Snorkeling with the Manatees!

Matt and I left the kids with Grandma Wendy and Papa John and went down to Crystal River, Florida!

It was a short weekend, but FILLED with activities!  We had an incredible time.  My mother bought us Groupon discount passes for all 6 of us that went (Kara, Ricardo, Mom, Sandie, Matt and me) to snorkel with the manatees.  Matt and I missed the kids a lot, but thankfully we were able to FaceTime with them a couple of times.

Early morning, 7:30, we got to the dock to get suited up and head out to swim with the manatees!  I REALLY recommend this place if you want to snorkel with the manatees.  Our "captain" found the manatees right away!  (The company is SnorkelWithManatees.com 352.257.8687) 

My mom 

The little shop where we signed in and got our wet suits!

Getting skins and wet suits on

About to head out

In the water!

Sandie

Me, Ricardo, Kara

Lookin' below at a manatee

Such beautiful and gentle creatures.  It is a shame how often these guys get hit by boats.  I didn't see a single manatee that didn't have a scar.

Matt

These guys would surface every few minutes for air and then sink back down to feed on the bottom.  This guy was under me and I was telling the boat's captain where they were located when all of a sudden he/she surfaced and startled me.  We all got to pet a manatee!!