Monday, December 5, 2011

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.

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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. 

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

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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. ;) 

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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*

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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.

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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?

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


7 comments:

  1. I haven't been to Sea World in years...it looks like such a fun day. Being with family and feeling thankful is what the day is all about, no matter where its spent.

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  2. Looks like such a great trip!

    Wow, I may have wanted to just hang out in the hotel rooms the whole time! Sa-waaahn-keeee!

    I always love reading your blog...your love for your family and life shines through.

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  3. What a great time! Love Nator's hat in the first set of pictures. LOL at you working with animals - not sure Jas would agree :)

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  4. I love your 'Traditional NOT' Thanksgiving. I would honestly love that sort of holiday for us. Love all the pictures too. Your girls always look like they are having the greatest time! I love that. Of course YOU always look like that too.

    The penguins are adorable! What a great trip. LOL on Gracie wanting a dolphin. Keilee wants whatever animal she is looking at.

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  5. Thank you for stopping by and leaving hugs....means a lot. :)

    You guys always have the best vacation and trip pictures! Your girls are so blessed to have such hip and fun parents!

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  6. Swwwanky! Love your Thanksgiving celebration pictures and would like to invite myself to come along next year. Mmm-kay? Thanks. Just call me Auntie Londa. :)

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  7. Yay for non-traditional! Looks like a fun trip. Love the giant candy cane pic. Oh, and I haven't eaten at a Black-Eyed Pea since my college days in Colorado. We loved that place!

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