The Florida Vacation

Very nice pics, Laura.

It looks so tropical and fun! I can't wait to get to the beach this summer. Joey and I love to lounge on the beach and play in the waves- sharks and all.

No, the beach is not for me, but I loved seeing these pictures. The colorful birds and fish appeal to me -- what was God thinking! All of you look really good. And rested, although I know your time was short. Thanks for putting these on the blog.

Thanks for your help Rob!

I took a lot of pictures on the trip. The weather was about 80 each day. Danny and I made a side trip to Busch Gardens. I have been there before but this was Danny's first time.

The highlight of my trip was Brian and I parasailing. Awesome! Paul and Danny went out on the dolphin watch (slow moving pontoon) while Brian and I flew above at 800 feet.

I love that sunburned and satiated feeling when I go out to eat a seafood dinner in the evening, after smelling the sea and swimming in it all day.

I loved looking at your pictures, Laura. Your boys are getting so big. And handsome. Brian is as tall as you, eh? And Danny has a precious smile.

Great pictures, Laura. Luckeee! I could use a beach vacation about now. I've got three long weeks left until I get a break from school and I will just be hanging around here resting. I need plenty of strenth to finish up the last six weeks of the school year!

Sue, 6 more weeks of school? Wow. I guess that's why we took a long weekend in Florida. My kids won't be out of school until June 7th, 12 more weeks!

4-6 more inches of snow forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Time to start planning next year's trip...

Laura: where did you stay? was it last minute planning? air fares hard to come by?

We flew Sun Country. We booked the air/hotel/rental car at the end of January. Our hotel was nothing to rave about but it was clean. Quality Hotel on the Beach, part of the Quality Inn chain. There is a very nice hotel, two lots down from us that looked wonderful and a coworker has stayed there before. A little pricier though. We flew into Tampa, rental cars at the airport instead of offsite like Orlando has. 20 miles west and there we were.

Once we had figured out the dates, the rest of it was easy. I did check all the prices out independently but ended up booking it all through Expedia.

All the bird pics are from Busch gardens. Danny and I went there one day. I would prefer the parrots and flamingos to be onsite but...