me tell
you…if y’all ever find me missing in action, look there first!
I LOVE me some Myrtle Beach, but the kids and I had an absolute
blast on these Gulf beaches. They were the softest, whitest sands I’ve ever
seen and we were even able to experience a few boat rides to a private island
too! There were only 3 families in attendance. I mean, c’mon! Who doesn’t want
to sit on a secluded white sand beach? Sign me up…daily!! The kids and I successfully searched for
multiple sand dollars, laughed outrageously hard, drenched ourselves in a tremendous
amount of beautiful scenery, and became professional beach bums.
And just like all our beach excursions, we were genuinely disappointed
to leave. So much so that Dan has actually started planning a future venture in
the near future…so stay tuned!
Whew…ok…on to the next saga….
So, a few months ago, I booked this train experience for
Easter. There is a local train museum here that offers seasonal rides (to pumpkin
patch mazes, Halloween events, Santa Trains, etc.) and I’ve never taken
advantage of them until now. I can’t stress enough what a mistake it has been to
miss these! It was so entertaining! I’m definitely going to take advantage and
get the kids over there on a reoccurring schedule. The kiddos loved the exhibits, the train
ride, and all the activities we experienced on our arrival at the halfway point,
including Mr. Bunny himself.
As referenced earlier…Delaney had no fear and went running
toward the Easter Bunny while Grayson decided to hold back and watch. She is
definitely my brave kiddo and Grayson is obviously my tentative observer. I can’t
wait to see how they grow and if they will swap braveries as they mature.
All in all, we have had an amazing few weeks. There was an
abundance of fun, beauty, sun, surf, smiles, science and quality family time. I
couldn’t ask for anything better.
All the pictures and a video of Dan and Delaney on the 70mph
slide are below. Enjoy!!
Let the science fun begin!
Laying down, legs up in the capsule
Mr. Astronaut. Delaney absolutely adored him and spoke about him for a week!
Controlling the stars.
If you squint, you'll see Dan and the kids at the very bottom
Future Pilot
Momma and Grayson play peek-a-boo into the flight deck
Tunnel fun! These tubes looped around and 90% of the time, you were suspended 50 feet in the air, looking straight down. Gulp!
Controlling the shuttle arm
Let's land the shuttle! It was ridiculously hard!
Of course, the distinguished graduate had no problem landing.
Hey handsome kiddo!
A view of one of the rocket launch sites, from our bus tour
Ditto
The NASA building, from the launch viewing area
Pilot Laney
THE slide. This was such a hit! Video below!
Cocoa Beach fun
Jump!!
Double Jump!
Now for the Gulf Coast Pics!
Sibling antics
Sand dollars!
I love this picture. It is a true representation of Delaney at the beach.
Soo happy, dancing and giggling
Dolphins!
Waiting for the boat shuttle to the secluded island...
Gulf Jump!
I'm definitely not the only one who loves this place!
Snack break
Little feet, white sand = LOVE!
I think Laney was channeling an inner cross-fit voice...
She was doing spider crawls up and down the beach
Plank holds anyone?
Since I took one of their feet, Grayson asked for a photo with all our feet
And now she's channeling a Labrador Retriever...
Dig, Dig, Dig
Yup, I got that on camera Laney! :-)
Raptors!!
Boat ride! Kiddo sized PFD's, check!
Mr. Mark would issue us a Coast Guard citation if we weren't properly secured. ;-)
We're so excited!
Lil Miss didn't want in on the group pic, but put up with me taking a solo shot
2nd Day shuttle!
Catnapping
Mexico Beach
We ate at a yummy restaurant right on the water and
decided to run wild afterward
I can't believe how big he's getting! Time is flying!
Yesterday she was a newborn! Slow down, time!
Peek-a-boo with the paparazzi
My little ballerina, always on her toes
Boy = throw stuff as far as I can
Jump!!
Love these 3!
Easter Bunny Train Ride!
Grayson is ready to depart
Air Force engine! Woo hoo!
Our dining car view
"Hi Momma!"
Not sure what this face is...she was so excited...except at this moment apparently.
Perhaps she is tired of my camera? :-)
Mr. Bunny!! Delaney could not wait to see him!
She even had her picture taken for the newspaper. My little celebrity.
Daddy explains the workings of the engine
She had to say hi again...
Grayson, not so much.
Riding back to the station
Love this picture!!
Is he excited? I can't tell.
My boys. Smoooch!
The end! Whew! :-)
