Inconceivables: Oh, Florida

Yup, Florida. We went because of a conference for Bryan's work in Orlando and a few days afterwards he also got the chance to get a new magnetic nose as long as he agreed to be the guinea pig for some anaplastologists who were teaching the technique at a conference in Tampa. In between the two commitments we were able to squeeze in a visit to Norm and Diana, our Jewish Fairy God-parents in Miami. It was pretty exciting in that Pearl became very sick during the trip and had us pretty worried. But she came back alive and well, so it turned out ok.

Bry's conference happened to be in Seaworld, so the first day while Pearl was still well, we went! Here Pearl is standing at the baby stingray tank. I got to touch and feed the big ones and Pearl thought that was hillarious.

Pearl absolutely loved the penguin exhibit, so we went through twice. Then I played one of those carnival games for her afterwards so she could have a stuffed penguin to play with. She walked it around and talked to it for quite a while.

Bry joined us after his conference was over and we saw the dolphins frolick and were able to touch them! They had all these scrapes and cuts along their backs so I naturally thought that people had tried to scratch and cut them, but I later found out that dolphins are like puppies and like to nip and bite each other for fun. Wo.

I was pretty psyched about the manitees too because they are so disporportunate. Tiny heads and fins but HUGE bodies. They were eating lettuce. This one weighs 2,500 pounds!

At Diana and Norm's house in Diana's backyard.

Diana had a way with Pearl.

We spent a lot of time in the hotel since Pearl was sick most of the time. We got really familiar with the TV. Luckily the hotel staff cleaned up a lot of the puke messes, which was a huge bonus.

While in Tampa for Bry's nose, we were able to drop by NCECA (a National Ceramic Organization) to see Dad Burningham in his element. He introed us to his compadres and we got to see the awesome ceramic show that was going on. Dad couldn't resist chasing Pearl around a bit. She loved it ofcourse.