Clearwater Marina

We stopped in at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This isn't your typical aquarium.  Their focus is on education, rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine animals.  We got to see sea turtles, otters, pelicans, sting rays, and dolphins!  This is also home to Hope and Winter from the movie Dolphin Tale.
 

At first Avalyn was scared of the sting ray, but then she got brave enough to touch it.  We got to feed the sting rays as well.

 

Ava striking a pose in front of a turtle excluder device.  Fisherman use this to catch fish but it allows the turtles to escape.

Clearwater Beach

Our first stop of our Florida trip was Clearwater Beach. We stayed at The Sandpearl.  It's the same resort we stayed at when Avalyn was born. It's so beautiful!

View from our balcony

Avalyn LOVED playing in the sand, building sand castles, jumping in the waves, and running in the ocean.  The weather was perfect.  Mid 80's, breezy, and not a drop of rain.

Getting buried.  She thought this was the best thing ever!

Caught my girl doing what she loves most.  One of my most favorite pictures ever!

S'mores!  Well, Ava will only eat the marshmallow.  She doesn't know what she's missing!

 

For fun we also took this picture.  Same picture, same place, 5 years later!  :)

 

Fun Fall Events

Lion King Jr Musical

"The Circle of Life!"

 

 

Halloween Puppet Show

Photo with the Wicked Queen!

Click Clack Moo Musical.  Ava loves the book!

 

All Saints Day Party.  Ava was Saint Catherine of Alexandria

 

Parade of Saints.  The whole school walked around the block singing "Oh, When the Saints go Marching in."

Trunk or Treat

School trunk or treat. Ava had so much fun with her school friends.