{we LOVE} Sea World

Sea World gives us four free tickets a year for Braden's active duty military service. I really truly appreciate that. This is the third time we have taken advantage of it and and every time has been a fantastic day for our family.  

These are sucker fish. Appropriately named, the fish suck on your hand. They eat the dead skin off your body. Like a live spa treatment. Some people (Braden) loved it. Some people who will go un-named, had a hard time with the sensation, and probably the idea of the whole thing, and screamed. And then there was a general announcement made not to scream and jump up because the fish will go flying. Good for Braden and his soft hands. 

Maisey trying to give the sea lions a fish before the birds swoop it up

Dolphins make me want to cry. And hug. 

I am missing that smile with all my heart. 

We were watching the beluga whales and I was telling Braden that I was trying hard not to feel jealous of the people who had paid several hundred dollars to be behind the wall feeding them. They just looked so majestic to me. So we were all standing there watching them for a while...... and then.....

A trainer was standing behind us so Braden asked her how trainable the belugas are. Then I asked her what she did to become a trainer because Anabelle really wants to do that when she grows up. She asked us if wanted to go back with her and feed the whales. We decided to go ahead and say yes. Just this once. 

Maisey takes her hand and leads the way. Because after all, she has no idea who this person is or where she's going.

The trainer, Erin, let the girls each pick out a toy to give to the whales.

Lila fed it and petted it but she did not want to kiss it. As she told me this morning, " kissing it made me novice (nervous)".

same story for Maisey

Anabelle thought it was amazing

I cried. It didn't ruin my mascara or anything but as soon as I walked back there, being that close to them overwhelmed me. They are so beautiful and absolutely amazing.

Early preview of our 2014 Christmas card. 

See, don't you feel like crying and hugging?

Then Erin took us to the polar bear cage and showed us what their  fur feels like (pictured above). It was very coarse and thick. Notice Lila shoving some up her nose. 

Comparing paws

We stayed back there for about two hours. It was incredible. And if Elise had to get pooped on then so be it. 

Bat rays!! Last year Maisey was obsessed with them and Lila was hesitant to touch them. This year they traded.

The killer whales scared the crap out of Lila. Seriously, Braden missed his favorite show because he had to take Lila to the bathroom because she pooped her pants during the show. 

And the  moments I love most about vacation. Our kids playing together.

I believe this was right after we found Lila because she took off for a few minutes. We lost her for a minute at the zoo the day before. The fluorescent shirts are strategic.

Riding with my girls

When we woke up that morning I asked Lila what she thought we would see at Sea World. She named a bunch of ocean creatures but specifically stated that she did not want to see sharks. Because you know, they "make her novice". The pool pictured above is full of little sharks that you can pet. At the end of the day there was no one around and Lila spent 30 minutes laying on the wall just holding about 30 sharks. They were announcing that Sea World was closed and were reminding us where the exits were. She made peace with the sharks and kind of loved them I think.  This moment is what brought about her desire for a shark cake.