My parents got us a condo in Orlando for a week, so we decided to pack the kids and fly out to Orlando in the end of April. We took a red-eye flight out there and arrived at 7am in the morning. Angela and I didn't sleep at all on the flight because it was so bumpy so the first thing we did in Orlando is take a long and much needed nap. We spent the first two days at Disney World (we went to all 4 parks in two days). We also took a trip down to Sarasota to visit our favorite beach, Siesta Key (where the sand looks and feels like flour!) and also stop by and see my friend serving his mission there from Brazil. We then took the kids sea shelling down on Sanibel Island off the coast of Fort Myers. Abby filled a whole bag up with sea shells that her and Audrey meticulously hand picked. From Fort Myers, we drove across Alligator Alley to South Florida to hang out with Mark. Mark, Rob and I went down to South Beach on Friday night to see all the interesting characters that hang out there at night! The vacation was great for all of us including the kids (it included perfect weather and short lines at Disney!). Here are some pictures from our adventure.......
The fine sand at the pristine beaches on Siesta Key in Sarasota, FL
Angela and Audrey in front of the Star Wars Atat in Disney World.
We spent an afternoon in downtown Orlando and nearby Lake Eola.
Audrey loved her first trip to Florida. Her favorite thing to do was go to the beach and chase birds, throw sand at people and run from the ocean waves.
Angela and Audrey stop to enjoy the coast in Sarasota, FL.
Abby and Dad enjoy a land speeder at the Star Wars area in Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Audrey would not stay in the stroller. This is her in Orlando chasing squirrels and birds.
Abby learns how to wrestle down a Florida alligator!
We stopped down in South Florida and visited Mark on the final day of our vacation.
Abigail poses in front of Donald and Daisy at Epcot Center. Her favorite part of Epcot was being able to visit China because she loves Panda Express (she thought it was the real China!).
Besides the rain, we had a great time visiting all the parks at Disney World.
Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World was the greatest ride ever! I went on it twice while the kids and Angela preferred to wait for me outside the ride.
Angela pushes the kids past the giant Epcot sphere.
We took a break from Disney World to swim at the hotel swimming pool. Audrey didn't like it at first, but she soon adjusted to the cool water.
We went to Sarasota to visit Elder Americo. I knew him when he was 8 years old while I served my mission in Brazil. I would have never imagined that I would see him 11 years later in Florida! It was a great reunion!
A trip to Florida isn't complete without a shark encounter!
