Thursday, April 22, 2010

PCB~Day 4

We left the camper Monday morning with no real plan on what to do that day. We decided to stop at the Buttonwood Marsh Overlook before we left the park.


Okay, the sign says 'Buttonbush' but the park map says 'Buttonwood'
You pick.





Then we headed to the marina. We stopped in one of the fish markets just to check it out. Cody immediately covered his nose and wanted out of the building. It really didn't smell that bad.








Herbie .5




We decided to stop at the helicopter tour place. We talked to the owner for a while. We were about to leave when I asked him if we could look inside the helicopter. He was more than happy to let us check it out.


We left, with plans to return after we were finished golf carting around PCB.

So here's the thing. I've never flown. EVER. And I'm afraid of heights, so the thought of going up in a helicopter was pretty scary for me. But honestly, being afraid of it made me want to do it that much more. The only problem is that we couldn't all ride together. It's a four seater, and one of those seats had better have a pilot's hiney in it! So Bobby kept his feet on the ground so that the kids and I could experience our first flight.



Brit rode up front next to the pilot, Cody behind her and me behind the pilot.



Just before take off.





I tried not to take too many pictures. I wanted to actually see what was going on through my eyes and not through the camera. I'm bad about that:)
We absolutely LOVED it! It was beautiful and exciting and we can't wait to do it again.

After flying, we grabbed a bite to eat, and walked over to the beach,


and headed back to the camper, went to bed, got up in the morning, loaded everything up, hooked up the camper, and hit the road to head home. I'm still doing laundry.

We had the most amazing family vacation! It was full of new, exciting experiences and we had a blast!

PCB~Day 3

We woke up and got ready, had something to eat and hit the road. We had decided to go to...

Our first stop: The California Sea Lion show.
This is Duke.


You have no idea how often I feel just like this! LOL!



The trainer picked Britney out of the crowd to get a kiss from Duke!!! We were all SO excited for her. I mean, have you ever been kissed by a Sea Lion? That's freakin' awesome!


After that, we had a few minutes before the Exotic Bird Show so we looked around.

We actually got to touch this guy's flipper! Shhh...don't tell.

Watch out, Brit!!! The flying Great White's gonna get you!


The Sting Ray Petting Pool

They are VERY slimy.



There's a room you walk through to get to the Tropical Garden Theater where the Bird and Magic Shows are held. More on that in a bit...


Waiting on the show



Bobby got to participate in the show. He put his arm out, holding a dollar bill in his hand. A beautiful Sun Conure flew over to him, picked up the dollar and flew back to the trainer. She immediately put the money in her pocket and asked the crowd if anyone had a $10 bill. :) The bird then returned the $1 to Bobby.

Back in the room

This guy is named Goofy because his bill is crooked. Poor Goofy.



Back outside heading to the Dolphin Show



I LOVE dolphins. Like, love them in some sort of spiritual way.








The trainers picked four volunteers from the audience to help train the dolphins. I thought Cody was going to dislocate his shoulder from waving it around...but he didn't get picked. But you see the boy in the white t-shirt? He chickened out and went back to sit down.

So Cody got to do it after all!! Talk about a happy kid!


The dolphins splashed water all over the kids. Cody was in heaven!



After that, we went back to the theater for the Magic Show. I couldn't take pictures during the show, but I can tell you it was awesome and the kids absolutely loved it. You know how Cody is about magic. He picked a very young boy to help with one of the tricks. When it was time for a girl to help out, guess what...He picked Britney! I videoed her on stage. She had so much fun!

Cody getting an autograph.

Brit getting an autograph on one of their posters.

Back at the camper for some lunch

and then to the beach to fly kites.






It didn't take long for the kids to head toward the water



and then into the water:)





We made it back to the camper with two very wet and cold kiddos. They immediately went off to shower and warm up. After that, Brit and I walked part of the campground while Bobby and Cody made a fire.



We ate a couple s'mores and then we were off again.
Britney and Bobby rode the Sling Shot last year. Go here to see the video.

Britney REALLY wanted to do it again.


Here they are right before take off

and landing

Cody walked up to the height restriction board to see if he is tall enough to ride it. The lady that was working saw him and gave him a t-shirt. She was like, "Man, if you're brave enough to want to ride this thing and can't, you should at least have a shirt." They were very nice, and in between idiots flying in the air, they let Cody get a couple pictures taken on the body outline, which was Code's idea:)

Then they let him sit in the Sling Shot. Cody loved it!

Another fantastic day!!!!

Where we've been as a family