Busch Gardens

Just like when we visted in '09, we took advantage of the Here's to the Heroes program and had free entry into Busch Gardens.  Josie had a Summer Fun pass and tagged along to help me out!  It's funny how much money you are willing to spend once you are inside when you get in for FREE!  We had a great time and despite a rocky start with grumpy moods from both girls, they calmed down and we stayed until the park closed at 10!

Hailey was really bummed that she was too short to ride the big coasters but she went on everything that she was tall enough for!  Maybe next time!!!!  Her favorite ride was Escape from Pompei!

Kailee, following in her daredevil sister's footsteps, also went on all the rides that she was tall enough for! 

Despite the terrorized look on Kai's face, she really loved this ride!!!!!!  We even went on it more than once!  They must get their bravery from their Dad because there is no way you could convince me to go on these rides when I was their age (or even 5-10 years older!!!)  :) 

These rides were more my speed!  :)  I didn't go on my first coaster until 8th grade!  I don't know how they'd go from a thrilling, stomach dropping ride to these "baby" rides! 

The log flume was a big hit too (which also scared the crap out of me in 2nd grade!)  This picture is a picture of the picture they take right as you drop down!   We had gone on it several times and decided to all make a funny face on the last ride.  I found it hilarious that Kailee, at only age 2, was able to understand what we were trying to do and was relaxed enough on the ride to pull off her funny face!

And my favorite pictures of the day...at around 8:30 we were ready to call it a day and got ice cream and started making our way out of the park.  Since it had been so hot and nobody had napped we figured we were pushing our luck and should head home since we still had an hour drive.  The middle picture below is Kailee falling asleep while eating her ice cream.  Her poor little head was bobbing around but she was still licking away with her eyes closed!  We got her cleaned as best we could and she crashed which allowed Hailey and Josie to sneak in a few more rides and we were able to see the fireworks which was a perfect end to the day!