We had a great time in Florida! The weather was perfect and we had an entire week of fun activities planned.
We started our vacation out by meeting up with some friends of ours from Vegas , Keli & Ryan, who happened to be going to Florida over the spring break too.
Later on that day, Chad and I went to the Kennedy Space Center and had a blast! I absolutely love anything to do with space so it was a great experience. We went on a simulator that was a lot like being on a real shuttle taking off to space... without the g's, unfortunately.
Canadarm...
Chad and I drove to a nearby beach and then went out for a dinner at a really good seafood pub near the ocean. Later on, we met up with Chad's brother and his family at their condo at a Disneyworld resort. They arrived that day.
The next day, we went on an alligator fan-boat ride on a marsh preservation with Keli & Ryan, and their son Tae. We got to hold a 3 year old alligator. He was surprisingly really silky smooth!
In the afternoon, we all went to Cocoa Beach and hung out at the ocean. Chad and I got tan-ish burned. Chad and Ryan were swimming in the ocean forever... Keli and I were wondering where they were, but we had a good time chatting and watching Tae playing and trying to eat the sand. Chad thought he would help Tae out and build a sand toilet. Hmm, of all the things you can think of to make out of the sand!
Later on that day, we picked up Chad's parents and his sister from the airport, who just returned off her mission a few days earlier. It was really good to see her again! The next day, we went to Disneyworld and that was the beginning of a week of endless walking. There was so much to see at all 4 parks so we broke it up each day. We would get a start in the morning (around 9 am) and then would end up back at our condo about 10 pm so we had some very long days! We only ever saw our condo to shower and sleep.
Part of the gang...
We eventually went back to the NASA Center because on the day we went, we didn't get to do the tour because we ran out of time... which by the way, I HIGHLY recommend doing. Only if you're a geek like me and totally into that kind of thing. When we did the tour, we went as close to the shuttles as possible. In the below pic, you can see one of the shuttles. We were there just over a week before the Atlantis shuttle was scheduled for take-off. I'm sure you heard in the news but it took off on May 11th and it just recently came back. Hmmm, I just realized that if a shuttle can go to space and back before I post my blog then that's really lame... okay, I'm feeling it now. Anyway, before Atlantis took-off in May will be the LAST time that 2 shuttles will EVER be out together again (and only the 19th time). They are retiring the shuttles... the second shuttle being the back-up in case anything goes wrong with the first. This means that they are working on a new shuttle that will no longer require a back-up. They are also retiring the Hubble telescope in 2013 which has been in space since the 50's, and putting a new one in that is 20 x's more powerful!!! Can you believe that??? The Hubble telescope is already capable of finding over 10,000 galaxies in one single location!!! I cannot wait to see what the new telescope is going to do!!! I could go on and on about the space center but I'd better move on. I just have to add that Chad and I got to talk with a NASA employee. He told us all about the new shuttle (below is a pic of a piece of the new shuttle they're working on). The guy has been with NASA since '53 and knew so much so it was great to talk with him. I forgot to get a pic with him.The area behind me was used when a shuttle was taking off and for when monitoring the shuttle in space.
Atlantis shuttle behind me...
Back to Disneyworld. We had a really neat evening when we went to dinner with the Disney princesses. I highly recommend doing that. I'm not sure if Chad enjoyed it that much (just being funny). We had a hilarious experience (at his expense). Let me indulge, he he he. I'll begin by saying that Chad didn't get along with one of Cinderella's stepsisters so well. Whoever the red-headed one is (I think Drizella... I'll just say that) came to our table as we were eating... this is how it all started... Chad preferred to eat and stare at his plate instead of acknowledging that Drizella was standing at our table talking to us. She looked over at him, gets a mean scowl on her face and says, "well don't stop eating or anything just because I'm here!". She looked over at me and said "is that your prince?!". I said yes and she said "which kingdom is he from, they must not teach any manners there!". Chad continued to eat (or should I say, never stopped eating). Drizella shook her head and rolled her eyes and left the table. A few minutes later, a song was playing and some of the kids got up and danced with the characters. Drizella was dancing with a little boy and made a point to come and dance near our table with him, and looked over at Chad and said "jealous??". It was so funny!!! Chad was giving her attitude the entire time and they both acted like they genuinely hated each other. It was pretty awesome! It was also funny that Grace, our niece who is 8 years old, got her picture taken with Prince Charming. He kissed her hand and when she came and sat at the table she said, "I have a bad feeling in my stomach", as she had a huge grin on her face. It was so cute.
When we went to the Epcot Center, we toured around to all the countries. The countries I didn't post pics for are Mexico, Norway, Germany, U.S., France, & Canada. It was neat to taste food from each country. I gained 5 pounds from the trip but it was so worth it! Chad and I ate at a nice French restaurant in France and it was so delicious! It was pricey but we had to do it. Chad wants to go back just to go back to that restaurant! Our server was (really) from France and so I had some fun speaking a little French with her. It was fun to order our meals (because they were all in French), and I think she was impressed that I knew how to pronounce the words. Next stop: Europe. Can't wait to go! Epcot was a mere teaser.
The U.K... 
Meditating in Japan...
Chad strangling the camel in Morocco???
Kickin' it in Italy...
Chillaxin' in China...
The Animal Kingdom was fun. We got to see all kinds of animals. They had some fun rides and a safari. We went and saw the Lion King Musical. We were going to go to the Nemo Musical but didn't have enough time... we didn't have time to do lots of stuff. I tell ya, a week just isn't long enough!!!I love this pic of Chad & Kate, so cute!!!
Hollywood Studios was pretty cool. We went on a ride/tour that shows how they make movies. Chad loved the Aerosmith roller coaster ride. I'll have to admit, it was pretty dang sweet... if you like that kind of thing. We all became (or were made more of) adrenaline junkies by the time the trip was over.
I have to mention that I absolutely fell in love with Florida. This trip was the first time I have ever been there and I have to say, what a beautiful state! We rented an SUV and got to tour all over the Orlando area and drive near beaches and through cute little surfing towns. It was so cool to see alligator's in their natural habitat. I have a whole new respect for them now. I really enjoyed how green it was along with the dense forest and never-ending lakes. The weather couldn't have been anymore perfect. I'm ready to go back!!!It was great to spend time with Chad's family. It was so much fun and we came home with so many fun memories. I'm excited to back again one day.
Here is a link to the rest of the photos in case you're interested at looking at them.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=127191&id=677497176&l=6eb3479804
