Family Vacation 2007 -- Part II

Here is the 2nd batch of vacation pics, making up our last 2 days in FL & a couple from the drive back home.

This is what most people call the "real" Florida. Pristine, wild, green & full of wildlife. We took our 2nd day- trip to Homosassa Springs on the Gulf Coast. We'd been there twice before (pre-baby) when we lived in FL but had to take Afton so he could see the animals. The boat ride into the park is supposed to be relaxing... and it was for the most part until Afton chucked his sippy cup into the water! We had to go back down the river after everyone else debarked the boat to go retrieve it before the gators got it! We were lucky and actually found it floating among some branches.

Manatees find their home here. They are wild and free to come and go as they please but are friendly enough to come up and get a few carrots and cabbage for the educational show. They like their home here.

Sunlight sparkles on the turquiose spring water.

It was so hot & humid this day. Way more hot & humid that we remember it being in FL. I guess we got used to the winters in Missouri again and forgot how thick the air is in FL. I honestly can't remember if Afton's hair is so wet in this photo because it was just that hot or if dad had poured a little water on him to cool him down. Oh, & ironically enough, during the manatee show he tossed his OTHER sippy cup into the water. Thankfully the manatee didn't mistake it for a big fat carrot! The guide was nice enough to also fish that one out. Nothing like stopping a show to embarrass a parent!
Now for some bird pics! ;o)

Ferns and moss cover the trees.
Of course we're in Florida so there has to be a gator picture in here somewhere...
Fanning palm with the fisheye lens.
On the last day we headed to Disney, and just like every other day in FL, it rained on us. Only we weren't lucky enough to avoid it at all this time. So, while we were wet & miserable (it was actually pretty chilly by late afternoon) and the stroller got soaked (we're talking inches of standing water in the thing) in a downpour while we were in the "It's a Small World" ride & weren't able to use it the rest of the day (thankfully one diaper managed to stay dry!) we still had a great time and the lines were unbelievably short. On a nice day one might get onto 5 or 6 rides all day with hour long (or more) waits for each one. We rarely had to wait more than 10 minutes for a ride so we got to do all kinds of fun stuff--great for the toddler who has no patience too!!

Afton got to ride the carousel 3 times. He loved it so much!
Flowers by the carousel

We all loved the parade & it stopped raining long enough for it thankfully because this was the only time we got to see the characters. None were to be found for picture taking because of the torrential rains all day.

I have no idea what he's looking at in this pic but Chris took it during the "It's a Small World" ride. He loved the carousel but this was his favorite indoor ride. The whole thing was "Oooh's" & "Ahhh's". I just think his expression is hilarious in this shot.
A big day full of fun & adventure in the Happiest Place on Earth calls for a nap on the ride back to Grandma's. Me, I was drying my cold wet feet under the heater in the car!
Taken in GA on our drive back to MO. I saw all the cotton fields & wanted to stop for some pics. But, guess what?! As soon as we exited the highway it started to pour! All I got was this one pic from the car window.
This truck (a gift from his aunt in FL) unbelieveably kept him occupied the entire 2 day trip home. I don't care what kind of noise the thing made--it kept him busy and happy!