Grandma and Grandpa!

Visit #2:  G and G came to visit and we had such an great time.  They arrived a day early and stayed a day longer (for them, that is amazing!) and we filled our days. 
We now live very far away from them but we live in a place that is great to visit in Winter and I am hoping they will take advantage of that and stay a lot longer during those freezing winters that WY endures. 

Some of the fun...
Day 1-Friday, hanging at home

C getting oranges from the tree in backyard!

Thanks Aunt Lori and Daniel...these guys loved the goodies G and G brought!

Earning a little $!  Quote of the day, "Grandpa, I charge $3 but I also accept tips!"  The girl knows what she's doing!

Day 2-Myaaka State Park and Siesta Key Beach

Visitors must go to Myaaka State Park! 

They were finally out and they were everywhere!  We saw so many this time.  Very cool!

Siesta Beach...the kiddos made this incredible volcano and used their swim tubes to make it work!  Very, very cool!

I love this picture!

Day 3 was spent at home watching the Daytona 500!  I was so into the race that I forgot to take some pics...it was a really fun race.  I am a new Nascar fan!

Day 4-our favorite place Anna Maria Island!

Anna Maria Island City Pier...celebrating 50 years!

G and G!

Enjoying Happy Hour at the AMI City Pier Restaurant!  Thanks Gramps!

Happy Kiddos!

Day 5

We had a wonderful visit!  I hate saying goodbye...so it's so long for now!

FL creatures!

We have seen lots of creatures while we have been in Florida.  Some are not so cool (giant cockroaches...ewwww!) but most of them are pretty amazing. 

In Myaaka State Park...

Yes, I know we see deer in CO but this is our first FL deer guys and was right at the entrance to the park..welcome!

 

These spiders were everywhere...really.  You can't tell how big but this guy was big.  Probably 4 inches from tips of legs. 

Friendly, evasive, and cute! 

This guys was my favorite.  He was so big and so patient with us.  He just hung out and let us watch him for the longest time.  I took lots of pics.

When the kiddos felt I had enough pics they really wanted to see him fly...so I let them run towards him.  He knew what was coming and off he went. 

He didn't like it...he squaked real loud as he went away but it was amazing to see this big bird just go...so easily.  Loved it!  He didn't go too far though.

Just far enough!  So beautiful.

Another big guy! 

We didn't get to see these but I bet they are pretty amazing when they finally do make their grand entrance. 

More later!

Part II

When in Florida you must do a few things...beach, beach, beach, and see alligators!  We have done the beach a few times already and we love it more and more each time.  But now it was time to find the alligators.

Ignoring all warnings (it's really very safe) we headed off on a hike along the river.

As we walked we noticed this dark spot across the river from us.  None of us could tell what it was so I decided to zoom in and take a pic.  Later, when I got home, I would look at the pic on my computer and see.
BINGO!  Our first spotting!

Later on we found another...

 And another...

and another!  The guide said that we wouldn't probably see many alligators on shore sunning because it was just too hot...

there always has to be one smarty pants!

Tomorrow Part III-the other creatures!!

Myaaka State Park, FL

Part I!

The canopy bridge!

This was cool...it took you over 70 feet high.  You could see the entire park and get a real perspective of the terrain.  The kiddos loved it...so did I!

A cool perspective.  The bridge is probably 30 feet off the ground and I am 40 feet above that. 

Zander!

 The view of the tree canopy at the top of the tower.  It's hard to tell how dense this is.

...and the view from the below!

The kiddos and I.

There's a story here.  A lot of palm trees fall but don't die.  They end up growing sideways and heading for the sun once again.  This tree was one of them.  We took a couple pics before this one above...I was standing in them.  Then all of a sudden...CRACK...tree fell all the way to the ground.  I was in the exact same spot and you can see I am no longer standing.  Thank goodness no one's feet were caught underneath. 

Part II tomorrow...hint...they are reptiles and they are ugly!