Happy Fathers Day Dan

I have to pay tribute to the man that has changed my life in so many wonderful ways over the past 8 years. I am so blessed to know him and to be loved by him. I can't imagine parenting without him. He has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met and his capacity to care for others is inspiring. He is our encourager! A & B agree, here's to the best father ever... Daniel Albert Bittinger II. Thank you for making our lives rich.

Florida Aquarium

We spent today at the Florida Aqarium in Tampa, Florida. We came when Ali was just over 1 year old and she had a great time, but it was neat to see how she viewed everything as a 3 year old compared to then. She was very excited about the sharks and getting to touch a stingray and starfish.

This is a clear section of the floor for you to watch sharks swimming underneath you. I have the very same picture of Ali sitting here two years ago watching them go back and forth. We looked at the photo album last night before our trip today, so she anticipated seeing the sharks under her again.
This is my little sea turtle hatching.

This was a dive show that we watched.



Then we slathered on the SPF and went to the water area after lunch.
And I had to add these two last photo's because not more than 5 minutes after getting in the car, both kids were asleep and didn't wake until we got out of the car.

Feeding the Ducks

Yesterday we went to storytime at the Lakeland Library on Lake Morton. Afterwards we walked down the sidewalk to have a picnic on the lake and feed the ducks. Ali has been looking forward to feeding the duck for two weeks.

Ok, these aren't ducks, but they wanted bread, so we fed them.

Here are the ducks....and a very hungry swan.
I love when Ali and Ben 'play' together these days. She loves to make him laugh and that makes her laugh...and so on. They can be very silly.

This was A & B helping Dan clean out the tub before bathtime.

Cypress Gardens

On Friday, Dan was able to take a vacation day and we went to Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida with our good friends the Allen's. Here is our day in pictures!

Ali and Lincoln driving the boat ride.

Ali's all time favorite mode of transportation... trains.
Another fascination of Ali's... firetrucks. This is a friend she met waiting in line before getting on the ride. I was suppose to ride with her, but she decided to go with this little guy. I was so proud. She tends to be really shy around anyone she doesn't know.
Ali called this her Cinderella carriage.
Anything 'driving', she rode.
Dizzy Dragon was another ride she wanted me to ride with her on, but I can't stand spinning rides. So, I talked her into letting Dan ride with her because he really likes them. Turns out, she is like her mother and hates the spinning too. You can see part of Dan in the pic, but she is burried into his side. BTW, we waited an extra turn just to get the pink dragon.
They always have these Southern Bells at the entrance of the park.
These pics are of an antique firetruck.
Dan with A&B and this is Ray with Linc.

This was like a hang glider ride... look in the background to see Dan and Ben... and one more back is Gwen with Linc.

Then it was off to the water area of the park which was very welcomed since summer has definately arrived in Florida.