Orlando, Florida

Grandpa and Grandma Bingham took the entire family to Orlando, Florida in June 2005.

We were excited to spend time with everyone and enjoy new adventures. 

First stop is the Magic Kingdom.

It was so hot and humid.  Mid-afternoon there was a huge downpour.  We kept shelter under the side of a building til it subsided.  Ryan, Camille and their cousin, Casey couldn't resist to play in the rain.. and the puddles!

 

 

 

 

Epcot Center...more rain but today we were prepared with ponchos. 

 

 

 

 

We went to Disney Animal Kingdom...I think this was our kid's favorite of the Disney Parks!

 This tree was at the entrance of the park.  The entire trunk is created with carvings of different animals.  It was incredible.  The kids weren't impressed but so neat to see.

Jose and I relaxing while kids played in the dinosaur area.  We were there for quite some time.

 

 

 

 

 I planned this day for the family.  Who can visit Florida without seeing the Everglades??!

We had a long airboat ride.  It was so much noisier than imagined.  We each wore some noise cancelling headphones.  It was beautiful to see all the birds and grasses. 

We'd stop from time to time when an alligator was spotted. 
 

 

Some time was spent playing with the alligators (stuffed, of course).

 

 

 

Our group- the only photo of all of us during the trip.  Ryan remembers getting attacked by red ants while waiting for everyone to pose.  Lots of critters everywhere! 

Each evening was spent at the hotel pool...isn't Ryan so cute!

 

We said goodbye to everyone on the last day as our family drove to Gatorland.  We couldn't leave Florida without some more time with alligators.  Both kids sat on a live alligator (the snout was taped).  I was still so very nervous for them to pose for their pictures!

I was a great sport when posing for our family picture with the gator.  Also I couldn't believe the huge snake was wrapped around my kids' shoulders.  I can't believe how relaxed I look in the photo- I was really freaking out with these reptiles.