Gator Lovin'...

Our last day in Sarasota was spent at the Sarasota Jungle Garden's. This was my favorite place of our whole trip. It was so fun watching Nash interact with all the animals. His first animal encounter was a small alligator. I had my settings messed up on my camera so the first few pictures are a little washed out. I as so sick after I reviewed my pictures because Nash was so into this gator with absolutely NO FEAR! Good thing Grandpa Willardson was on top of the picture taking as well.

The second encounter with the alligator I got the settings right and he loved the gator just as much!

I really did not want to hold the alligator but I knew I would regret not doing it. So I sucked up my fear and held the scaly creature, and it felt like a purse...haha!

He was a little to close to my face and I was hungry...;)

MOTE Marine Lab & Aquarium

We love aquariums...okay Darin loves aquariums and Nash and I think they are pretty cool too. To celebrate Darin and Grandpa Willardson's birthday we went to the Sarasota MOTE Aquarium. Nash is entering the terrible twos and so this is his way of letting us know how he feels while Grandpa and Daddy paid for the tickets...

Thank goodness he is not always like that! Just 75% of the time... ;)

Darin took it upon himself to demonstrate the conch shell whistle for the whole aquarium.

Darin is a great daddy, he is more adventurous then I am in touching sea animals, I am little grossed out by the water and refuse to put my hands in it. He has helped Nash not to be afraid.

The worker kept having Darin pick-up the sea creatures. I was impressed with his skill of juggling the wiggly child and picking up the little critters.

My favorite part of every aquarium is the shark tanks. Although the pictures with the real sharks didn't turn out...so here are the fake...Turtle feeding...Sometimes you should wear make-up.... :)

Isn't he just the cutest brown eyed boy ever!

I love special moments like these!

Fun, fun day at the MOTE Aquarium!

A Park with NO snow!

While Darin spent the morning in his conference Nash and I explored the area. Our favorite spot was a park near our hotel. Nash would see the park from a distance and go crazy in the stroller until we got there. I think he was going through park withdrawals.

Florida has some pretty awesome birds!

I think Nash was upset because they were not talking to him! ;) Feeling a little left out...

Wednesday Grandma and Grandpa Willardson joined us in Sarasota. We met them for dinner at a weird Mexican restaurant. Grandma was a hit with bringing Nash some books with farm animals. "The Old MacDonald" book is now his favorite and I can not go through a day with out singing it to him at least 3 times! He follows me around with the book saying "mo, mo, mo" in a singing voice...such a cutie!

Thursday morning they joined Nash and I at the park and a walk by the ocean. I have to say, I have some pretty awesome in laws. I am very grateful for the relationship I have with them.

I think the Myakka Canopy walk had a GREAT impact on Nash because he made Grandpa walk on this little plank bridge OVER AND OVER!

Nash has the BEST grandparents! Thank you for joining us in Florida and taking the time to make us all feel special.

Myakka River State Park - Canopy Walkway

We also took a leisurely walk through the trees on the Myakka Canopy Walkway. The entire trail takes about 30 - 40 minutes and of course that means at least 2 hours with a very curious Nasharoo. So we opted for the quick 5 minute walk to the walkway/tower. The walkway/tower was built to study treetops in the forest. The first tower is 35 feet off the ground and the second is 74 feet high, connecting the two towers is an 85 foot long suspended bridge.

Nash was definitely feeling better. He was running around finding sticks and making animals sounds.

Darin LOVES to read everything! Sometimes it is painful. :) Nash loved the signs and took it upon himself to read it to his dad.

Here Nash and I are walking across the suspended bridge. Only 5 people were allowed on at one time. It was pretty wobbly, Nash surprisingly loved the bouncing, as long as he was walking with NO help!

This is the 85 foot tower. It would sway back and forth with all the people walking up and down it as well as with the wind.

Looking up....

Looking down...

We made it to the top! Beautiful view but a little un-nerving with the tower swaying. Such a fun adventure, it reminded us a lot of hiking the Mayan ruins in Tikal, Guatemala....on a smaller scale with a crazy 22 month old!