I'm starting this blog because we had such a good time in Florida, and I wanted to find a way to share our Christmas lights video.
David's annual December trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa was this past weekend - and I got to go!
It has been a crazy, busy Autumn for us, so taking a break (for me) was hard, but so much fun. It wasn't much of a break for David; he had six shows in one day at BG. We rushed and rushed to the airport Wednesday afternoon only to find that at the last minute our plane was delayed almost two hours. We got to Tampa safely and rather late.
David had an early call for dress rehearsal on Thursday, but I got to sleep in. When David got back, he couldn't wait to get going. He is a little crazy that way. We spent the afternoon and evening at SeaWorld in Orlando. It was fantastic. I went to all the holiday shows and really got in the Christmas spirit. Also the SeaWorld spirit - we got splashed really well at the Shamu show, even though we were pretty high up in the stands! Later back at the hotel, David made a Home Depot run and spent the night making smoke boxes for the shows next day.
Friday was an early day for both of us; David had to be at the park by 7:30. I stayed through the rehearsal and the first show. It was great and very well received. They used all the 4D effects - water, air blasts, shaking seats, etc. - and the kids loved it. Then it was time for me to visit shows and shops again. I went to the sixth show; I knew just where to sit to stay dry. Then David and I had time to roam the park. He got to ride the roller coasters and I got to wait, and plan some shopping. We closed the place down after 6pm. David wanted to rest "a few minutes" when we got back to the room. I woke him up at 11pm and he changed into pjs and read for a little while. He was back asleep by midnight. What a crazy day he had!
Saturday, I was thinking we could just find something to do in Tampa, but David was ready to go again. So it was off to Orlando again to DisneyWorld-MGM Studios. Three theme parks in 3 days! It was fantastic. We had great parking, wonderful weather and a terrific day. David rode the Tower of Terror and the Rockin' Roller Coaster, we saw Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid and Muppets 3D, rode more rides and saw all the big shows. Our feet hurt, but we were smiling the whole time. The Christmas Lights (dancing Christmas lights!) were the highlight of the evening. We even got back to Tampa by 10pm and got a bucket of chicken for dinner and lunch the next day.
Sunday, we went to pick up Dianna, a 12 year old David home teaches in VB. She lives in Tampa with her non-member grandparents this school year while her mom, a single mother, is deployed with the Navy. This was her first chance to get to church there. Everyone in the ward was so friendly; I know she is going to get to go much more now. Several of the youth go to the same school Dianna does. We picnicked with Dianna in 80 degree weather in a lovely park after church, did some visiting with new church friends and her grandparents, and then it was time to go to the airport. Safely home before 9pm to a quiet, decorated house.
We have gone on this December Florida trip for so many years. Sometimes just David, or David and one of the kids, or both of us with one of the kids. This was the first year in a long time it was just the two of us. We had a blast! On our way out of Disney MGM we even got a special Mickey and Minnie Christmas ornament to commemorate our wonderful weekend.
Now there is so much to be done at home, church and school before Christmas that we are going
at top speed again! We just want you to know that cards, presents, etc. are all running late - not that that is news.
