FSMS Conference 2014

We just got back from the 2014 Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS) Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida at the Sawgrass Marriott.  We all had a great time spending time shopping, playing in the pool and exploring the zoo.  Justin was even able to spend a little more time with us this year since he has already fulfilled all of his continuing education requirements prior to the conference.  Woo hoo!

We left Wednesday around lunch time, much later than we originally planned, but it worked out.  I frantically ran up to Target that morning with both kids trying to grocery shop and buy Kate's schools supplies for VPK since I knew it would be the last thing I would want to do after we got home on Sunday.  We arrived in Ponte Vedra around 4, which was perfect timing since our room wasn't ready until then.  We spent a little time unpacking and exploring the hotel before dinner time.  

 Kate brought her purse full of toys and immediately "unpacked" all of her items under the tv.

 One of the many lakes where we fed the turtles. 

This was the best picture I could get of me and the kids - they know how to make me feel loved. :)

 On Thursday, our first full day, we headed south to St. Augustine to the outlet malls.  The kids did really well while we shopped and I owe a big thank you to Granddaddy for entertaining them.  

We ate at Barbara Jeans that night which was so good and I hope we can go back sometime.  It was pouring rain while we were there so we missed out on feeding the catfish...apparently it's quite a show watching the fish frantically eat the food.

Friday, we spent the morning at the pool, ate lunch at the hotel, and after nap time we headed up to St. John's Town center for a little more shopping and dinner.  That night before we left, I took advantage of the gorgeous view outside our condo and got a couple family pictures.  

 I didn't plan for the kids to dress like my parents, but it made for a great picture!

Love these two!

We ate at Bahama Breeze, which is always good, and had a little ice cream for dessert.  After dinner, dad and Justin took the kids to the large outdoor play area where they played hard while mom and I shopped. 

 It was a good way to wear them out before bedtime!

Saturday was "Zoo" day.  I had been looking forward to taking the kids to the zoo for weeks!  Saturday happened to be the one full day Justin could spent with us and the best weather forecast so it meant to be.  I also took the most pictures by far on Saturday. Thankfully, we were able to see almost all the animals - most were out and about all day.  The only one we missed was the gorilla so we'll just have to go back one weekend!

 Ready to go!

 Mason's "new" stance.  It made me laugh every time I saw him do it.  So serious.

 Watching the rhinos.

 Next up were the elephants...Mason really liked these.

 Watching the lions.

  I know this next exhibit was the highlight of Kate's day and maybe all of ours.  For $2, they let you feed the giraffes so daddy and Kate waited in line for their turn.  It was so neat!  While we were waiting, a guy noticed Mason had kicked off his shoes and they were dangerously close from falling off the observation deck and down into the giraffe exhibit.  It would have been bad if we had accidentally killed a giraffe when they ate his croc! Plus Mason wouldn't have had any shoes.  Lol.

 Feeding the giraffes!  

Kate asked me if I had fed a giraffe when I was a little girl and when I said "no", she replied "maybe next time you can feed one mommy."  I hope so sweetie!

 This little man crashed mid morning and woke up just in time for lunch - go figure!

 After lunch, we continued on checking out all the animals...

 Love his expression...we saw this look a lot during the day.  There was so much to see and do!

 Watching the otters swim and play.  These are some of my favorite animals - so entertaining and cute!

 We couldn't leave without riding the carousel! 

Mason's first carousel ride. 

We also paid a little extra to go in Butterfly Hollow.  I think all of us were a little disappointed at the size of it, but it was still neat to see all the butterflies.

 The last exhibit we saw was the Tigers - which is the newest exhibit at the zoo.  The tigers were out and about when we went by.

 The big finale was riding the train, which goes all around the zoo.  I'm glad we planned it that way because by the end of the day we were ready to ride.  I thought the walking path was a big loop, but it turned out to only be east/west so it was nice to jump on the train and re-explore the zoo before getting off at the front station right at the exit.

Waiting on the train.

 Kate picked out a stuffed pink otter which she named "Audrey".

We all had a great day and I'm sure it won't be our last visit to the Jacksonville Zoo.  Much cheaper and less crowded than Disney.  Ha!

Saturday evening was the formal FSMS dinner so my parents kept the kids while Justin and I headed out for the night.  

I was excited to hear next year's conference will be early in July so I don't have to worry about it conflicting with school starting and orientation (since Kate will be starting Kindergarten).  We can't wait for next year!