Florida

As a family we have done: 

Family reunions

Trips to see family

Holidays to see family

A few weekend and day trips

Never a vacation all on our own...

This was our year...

DAY ONE -- a very long drive, even for us.  We drove all 15 hours in one day. 

 we bring along the "earmuffs" and people take turns using them to have a little silence now and then. 

 Parker didn't bring enough graphic novels and ran out in the first few hours...

Greg drove most of the way, very serious...

 DVD player with 80's Saturday morning cartoons, a must!

DAY TWO

 We started at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, and headed straight to 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

 Most of the rides Yoda could go on, but a few he couldn't, so he tried out the seats just to be sure he was too small. 

 Yikes!

 Basically it was HOT!  But most of the rides were in shade with fans or with water misting, or even inside with A/C. 

 Off of the hippogriff ride, one of Maureen's favorites. 

 Hogwarts and another of their favorite rides, Forbidden Journey. 

 Hogsmeade

 Parker was pretty excited for Poseidon's Fury.  He says Poseidon is the best Greek god. 

 One of the best parts of going when we did was there were very few lines.  We rode the carousel and many other Dr. Suess rides over and over without any waiting. 

 Our first of many overpriced meals. 

 We got most of the way through our to-do list for one Universal park and decided to head to the other one.  There is a replica of the train Harry Potter takes to school that goes between the parks.  Very cool. 

 Now we are in London at the other Universal park.  There's a giant dragon in the top of the picture above--you can barely make it out.  It would breath fire every few minutes.  People stood there with cameras waiting for the fire to come, not realizing it was on a timer.  We started telling people to look up every 10 minutes, they looked relieved to not have to wait with their arms in the air.  You could actually feel the heat standing under it!  

 Butter-beer ice cream. 

I got a Pumpkin juice. 

 Opening the walls in London to Diagonally

 it was so hot.

We walked into the Simpsons World, we didn't take many photos, oops. 

Next few days coming up!