a traditional {thanks}giving

if you follow my instagram, you already know we didn't have a "traditional" thanksgiving.

it seems we've developed a different tradition 'round here.
thanksgiving = shamu.

we bought passes to sea world and fiesta texas last year that were to expire the weekend of our trip.  that, combined with hubby's hotel points made it a fairly budget-friendly family vacation this year.



our room{s} were quite posh.  yes, plural.  hubs booked the girls a room {with 2 double beds} that adjoined to ours, via a sitting room.  i told you it was posh.  down-right swanky, if you will.  i mean, i finally got to try a 'rain shower'.  in 3.5 seconds, i realized it wouldn't be at the top my list in dream home necessities.  kinda like showering under a waterfall? {not that i've ever done that} but i like to breathe. 



our first day was spent driving to our destination, then getting re-acquainted with sea world for a few hours.  we {heart} sea world.



day two, thanksgiving day, was spent watching some of the macy's day parade in our rooms, then we headed out to black-eyed pea for their thanksgiving menu... with all of the other families who didn't cook. ;)  the only down side is that you can't snack on leftovers later.

we did our go-'round-the-table-and-tell-us-what-you're-thankful-for tradition.  basically, everyone is thankful for everything.  gracie made sure to let us know that she was least thankful for... having to eat a few bites of turkey. we're such mean parents. ;) 



we spent the rest of the day at sea world.  again.
gracie trying to eat over-sized candy canes. 
seeing faces in trees.  do you see it?
meeting mistletoe-man.
waiting for shamu, while enjoying christmas tunes via saxophone... played by tobey mcguire. at least that's what i thought about him.  who doesn't love a good saxophone?  *sigh*



we had to visit our friend from last year.  the king penguin.  i love their waddle.  and bad hair days {you know, when they lose their feathers} *giggle*  nator has a thing for penguins.  all birds, really.  i have a thing for her.  she's a cutie.  and oh so smart.

then there were the sea lion pups.  oh. so. adorable.

we watched a handful of shows.  shamu being my fave, as always.  thus we watched it twice. {i love when the animals decide they want to play in the big tanks near the audience... instead of rotating to the back pens during the show.  it's a show-stopper. literally. cute. well, when the babies do it, that is.} 

drank hot chocolate late in the evening when it cooled off. listened to christmas music.

gracie's faaaaavorite was feeding and especially petting a dolphin.  you would have thought she had met justin beiber in person.  her dolphin's name was nikki.  full of adorable personality.

now she wants a dolphin.
we told her we'd put it right next to that horse she wants.

it would be easier for them to {one day} work at sea world.
that's always something they dream of when we visit.



who knows... when my day-job changes, i may send a resume' to sea world myself. i'm used to working with animals, you know?

day 3 of our trip to come...
see.  traditional, right?