Let the Memories Begin - Final Part

On the final day with everyone, we didn't have a lot of time before Beth and Natalie would have to board the plane, so I decided to take them to Gaylord Palms.  I think everyone loved it!  Who wouldn't when you are in a swamp with air conditioned comfort? 

After walking through the beautiful plants and trees inside the solarium, we sadly had to go to the airport to put Natalie and Beth on the airplane for home.  Why did the fun ever have to end?  Well, for Beverly, Joyce, Dad, and me, it didn't end yet.  We still had a few days before they had to leave.  So we headed for Jacksonville and added a new person into the mix--George!  (Plus we spent lots of time over at Jeff and Amy's so that my dad could get to know their kids better.  That was lots of fun for both him and their family.)

George has always been the one to think of great ways for having fun.  He got some wings and fries, we headed for the picnic tables at Spring Park, and had a wonderful time enjoying the great food, wonderful scenery, and fantastic company!

Although I had to work, for the rest of the day we always tried to do something fun so they could enjoy Florida.  They would be going back to snow and cold weather, most likely!

George loves to show everyone where he first lived as a little boy. 

Then they moved to this house which his parents had built.  It is right on the water, so he used to have gators sunny themselves in his backyard.  No kidding!

On the final afternoon, we went to the Landing to have one final birthday dinner with my dad.  We really did stretch his birthday out for a week!  This should be a birthday he will never forget!

One of the waiters sang a solo "Happy Birthday."  It really made Dad feel special!

Now for the birthday cake--red velvet.  He is in Florida, and that's about the most Southern cake you can have, right? 

Since George didn't get his ice cream at the restaurant, we stopped at a little shop and got some, then went out on the deck to eat it while we watched all the activities on the water and Landing below.

He is trying to tempt me, but I really didn't eat any.  Honestly!

The next day, George took them to the airport while I was at school.  Good-bye, my dear sisters and Dad.  Thank you so much for making memories in a week that I will never forget!

Let the Memories Begin - Part 2

After two days in Disney World--one in the Magic Kingdom and one in Epcot, you would have thought five "older" kids and their dad would have been tuckered out.  Not so!  We just got more and more excited about our next adventure, so off we went to Animal Kingdom!

In addition to viewing the beautiful scenery, we were able to watch a wonderful bird show . . .

Don't take this picture wrong--I wasn't sitting down to rest, I only wanted the grandkids to see this on the blog.  A gator bench!  (Since I am the oldest daughter, do you think I would want the others to think I couldn't keep up???  No way!!!)

We saw a wonderful stage production of "Finding Nemo."  It was outstanding!" 

Then we went to a theater in the round where we saw the musical of "Lion King."  With dad being in a wheelchair, we were on the front row!

Then we went on a jeep safari to see animals in the wild. 

Notice these giant termite mounds. 

This is what they look like inside and up close. 

These birds (I can't remember their names) don't have oil on their wings to keep the water off, so they have to sit in sun and dry them off that way.  Pretty cool, huh!

Just as we exited the jeep safari, the Animal Kingdom parade began.  What fun!

The large puppet animals looked very difficult to pull as well as to handle, but the people did a great job!

"Happy Birthday, Ray!"  everyone kept calling.

That evening, we had another birthday dinner, this time in the Rain Forest Cafe. 

After eating a fantastic seafood dinner . . .

Joyce had the great idea of having a volcano for dessert.  Do you see how huge this thing is?  We saved most of the cake part for the next day. 

Then the waiters brought out a bowl of ice cream with a candle just for my dad. 

I took this picture as we were leaving after such a wonderful day.  See how cute the little bar stools were?  Seriously, Walt Disney artisans are the best.  How do they keep coming up with these ideas?

That night, I have to say, the beds looked pretty enticing after being in the three parks all three days and staying literally until the park closed.  That's just the Rigby way, hah! 

We had two rooms that each had two queen beds and a sofa couch.  Again, Beth had a student who worked for Marriott, so we had a discount each night on the rooms.  Thanks, Beth, for all your great connections! 

Tomorrow the vacation would end for Beth and Natalie since they both had to get back, but for Dad, Beverly, Joyce, and me, we could just keep partying!