Sea World and our Little Celebrity

While in California we couldn't leave without visiting one of our favorite places.....SEAWORLD. We had a big group (13 of us) and for the most part we were able to stay together and see all of the shows that we wanted to see. Tyler and Austin got to feed fish to the harbor seals and sea lions. They were a little grossed out to touch the fish but after the first one it didn't seem so bad.






Tyler wanted to see the sting rays and the starfish. He even got to hold a starfish. He stills talk about that!!





The Shamu show was a highly anticpated event for the kids (and adults too)! As we were walking into the stadium before the show started one of the trainers came up to Austin and asked him if he wanted to be in the Shamu show. I think all the adults said "YES" before he even got a chance to answer! I don't think Austin had any idea what he was being asked to do. After the show photographer got a photo of Austin and the release forms were signed they had a special place in the stadium just for us. The seats were really good and they were able to accommodate all 13 of us. We couldn't wait for Austin to make his debut!!! About 15 minutes into the show the trainer, Robin, called Austin out of the audience and had him come down by the tank. At this point we were cheering and clapping for our little celebrity. He fed Shamu (actually threw the fish at Shamu, he wasn't about to put his hand anywhere near his mouth), and then was able to touch Shamu's fin. He told us later that it felt slippery, wet and hard. Robin, the trainer, asked Austin who he came to see at Sea World and of course he said "SHAMU!!!" He was able to stay by the tank for the remainder of the show and his picture was up on the big TV screens they had there. It was super cool.








Whenever Austin tells people that he got to touch Shamu almost every adult says, "That was my dream when I was a little kid, I'm so jealous of you Austin." He loved every minute of it. He also got a pendant (from the trainer) made out of wood in the shape of a whale's tail. The inscription on the back reads " Any thing's possible when you believe!" Robin June 13, 2008"




As we spent the remainder of the day at the park there were people coming up to Austin because they recognized him from the Shamu show. It was fun!!! Everyone had a great time and it was fun to spend time together as a family.