Grandkids and Universal

 Happy Easter! He has risen indeed! "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."" John 11:25-26 (NASB).

This past week was a fast and furious one, pun intended because there is a ride at Universal Studios that is named “Fast and Furious Supercharged”. Tara, Jeff, Charley, Cody, Cameron and Chase landed Tuesday and ran from there. From playing on the playground, in the pool, and then Universal Studios, it was a packed four days. 

The KOA had a Jump Pad. The boys loved it and 

were able to make new friends.

A little sunny and sweaty.

Papa and Charley playing basketball.

Pool time!

Hogwarts. We had a fun (sweaty) time at Universal.

On Friday, the boys wanted to go swimming, but we could hear thunder in the distance, so we needed to wait until it passed. The boys and I watched a cooking show named "Rat in the Kitchen". Six chefs are contestants, while five are trying to win money for the team, one is a rat and trying to win money for themselves. It is a pretty good show and I like trying to find out who ends up being the rat.

Clouds before the storm.

Can you see the rainbow?

They left on Saturday, but before they left, we had lunch together. It was nice and the food was good. It is so hard to watch them go; we have had so much fun and I don't think we will be able to see them again for a year. That hurts! Love my family!

After lunch picture. Hubby is trying to be as tall as Charley.

Dean and I, just wondering why his glass is empty.

Fun with the gang. Dean, Frank and Sammy. 

Well, also, Cody, Chase and Cameron.

A little friend we saw after lunch.

So, hubby and I decided to drive into St. Petersburg and visit the Sunken Gardens. Fun fact: The Gardens began in 1903, when plumber and avid gardener George Turner Sr. purchased six acres of land, including a shallow lake ten feet below sea level, which he drained to form his private "sunken" garden. Turner started painting papayas and citrus fruits along with other exotic plants on the rich soil surrounding his home. By the 1920's, Turner had opened a nursery and began selling fruits, vegetables, and other plants, visitors were paying a nickel each to stroll through the gardens. In the fall of 1935, he fenced his garden and started charging an admission fee of twenty-four cents. The Gardens eventually became widely popular, and from the 1950's through the 1970's were ranked among Florida's top ten commercial attractions. After Turner's death (1961), his sons, Ralph and George Jr. continued to run the gardens, which were eventually passed on to Ralph's three sons. They eventually sold it to the city in 1999 for more than $2.26 million.

Waterfall

Hubby and bamboo. 

Sunken Gardens Growing Stone. This fossilized limestone 

rock was originally found in the center of the sinkhole lake,

 which formed the Sunken Garden. Legend has it that,

 "He who sits upon the ancient stone shall be granted 

tranquility, inner harmony, and the talent to make 

things grow." Traditionally, the first day on the job for 

Sunken Gardens employees always includes a trip to the Growing Stone.

Chilean flamingos. Sunken Garden has 

maintained a flock of flamingos since 1957.

African Climbing Fern. A large fern with a straggling and a continuously

 growing horizontal underground stem which puts out lateral 

shoots and adventitious roots at intervals that can be up to 22 yards 

long and a half on inch in diameter. It grows around surrounding trees. 

The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Koi Pond

Orchids

Tortoise Habitat

Hubby and I loving this place.

I thought this picture was a nice combination of the sky, buildings and a boat. This is truly Florida life here in Tampa Bay. 

Leaving St. Petersburg and looking at Tampa.

One never truly knows how much a person can love their dog. How they want to take on adventures with them. We travel with our boy, Gus, in a truck and an RV, this guy, well, he likes to travel on the wild side with his favorite pup. You never know what you will find on the road.

Just a man and his dog. The dog was wearing 

goggles in case you are concerned for him.

If there is something special you would like me to take a picture of, please let me know!
 
Drop a comment for me and let me know your thoughts on the blog.
 
God, the RV & me...