Florida 2004–Days One & Two [Archives]

Way back in October 2004, the fam made our first real family vacation–trips to Oklahoma don’t count!–a trek down to Florida to see family and visit the Happiest Place on Earth!

We flew down to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday and stayed with my Uncle Jeff and Aunt Susan. Got to see many cousins (Ryan, Alisa (sp? you can tell I’m a big family guy by the fact that I don’t even know how to spell my cousin’s name), Nathan, Michael, Eric, Mandy, and Stephanie) and my other Uncle Jeff–kind of like Darryl and the other brother Darryl from Newhart.

On Sunday, we drove up the coast to Cocoa Beach. Florida had been hit by three hurricanes in the previous 45 days (or so), so the beach was pretty filthy with debris and such.

Then we visited Ron Jon Surf Shop–a really great place. Speed really wanted to get a surf board, which totally makes sense in North Texas.

You can see Emma here with her version of the woobie, which always reminded of a great line from Mr. Mom:

Jack Butler: I understand that you little guys start out with your woobies and you think they’re great… and they are, they are terrific. But pretty soon, a woobie isn’t enough. You’re out on the street trying to score an electric blanket, or maybe a quilt. And the next thing you know, you’re strung out on bedspreads Ken. That’s serious.

Luckily, the woobie is a thing of the past. But she does have a thing for blankets. If she moves on to quilts or bedspreads, I’ll know we are in trouble.

At the end of the day, we drove over to Orlando to our hotel just outside the north entrance to WDW. The kids were anxious for the morning to come!

[Originally posted January 24, 2008]