Vanessa's Birthday at Seaworld (Road trip day 6)

Sweet Moment of the Day:

Colette really loves our pets, Sassy and Latte. Every time they walk by they bring a huge smile to her face. This morning was no exception as Colette scooched her way over to Sassy to give her some cuddles.

Happy Birthday, Vanessa, Seaworld style!

Today was Vanessa's 9th birthday and we celebrated by taking a trip to Seaworld. The day was great--we started it out at the Dolphin Show (which hasn't changed much since we were last here in 2005, but still entertaining, nonetheless):

Next on the agenda was viewing the sharks, since they were inside and cool!

It was hot again, so we had to take it easy and try to pick activities that involved water. Vanessa is an adventurous soul and "dragged" her Uncle Mike and Dad to go on the "Journey to Atlantis" rollercoaster/water ride while Aunt Kris, Jack, Josie, Colette and I waited for their big splash. I got some great pictures of us waiting:

I get the "Mother of the Year" award for feeding my kids ice cream sandwiches (before lunch) and buying them a toy out of the gift shop while we waiting for Mike, Mike and Vanessa to come down the big water hill. It kept them happy and sitting while we waited and it made it more bearable for them. It's hard to wait!

Alex slept peacefully, so I took a shot of him without pulling the canapy back so I wouldn't wake him.

Colette and all her wonderful rolls relaxed and napped as well while we waited...

Finally we got to see them round the corner and down the BIG HILL!

After the Journey to Atlantis, we headed over to the Shipwreak Reef Cafe for a delightful lunch. Since we were over there, after lunch Aunt Kris, Mike, Jack and Vanessa attempted to get on the Shipwreak Rapids ride to cool off, but the ride BROKE before they could get on it! BUMMER! So we headed over to the aquarium to see some fish.

After a while we headed back over to the Shipwreak Rapids and it was fixed! This time, Jack, Vanessa and I decided to go it alone while Dad sat back with Josie and Colette. Uncle Mike, Aunt Kris stayed behind to feed little Alex. They, too were able to get good shots of us as we got SOAKED!

This was Jack's first real "adult" ride where he was tall enough to ride. He waited patiently while we waited in line and snaked around in all the different switchbacks and stairs and people. He laughed hysterically the whole time during the ride and when it was all finished, he said (or screamed) "let's do it again, again, again!" You will see from this next picture, that we got SOAKED. It's a great ride and lots of fun without too much scariness. I'd love to do it again, again, again!

Tough to tell from the picture, but if I had been wearing a white T-shirt, I would be a contender to win the wet-t-shirt contest in the "Lactating category for Most Soaked Breast Pads.

After the Shipwreak ride, we were all pretty spent. We took some time to take in the killer whales since we missed the "Shamu Show" and a few minutes to decompress.

Here's the birthday girl at the end of the day, happy and soaked.

After Seaworld, we dried off and headed back over to dinner central at Uncle Mike and Aunt Kris' house. We had a "Vanessa-picked" meal: Spaghetti, with bread and salad. For dessert we had chocolate fudge cake after she opened her gifts from Aunt Kris and Uncle Mike and a box sent by Lolo and Lola.

Earings from Aunt Kris & Uncle Mike

Lots of pretty dresses from Lolo & Lola

Happy Birthday, our little peanut. You will always be our first baby. Try to slow down growing up just a little bit, so Daddy and I can catch up.

We love you all the way to the moon and back...