Seaworld!

First off... Its March 19th ---

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TJ!!!

WELCOME TO YOUR 30'S!!!!

(Its never good when your little brother by almost 5 years hits 30... as it means you are almost halfway through your 30's!!!  Although it will be even worse when my sister hits 30... as I'll be... ah, heck... I don't even want to think about it!)

Our second stop on Spring Break was Seaworld!   Thank you Seaworld for your wonderful Tribute to Heroes campaign that allows military members and their families to visit Seaworld for FREE!  Justin still holds his ID as we are inactive reserve members at the time (by the way, congrats to Justin for recently finding out he had been promoted to major in the inactive reserves... I don't know if its official yet... but we'll take it!).  We had a great time and Taylor rode her first roller coaster as she just barely hits the 48" mark for height!  First time on the roller coaster, she and I held hands and held our hands in the air the entire time.  The roller coaster didn't loop or roll, but I told her to eat her veggies and soon enough we will be tall enough for that one!  This kid is FEARLESS!  Aubrey did the log ride and she could have done the spash down as she was tall enough, but she got a little nervous.  We attempted for force her, but I think the operators of the ride got concerned by her crying.  :(  We know she is equally as fearless as her sister and would enjoy it just as much, but she may be the one we have to bribe to ride these things! 

We love the shows at seaworld and the chance to see these animals up close.  Some may say its cruel to cage and keep these animals in captivity like they do, but it gives so many people the chance to see these animals and learn about them and our world.... I think it's great!  They really focus on how we can protect our earth and the creatures that live in it... and they focus on believing in yourself and working hard to achieve your goals... I love the message!  The show was different this year than a few years ago as the trainers did not enter the water with the orcas.  Not sure if this was due to the recent tragedy or if it's just how the show is now... but it was still an amazing show.

One of the main orcas had recently had a baby calf (in January, I think) and this little calf in the pic below would follow his mom everywhere during the performance.  It was the cutest thing!  We got a good view of the baby as it was near its mom and was nursing on her and just swimming all around her.  I want to go back and see what the "little" guy does in the future!

(I think I know why these alligators are smiling!)