Disney World and Sea World

We surprised our kids on Friday.  Our good friends were going to be in Orlando for Spring Break.  It was our intention to try spend a day or two with them but first we had to see what Steve's schedule was going to be like.  He has been working in Charlotte about 3 1/2 hrs northwest of here.  On Friday he got home at 3:00 and we quickly jumped in the car and drove 6 hrs to Orlando.  After a dinner and potty stop we arrived at 11:00pm. 

I had not told the kids where we were going until an hour before Steve got home.  They were so excited it was their first trip to Disney. 

Early Saturday morning we got to the gates of Disney World and thanks to cell phones connected with our friends and their cousins.  It was an amazing fun day.  The park was so busy but we got to ride all the ride we have heard about. =)

foggy morning

Sarah Sabrina and Samuel

Steve and I

The Gyllich's and The Fast's

kids ready for a fun day.

Samuel and I with Buzz

Princess Tiana with the girls

Princess Tiana and the girls

At 8:30 we said good by to our friends and headed to the hotel for supper and a swim.  It was 11:00pm again before we got to bed.

The next morning we got up and went to Sea World with the kids.  Steve and I had been there 15 years ago and really enjoyed it.  Samuel was excited to see all the animals.  Everything went well until about 3:30 when we were seated for the Shamu Show.  A sudden rain storm hit and was it a storm, lightning knocked out the sound system and caused the show to be cancelled.  They left the stands open so we could hide from the torrential rain that was falling.  After waiting for about an hour we decided to brave the rain.  We still had a six hour drive ahead of us.  We dashed through the rain, and just as we reached the car the rain stopped.  Thank goodness a change of cloths waited in the car.

Sea World

entrance is still the same 15 years later

Samuel, Sabrina and Sarah

kids with the manatees figure

Samuel with the Dolphins

beautiful kids and garden

the lady with the paper was trying to get the whales attention

mommy and baby

waiting for the show

monsoon starts

cancelled

the whales still wanted to put on a show

Folly Beach

We took the kids to walk on Folly Beach on Sunday.  It was overcast and very windy but we really enjoyed the sand after the rocky beaches in Ireland.  lol, What a comparison, they are both amazing places to visit but so different. 

Folly Island is to the south of Charleston and has lots of vacation homes.  The beach grasses are protected.  Folly Fishing pier was destroyed by hurricane Hugo.

docks along the river

Samuel

Sarah

Charleston, SC

Steve and I with Folly Fishing Pier

Samuel, Sabrina and Sarah

shoes

enjoying the waves

Kids on Folly Beach

sun reflecting in the surf

vacation homes

Our Apartment

We are so spoiled again with our home away for home.  The apartment complex is like a resort with pool, workout room, cyber cafe, gathering room, outdoor grill and laundry.  The kids and I have been quiet happy to be here while Steve is away this week.

There are ponds around the apartment and we have been warned to expect snakes and possibly alligators near anybody of water.  I would so rather be around bears and cougars they are so much harder to step on by accident. lol

Samuel trying to splash the girls

club house

colored pool lights

Sabrina and Sarah

Samuel's room

our room

living room

kitchen and dining room

girls room

Riverbanks Zoo

The Riverbanks Zoo is a midsized zoo with a great variety of animals.  Located about 1 1/2 hrs northwest of Charleston in Columbia.  I am sure we will be visiting there again.

Samuel and a gorilla

recycled Lion

Samuel, Sarah  and Sabrina

he looked so cuddly

my favorite the tiger

Samuel was so excited to see an African Elephant

this is a big guy

Sarah with the penguins, they stunk so bad

girls riding a tortise

sunset on the ride home

Sunset on the Ashley river