florida trip: the bonnet house

When The Man and I found out that we would be heading to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for Nick's wedding, we started looking for things to do in that area.  Ultimately we made the decision to stay four hours away in Orlando (the amazing deal that's still going on with Universal Studios really was just too good to pass up), but in my googling I found The Bonnet House.

It boasted of spider monkeys living in the trees.  Need I know more?

The Bonnet House was a mere 10 minutes away from the wedding location so when all was said and done there we swung by to see what we could see.

What I imagined was swarms of monkeys hanging out in the trees.  What we found out was that there were five.  Total.  On 35 acres.  They told us that only about 20% of the people who visit actually get to see a monkey.  But they had been seen that day and helpful volunteers of the Bonnet House pointed us towards their last known whereabouts.

On our search for the monkeys were told to check out Peaches.  We were told that if we clapped, danced, and sang that peaches would join in with us.  We found peaches first and decided to try it out.  I felt absolutely ridiculous dancing and clapping for this bird, a few other people were milling around and I was very aware of them, but I finally pushed it out of my mind and performed for Peaches.  I wasn't disappointed.

We got Peaches to dance for me again and that time was much better than this time, he flared his head feathers and started wailing in a high pitched voice, it was hilarious.

Everytime we go on vacation The Man and I have incredible good luck.  This trip was no exception.  Let alone the great deal we that we found to even go,  but we also found ourselves to be among the 20% to see the monkeys.  It got better still, not only did we get to see one, but we got to see two, which the volunteers gushed at, "this is so rare to see two of them together."

I wasn't quick enough but you can barely see the head of the second at the top of this next picture.  I almost had both of them!

They didn't want us to hand feed the monkeys but I got to throw a nut up to one.  He swung out with only his tail holding on and caught it. 

I'm smitten.

I got to hold and pet Papa the parrot.

After that little outing we headed back up to Orlando for our last day.  On our way we saw this monster:

The guy who was pulling it looked out his window and caught me taking pictures of his truck.  I gave him a cheesy, sheepish grin and then gave him a thumbs up.  Luckily he laughed at me and returned the thumbs up.

Whew, I'm glad I didn't have to get beat up for taking pictures of his stuff without asking.

florida trip: the coolest golf course ever

Okay, that would be the coolest mini golf course ever.

We all know how well we mini golf here in The Circus. (here if you missed that post.  The video of me says it all.)  We are professionals.  We walk our ball to the hole, hit it repeatedly until it goes where we want it to, spend a lot of time bailing our balls out of water, and use our hands when necessary.  We never keep score.  (We went mini golfing with Grandpa Brent and Grandma Julie this weekend and while Grandma Julie fit in with our antics, I think we drove Grandpa crazy.  I'll post about that later when I get the pictures off my camera).

We spent our last day in Florida at Universal Studios.  We had a three day pass and had already spent two days there (here).  The crowds were minimal and even with the rain on one day (it was warm rain so unlike Utah, so what did we care if we were wet?  We were still warm.) we were able to see most everything and ride all the rides.  Our last day there was the begining of spring break for Florida so it was going to be busy.  Luckily it seemed the masses of people wanted Harry Potter and we'd already been there, done that.  We did hit Harry Potter first thing and rode the dragon ride (our favorite!) and then we left the Island Adventures Park and went over to the regular park where the crowds were not so thick.  We finished up with the few shows we hadn't yet seen and then...

well, now what? 

We had a couple of hours to kill before we had to head to the airport and we'd covered every inch of the two parks.

On our way to and from parking we'd been passing a golf course that looked too fun not to notice.  I mean seriously, how can you pass by this and not want to check it out?

So we did. 

When we paid they asked if we wanted the alien side or the haunted side.  No brainer for me.  A chance of having a slice of Halloween in March? I'm in!  Aliens aren't my genre.

The swamp monster under the bridge sprayed you the entire time.  Florida is serious about its water usage.  They want you wet!

Isn't The Man so handsome?

The tree below would be the part where The Man hit his ball in full force skiwampus and it bounced around this area, almost taking out two other parties.  They all stopped cold and looked at us.

"Sorry!"  I yelled.

And then one of the "victims" yells "Fore!" and everyone started to laugh. 

Why does it feel like somebody's watching me? This song totally went through my head.  This song also used to scare the crap out of me when I was a kid.  I'm still not sure I'm comfortable with it.

I've decided that my yard must be fashioned after this golf course come Halloween.  It must!  And I've decided that this year my witch curtains on my porch have to be purple.

Finally it was time to head back to The Circus.  Time to head home and spend time with Tayler's strep throat.

Poor Bug.  Thank goodnes for antibiotics.

florida trip: nick and sheri have a wedding

Once upon a time I gained a little brother.  I was 17.  He was 15.  My dad married his mom and we became a family.

Nick was annoying, he had no sense of humor and was ornery all of the time.  (I'm imagining his face if he ever reads this ha ha :).

I'm sure I wasn't all that great to be around then either.  I imagine I was prone to create drama in my teenage years.  Maybe I still do, but I certainly try not to.

Things change.  People change.  Nick was my rock when I needed him.  I grew a bond with him that will last a life time.  I never laugh so hard as I do with him.  He gets me.  He's protective of me.  He wants nothing but the best for me.  And I feel the same for him.

How happy I am that he found Sheri.  She and Nick are a perfect fit for each other.  To watch them interact with each other makes me smile.  It makes Nick smile.  I'm grateful to Sheri for that. 

Nick deserves her.

We left Orlando on Saturday night to meet up with the family in Ft. Lauderdale for dinner the night before the wedding.

We headed to Flaningan's, an Irish pub and restaurant that specialized in sea food and was ready for the upcoming St. Patrick's day.  Maybe a little too ready?

The wait was long but the food was oh so worth it.  We threw Sheri into an "animal rights" tizzy when we discovered that dolphin was on the menu.  Be rest assured that it was not dolphin, as in dolphin the mammal, but dolphin, as in the mahi mahi dolphin fish.  It was a sea food eating rookie mistake :).

Sheri

The night was warm with a slight breeze and we ate outside on the water (pond, not ocean) where fountains and lights played.  We (as in, not me, but West and Julie-mom and others) ate garlic clams while we waited for our food.

I got to sit by my cute new nephew, Christian.  That boy is a fountain of random knowledge.  He would spout random facts about mythology to me, but I was okay with that.  I was vying for my place of "favorite aunt". 

The next morning Sheri finally hit her bridezilla groove (she'd been far too relaxed through out the process so far) and was scattered and had nerves. 

Tums.  Give the woman some Tums already!

I got to do her hair which I felt was an honor to have been asked, I was so happy to help.

And after 25 runs back and forth from hotel room to hotel room for things forgotten... jewelry, shaving legs, bra... Sheri, West and I finally hit the road to the restaurant where the ceremony and lunch would take place.

I had the privilege of escorting Nick out of the main room and to the bar upstairs to get him out of Sheri's way so she could finish getting ready with out being seen by the groom to be.  He was as calm as could be, a perfect contrast to Sheri.

Back in our pool playing days, Nick and I were often mistaken as twins.  We still refer to each other as "my twin" or caller each other simply "twinner".

Picture by my bro in law Fred

We all followed Nick out to the beach for the ceremony, to wait for Sheri and her son Christian.

Pic by my bro in law Fred

Pic by my bro in law Fred

My brother in law Fred is as sarcastic as they come.  When I first walked into the lunch area before the wedding started he put his finger to his mouth and "shushed" me.  When I looked at him he replied, "your dress is too loud."  This coming from the man who wore a swim suit to the wedding... I'm not too worried about taking fashion advice from him :).

Pic by my bro in law Fred

Pic by my bro in law Fred... my "loud" dress

It fell to my dad to give the toast.  He simply stated, "Live long and prosper," and gave a peace sign.

Had I given the toast, I would have said
To the brother who has been there for me.  You have been through so much, and wanted to find that "someone" so badly.  That "someone" who would get you and not want to change you, but who would love you as you are.  You found her.  I can see it in your smile, I can see it in your eyes, and I can hear it when you talk about her.
Cherish each other.  This is the type of love everyone dreams of.

mine, West's, and my dad's hands