Maybe it’s because I remember when my kids were this age, but, I usually feel a little nervous before photographing families with young children. So, before David and Summer’s family session, I prayed God would give us ‘just a few’ photos that would bring their family joy.
Exactly how it should be with children this age, our session was, in fact, non-stop. (Summer even told me that after our session, she and David agreed they’d be happy if we just got ONE photograph!)
Before uploading their images the next day, my Bible reading plan was from Matthew 14 where the fish were prayed over and, as a result, multiplied. After I finished my quiet time and began to go through David and Summer’s session, I quickly realized God DID answer my prayer! Not only did He give us ‘just a few’ photos, He multiplied the images so much, it took me double the editing and posting time that it normally does!
I am NOT saying that a miracle was done inside my Nikon camera! However, it DID make me SMILE as I went through a surplus of sweet, family moments!
Our wonderful tour guide, Jess, gave us a behind-the-scene tour of, not only all the popular exhibits, but the hidden, inside-systems it takes to run the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
Some of our favorite spots were: veterinary clinic, kitchen, the crane (used to bring in the whale sharks), security systems, filtration room and a top-view of Ocean Voyager’s 6.3 million gallons of water!
As our night tour wrapped-up, we were given our assigned sleeping area. I knew all of the possible sleeping spots probably had excellent views, but I WANTED TO CRY ‘was THRILLED‘ when our guide lead our family into the “Ocean Voyager” TUNNEL!
This is the only place in North America you can even SEE the largest type of fish in the world (whale shark), much less SLEEP with them swimming ABOVE you!
To say this was a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ would be an understatement! Looking up at God’s creation, surrounded by my family, was a moment I hope to never, ever forget!
We woke-up bright and early to get a head-start on MORE private, behind-the-scenes tours. We saw handlers interacting with the animals, scuba divers cleaning the tanks, whale sharks being fed and penguins eating fish out of a trainer’s hand.
As the general public started filling the building, our ‘official‘ time was over. But that didn’t mean we had to leave! As part of the admission, we were able to continue to enjoy the aquarium as long as we’d like the second day. My family decided to enjoy the 4-D theater experience, ‘Dolphin Tales’ show, walrus show and explore the aquarium once MORE!
Our family’s DNA must have traces of grease, because, without fail, everything we do seems to either begin or end with a trip to The Varsity. (Because of shared bathrooms and small, contained sleeping areas, we took the ‘safe’ route and choose to eat here AFTER our sleep-over party!)
Here’s a super short video of some of the ‘behind the scene’ tours we got to experience!
Many have asked how much an experience like this costs. My super, duper, sweet and thoughtful parents purchased this for us, but the website currently list this as $100.95 per person for non-members.
Although it IS a big investment, I can’t even begin to describe how INCREDIBLE it was! It would be an EXCELLENT birthday or Christmas present! Personally, I’d be willing to skip a few less expensive trips in exchange for something as AWESOME as this! In other words, find a EXCUSE‘reason’ to GO!
I tried to take underwater photos in our neighborhood pool. But, my photos were cluttered with random hair strands, murky water and unidentified toes from random kids.
So as I sat by my friend’s gorgeous, backyard pool, I only dreamed of taking photographs in her oasis- surrounded by colorful flowers and big, stringing lights.
I asked. She said yes! I tried to get Ross to wake-up, but he wanted to sleep in. I took an insane amount of photos and HAD TO DELETE 99% OF THEM ALL‘got a few’ that made me smile!
These are so cool! And Ruthie looks like she could be an underwater model! She looks so natural under water!
MichellehemrichAugust 19, 2021 - 9:34 pm
I love this so much!!! Look at Rayna and all her hair!!! My favorite is the one where her toes are almost touching the bottom and the ends of her hair are at the top.
Yes, it’s highly possible that I tried to squeeze in too much during our National Parks Family Trip. But now that we’re home and well-rested, I’m so thankful we got to experience so much of God’s beauty.
So good friends!! Summer you look beautiful!