Check out this deal from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens/Aquatica!

Hopefully you have all read my blog in the past about my wonderful childhood experiences at SeaWorld. If not, I'll clue you in briefly. I grew up in Ohio and we used to have a SeaWorld up there. Our family would go there once every year or every other year or so. Fortunately, my dad made a video tape of our trip up there in 1991 (I believe that's the year). Even today I love watching the video. Mostly because of the great time we had and the HILARIOUS acts they put on at the diving pool, but also because it's one of the very few videos I have of my brother before he died.

There were a TON of things to do there! And getting to be so close to the animals was life changing. Breathtaking. They were SO beautiful! And I can't help but wonder how many people got the motivation for their careers working in the ocean from SeaWorld.

Now I live in Atlanta and SeaWorld is just a state drive away in Florida! We don't have to worry about reserving plane tickets and risking a "Home Alone" adventure (Ugh! Could you imagine?) It is my plan to take my boys there to experience the wonderful times that I had.

I recommend everyone take a look at my blog archives listed on the right column to read the review I gave of the new ride at SeaWorld called "Manta". It's definitely unique and you won't find anything like it anywhere!!! You fly through the air like a Manta Ray in the ocean! Yes, you are on your belly the whole time (except for the flips that put you on your back and every which way!!!) And the aquarium displays throughout are incredible.

Ok, as if that isn't AWESOME AS HECK enough they hit you with a big surprise: Buy a ticket at SeaWorld and you will get a ticket to Busch Gardens or Aquatica... FREE! How awesome is that? That's a DEAL for a nice vacation close by in Florida. Now where else in Florida can you get such a great deal for TWO parks that can't be beat? With the economy as bad as it is, we all need to find ways to save money. But we still have to live right? This is a great way to save and have memories that last a life time (like me!)

Be sure to check out these links to learn more. If you go make sure you come back and brag about your experience!:
SeaWorld
Manta

Myrtle Beach Day One!

Ok this is my first time in Myrtle Beach. Like I said before, this is the closest I was able to get to Virginia Beach. I used to live there and it killed me to leave. I've been dying to go back but was never able to. I literally feel like I left a part of me there. But as soon as we got to our oceanfront room I changed into my swimsuit and got everyone ready to go out.

Ahhhh it was so nice to hit the sand again! To feel it under my feet and wash from under my toes. It's just the little things! And the water was perfect. Colin wasn't even scared of the sand or the water! When Cody was little he was so scared of getting on the sand and wouldn't even go close to the ocean! But Colin had his buckets and shovels. We went right away looking for shells. That was the coolest thing to him. He had this starfish shaped thing (that ironically he's playing with it right now!) and was making little "Patricks" in the sand - like SpongeBob SquarePants. He get a kick out of it!

Marty had a blast in the water too. We took turns staying with Colin. The other person went out deeper in the water with Cody and we'd get swept off our feet by the waves! I got hit by one strong one in particular and I took a rough tumble but I'm cool. Cody took a couple real bad ones but all in all it was so much fun! We laughed so hard our stomachs hurt!

Later we went to the hotel pool and swam in the kiddie pool (Colin was in HEAVEN with it!) And Cody, Marty, and I (2 at a time) hung out in the hot tub. It's was HOT. But once I was used to it it was ok.

We went back to the room, I took a shower, and then we walked to a restaurant up the road. It was a pricey place and the service sucked! Marty and I had Crab Stuffed Flounder with Hollandaise sauce. The food definitely wasn't worth the money we paid. I'm pretty disappointed. But we paid and left. It was after 10:00 pm by this point. Afterwards we all walked the beach barefoot and did more shell hunting. The breeze was AWESOME and there was a thunderstorm off in the ocean. We turned around and went back when we found a Jellyfish washed up on the beach.

Well, now I think I'll call it a night. I'm never down this early. I got a beach to hit tomorrow!!!

Oh and I found out the other day my best friend is joining us on Tuesday!! Kenzie, her husband, her daughter (who I swear is getting married to Cody one day), and their 1 year old son. We all get along great and we'll have SOOOOO much fun!!!!