Swimming with Manatees AGAIN!

Call me crazy but I just didn't get enough manatee time on our 1st visit to Crystal River. And I had to TOUCH one!!

The ultimate compliment when this playful guy barrel rolls while I'm scratching him. A sign that he liked it. Oh my gosh!! I couldn't believe I was touching his soft white belly.

This amazing guy was willing to come back here with me. He LOVES going on vacation. And it was extra special to be just the two of us.

How adorable! He was so nice and just floated while I messed with him and took his picture a million times.

I kept trying to get a shots from the front but it was surprisingly difficult.

Here's my horrible attempt at a selfie. He actually smiles!!

Their noses look hilarious from above the water.

We stayed at an airbnb right on Kings Bay in a lady's transformed boathouse.

Lunch on the deck above with a view of the manatee sanctuary.

I'm ready!! The host even provided wetsuits, a tandum kayak and all the other gear.

We paddled to another area called Hunter Springs and saw a momma and her calf!

Here's how the calf nurses.

I couldn't miss this so I jumped in off the kayak to take a closer look.

What a magical experience! Mom, Dad and babe swimming away together.

Josh and I on the deck at sunset. See the reflection in our shades?

Kidding. Here's the amazing view!!

We saw manatees around as we were paddling in the kayak but not as many as last time at 3 Sisters Spring. Our favorite encounters this visit were in Kings Spring.

The water is a constant cool 72 degrees so we were shivering after a hour or so. Josh did it with no wetsuit. A real man! Ha.

We had a nice dinner one night at a waterfront outdoor patio next door. And for lunch subs at Sea Haggs around the corner. Our host provided breakfast each of the 2 mornings.

I can't wait to come back someday. I bet this place will just get busier as more people discover it exists.

More manatee videos...

Best sleep ever, woke up to this view, looks way too cold to get in.

Thank you Mimi for taking such great care of our precious people while we were gone. The day after we got home was Benny's 10th Birthday!!

I can't believe our baby is 10. Time slow down!

Addy's art project from school, made with pen dots. So awesome!

New Years Trip to Crystal River, FL

I've always wanted to visit Crystal River in the winter, mostly because it's the only place in Florida you can swim with MANATEES!!

On our 1st day, we got all geared up and kayaked to 3 Sisters Spring. It's a manatee sanctuary where they come to warm up during the winter. The roped off areas are where they congregate but luckily for us they come out to play...

This little guy kept messing with the rope. Oh my word, I was so excited to FINALLY be here so close to a real manatee.

LOOK at all of them!!

Benny was the 1st of the kids to get in.

For Christmas I bought myself an underwater camera case. Worth every penny! Not perfect but look at his shot!

Adorable. While I was in the shallow area with these guys Josh was out in darker water with the big boys, and I mean huge, like the size of a small car!

I was told we couldn't touch them, later to find out it was ok with one hand only. NOOOOO! I was so sad I followed the rules.

Extreme close up. Jackson and Addy got in the water too. Jack with no wetsuit. But Aaron didn't get in and later regretted it.

My very favorite part of the day, just before leaving, this little guy kissed my foot! Wow, just wow. He tried to do the same to Josh but he was not having it.

Later in the day we headed to Fort Island Beach.

The kids loved playing in the extra soft, white sand.

Here's what they did with their time. HA!

What a pretty area!

I'm trying to be better about taking pictures of the place we stay because it's a big part of the vacation that I want the kids to remember.

This airbnb was so nice, we loved it. The even provided pancake mix for breakfast.

The next day we were the 1st ones on the river, kayaking at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

This place was beautiful! The water was so clear and we were hoping to see more manatees but didn't.

Josh, what are you doing!? You don't want to know.

After lunch we headed to Caladesi Island State Park near St Petersburg. A rare pic of Aaron planking. We took a boring hike then the kids played in the water and sand.

The next day we went to Gainesville, FL to visit the Lubee Bat Conservatory.

This was one unique experience.

These were the biggest bats I'd ever seen but there wasn't much variety. Creepy!

We stayed at the Gainesville Staybridge Suites for our last night in Florida. The kids got some pool time.

In the evening we visited the University of Florida bat houses at dusk for one amazing event.

Millions of bats leaving for their evening feeding. Notice the line in the background.

We had a special dinner at Bonefish Grill, the kids 1st time. It was a Christmas gift from Grandpa and Grandma Neville. What a treat!

Here's how we fit in a hotel room. Benny's bed is the couch pillows plus extra sheet set.

Addy's in a separate living room on the pull out sofa with her own blanket.

FREE breakfast in the morning before the return trip home.

A special THANK YOU to the Neville's for providing delicious food for our trip including a stop at the Mellow Mushroom Jacksonville on our way down.

Panera sandwiches and smoothies after our kayaking trip.

Donuts from our favorite place in Gainesville.

And the most delicious Smash Burgers and fries on our way home in Columbia, SC.

Carrabas Italian Grill at home.