For our last big day in Florida we decided to head down to Orlando and hit up the Kennedy Space Center. Adam had gone to the center with his parents when he was a little boy and was really excited to see it again. I, on the other hand, had never been, so it was really fun to see it all for the first time. The Universe is AMAZING! That is for sure!
Because the drive to Orlando was over an hour long, we decided it might be best just to check out of our condo in Daytona and then rent a different condo down in Orlando. That also allowed us to sleep in a bit longer the next morning for our early morning flight leaving from Orlando. So it was a win win all around. So after packing up our bags and checking out – we headed down to the Space Center.
Unfortunately though, we really hadn’t allowed ourselves enough time to see everything we wanted to, but we at least got to see and do the big things – like the tour of the shuttle launch, Atlantis, and the Hubble IMAX (which was seriously one of the most amazing movies I’ve ever watched!) It was so awesome to see how far we’ve come with our space exploration and how vast and incredible the universe is. It just gave me a stronger testimony that God is REAL and that his love for us is eternal. Its a pretty humbling thought to think that with all the incredible things he’s created in the universe, that we are his GREATEST creation, and that we can have all that he has. So amazing! Anyway, below are some of the pictures from our fun day! Hope you enjoy! đ
On the bus taking a tour of the Nasa building and shuttle launch.
At the end of the tour we got to go and see a museum that contained all the elements needed to send a shuttle into outer space. It was incredible to see how ginormous everything was (compared to the shuttle) and how everything worked together. So cool!
This was a smaller replica of what we were looking at in the picture above.
I loved these old space suits! So hip!
One of the big “To See” items for both Adam and I was Atlantis. We made sure that got put into our agenda and it did not disappoint. We were able to go on a ride which basically “trains astronauts” on what they will encounter during an actual launch and it was so fun to see how our faces and the skin on our necks jiggled. Who knew? It made us both laugh.
My favorite part though was definitely the IMAX movie. It basically talked about the history of the Hubble telescope, about how it was almost shut down due to lack of funding, and how it originally had a couple problems that needed to be “fixed” up in space but then how successful it was once it finally was up and running. Some of the images that it took completely took my breath away and were so awe inspiring and awesome that I just couldn’t believe I was really looking at them. It was incredible and just left me feeling so small and yet so important too knowing that I have a part in it all. It was really very cool.
We had to head out after our movie though since the center was closing and from there we drove an hour to Orlando where we were meeting up with one of Adam’s co-workers and her husband for dinner. They took us to a fun little BBQ place where they basically give you a tray with a napkin on it and plop down all your food, but it was AMAZING food and had a really fun atmosphere. We both loved it and loved getting to know Michelle and her husband Mark better. What great people!
From there we drove out to our Orlando condo – and pretty much just went straight to bed. We had an early morning flight so we didn’t get the luxury of getting to enjoy the amenities much – but we wished we could have because it looked like an awesome place. I guess that just means we will have to make the trip back to Florida again soon. We sure did have a great time and loved making so many wonderful memories together!
Living room of the condo
The next morning we got up with the sun and then drove to the airport to head home to our little munchkins. A huge thank you to my sis Jess for helping with the kids, as well as my sis-in-law Lori and my two awesome babysitters Libby and Sydney. It is always so nice to know you are leaving your kids with people you trust and who adore and love your kids as much as you do! We sure have been blessed that way!
Florida we will sure miss you! Thanks for letting us come and enjoy some of your treasures!
