Florida Again

Since we have been back from vacation, I've really not blogged much. Here is what our last trip to Florida looked like. We have been to Florida 3 times this year so far. Each time we drove. One thing I like about driving is that it gives us family time together while we see interesting things. We learn where we'd like to visit someday. For example, I'd like to stay in Kentucky for a vacation someday. I think it's the most beautiful State we travel through. The air feels so fresh to breath there! One place I like to stop off at while passing by is the Kentucky Artisan Center. They have local art, clean facilities, and good food at a good price!

 The kids learn to cope with the long drives by making their own little rooms with blankets. They don't do this the whole way. It's something they do when they are tired and want to be alone. Also it's when the traffic isn't so bad. 

 Although I bring books to read, games to play and we have DVD players, Austyn usually spends much of his time on his iPod. He's on there more then we'd like while we travel to our destination and sometimes pays for it with a stiff neck and a headache. We have seen a maturity grow in him over this year. Each time we drive between Florida and here it gets easier and easier to tell him it's time to do something else.

Zoe sometimes naps in the car. She likes to play car games. I use two books to come up with fun, educational games to play while on the road. One book is called Car Games by Jo Pink and the other one is Carschooling by Diane Flynn Keith. You can subscribe to her Clickschooling website and get educational internet links.

While we were at the hotel on the way to Florida we had Austyn open his birthday gifts. Zoe thought it'd be funny if she wrapped the presents from her in pink paper. She is always joking like that!

 When we arrived in Florida Austyn had a cake ready for him. He isn't a big Cars fan anymore, but he didn't seem to mind at all. 

 We like to go to Florida while Magic Kingdom holds their night time parties for Halloween or Christmas. Sometimes we go for both! This trip was Halloween. Zoe dressed up as a gymnast because the weather was warm. 

 Austyn was a grim reaper. He tends to go with this kind of costume every year.

 Since we have been to Magic Kingdom so many times, we have pictures of all of the main rides. 

 I find that the more we go, the more we focus on the smaller things and I tend to take pictures of those moments instead of the things that someone might be more excited about if they have never been there before.

 No matter how many times we go to Florida, we always have fun. I don't just mean the kids.

This is a musical wall while waiting to get into the haunted house.

 The 3D movies give such classy glasses!

 There are a few new things this year and next year there will be more new attractions.

 After trick-or-treating at Disney, they got to spend Halloween night on our resort. The resort staff always put on a good party for the kids. They had stations set up to get candy and meet scary people. As you can see, Austyn had a scary mask on this time and Zoe wore her bundled up raccoon costume, but she later changed into her gymnast outfit and Austyn took off his mask. It was just too warm. By the way... Zoe did her own make-up.

 The swamp monster took over the hot tub!

 They have had the opportunity to pet an alligator before at the resort. They never pass up a chance to touch one again. We recognized the man who brought this soft, little guy. He is from Gatorland and we watched an educational show he put on earlier this year at this same resort.

The kids did a bunch of contests and danced the night away!

It was a fun trip. Florida never gets old, but one day, we'd like to expand and go to other places. When the weather is cold Florida is an easy destination to get to warm weather for a few days!