So I have some catching up to do. On the way down to St. Pete, we stopped at UF for a little break. We went in the Florida Gym and into the classroom where I have been teaching over the last semester. The boys had fun climbing up the steps and then decided to have a seat in the top row.
They loved playing in the swivel chairs!
We tried to go in the stadium but it was closed. :( I did get Eli sit by the gator in front of the stadium. He was scared because the gator looked so real. Eli even did the gator chomp.
We finally got to Papa's house. We were all a bit surprised. He's grown his hair out some and has a pretty long beard. After the boys realized it was papa and not santa, all was well.
Papa lost his hat not long after the Hoyt family arrived. Eli stole it first.
We went to the park later that afternoon to let the boys stretch their legs. They had this really cool this rock climbing little area. Both boys climbed up to the top and weren't scared at all.
Even papa climbed up and we got a good picture.
On Friday, Dec 23, we went Busch Gardens with the boys for the first time. We knew it would be a long day but the boys were really excited about seeing pictures of it. We asked my dad to go and he came too. Here is our first family picture together.
We went and saw some fishes and hippos. The boys enjoyed them and Eli really liked the fish. Aiden wanted to hurry and go see Super Grover (he was on the brochure).
They had these hippos outside and Eli was scared of them. It looks like he's laughing in this picture (which works out for me), but he was actually crying and wanted down. I finally got Aiden to sit on one and then Eli came over and sat on my back for a picture.
Look at the way Eli has his hand under his little chin. Too cute.
Here is my man ... I love him so much.
Eli thought the carousel looked like fun. It was great for a bit but we had to wait so long for it to start that he didn't want to ride it anymore. I ended up having to hold him during the whole ride because he didn't want to ride a horse.
My dad watched the boys for a few minutes so Brad and I could go jump on a roller coaster. I don't even remember which one it was but there was no wait. It was fun but I am getting too old to do that all day! Here is Aiden sitting in the same seat as mommy and daddy did on the roller coaster.
We finally decided to get on the train and go for a ride. Aiden was showing papa his new penny. Eli was papa's little buddy and sat on his lap during most of the train rides.
We headed down to the Sesame Street area and was greeted by Big Bird. Eli was originally scared of him but then stopped being scared enough to look up at the camera. Aiden was very scared of him.
They had a huge play area there to play in the and boys LOVED it. They got all sweaty from playing so hard.
We took a a break to watch a show which featured some of the main characters. Aiden was scared and sitting by daddy. Eli didn't mind giving Abby and Elmo high fives and they came down the isle to the stage.
Aiden eventually lightened up and had fun watching the show.
Eli was mesmerized by the show. He watched everything so intently.
At one point, I look over and Eli is leaning over onto Papa. It was so cute.
Eli was getting pretty worn out. We took the double jogger so that the boys could get in and out by themselves. Eli rode in the stroller most everywhere but Aiden walked pretty much the whole time. He even took papa with him so they could go over the choo-choo train track.
Here is Aiden and daddy way up high in the Sesame Street area. Both boys did a great job climbing in the high ropes.
Eli really wanted to go in these dino eggs so I offered to go with him.
After we had gone around once, I taught Eli how to race his hands and he was yelling "wee" as went around in circles. It was too cute.
As you can see from the picture below, Eli got very worn out. He's never fallen asleep in his stroller since he was about 4-5 months old. He was exhausted.
Aiden had a little left in him. He took a picture with us.
Here is daddy helping Aiden get his new penny made. He got 2 pennies while we were there and carries them around now.
Brad and Aiden played for a bit while I waited for a picture to develop. I'll have to scan the one the professional photographer took at the theme park. It turned out great.
We had a blast. We got there at 9am and then left about 3:00ish.
Aiden is very excited to go back with papa who got a year pass. It was a great family day! Thanks to Salute the Hereos Program so that our family could get in "free."
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