In April, 2003, Pa and Ma Thuline went to Florida to check out the real estate in swamp land and maybe buy the London Bridge if the price was right, and brought the whole family. This was Dale's Christmas present to everyone. Fourteen family members flew from Seattle in the early morning hours, on the day Jonathan and Benjamin turned four months, when most people are sleeping unless up to feed twins.

Shelly's sister Denise and husband Lenny sat on the plane with us each leg of the trip for assistance on our trans continental journey, trading seats with other traveler's on each leg. There were two legs on each flight, which for some reason refers to the segment of a flight. They boys flew quite well, being fed each time the airplane ascended and descended to help release the pressure on their ears. Shelly and I spent a lot of time walking around the plane with the boys. Regulations allow only one child in each row of seats, so Shelly and I sat in aisle seats across from one another with the boys in our laps when we were seated.

After short layover in the Salt Lake City airport we finally arrived via three car rentals to our house in Kissimee. Here we would stay, each smaller family in their own room, as our rendezvous point for the 10-day vacation. Brother Dean joined us from Virginia, not Seattle, despite the statement in the first paragraph. You might think that then mabye fifteen of us were on the trip. Nope, just fourteen.

We had a day to catch up on jet lag, with cousin's Blake and James spending a rare moment on the couch not watching the TV. Everyone helped out in the kitchen, in whatever way or ways they wanted. There was plenty of time to play games and interact with one another in many ways, especially if it included holding the twins.

The next day we headed to Sea World for the first day of a multi-day pass. Sea World has many great animals, animal shows, birds, and rides. We thought the best roller coaster of the trip was here, although there was a height limit.

The next day we went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure with its multiple themes and many high-intensity rides and inside shows. There was plenty of opportunity to wait with Emma or others kids under 54 inches next to the big rides, especially their parents. The twins went on the carousel in Dr. Seuss Land, where they could be part of a book or a funny city name. We also had a multi-day pass here which also allowed access to Universal Studios and City Walk.

The parks were about 20-30 minutes away from the rental house, which was at the end of a cul-de-sac in a housing development that was very nice, with each home having its own pool. We found it best to go early in the morning, come back for lunch and a break from the afternoon heat, then return in the early evening. This helped miss the biggest crowds.

We also spent a day at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico side of the state. We took the stroller out on the pier rather than the sand. Several of us tried body surfing but the waves were too small. "Hey, I broke my record; 10 feet." Still pretty fun. Other than a few missed spots on a nose and a back people managed to apply sun screen very evenly. Having severly burning my back on my first trip to a Florida beach in 1975, I made sure there was no repeat occurence, being very fashionable and wearing a shirt in the water.

Mike celebrated his 7X3 birthday for the 7th time with Sammy and Blake and the rest of the family on the trip, although his birthday was actually the day after we returned.

On the next to last day, Shelly and I took a trip to visit relatives on my side of the family. After boys' morning feeding, we jumped in the car and drove about an hour to Deland. Here we visited my Grandma Morrison's older sister Marion who is 102, and their sister's daughter's (Betty) son Roger and wife Julie. We barely missed seeing Betty as well who was at lunch with a friend. After feeding the boys and a short visit, we returned to feed the boys again back at the house and help get ready for the trip back to Washington. We returned on Easter, after a last minute Easter egg hunt and then heading out the door. It took a while to leave the door, but we all made it home.

Thanks Dale for a great family vacation!

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