We decided to leave Albany for Oswego on Monday (12/23). After an uneventful ride we met Uncle Danny, Aunt Becky and Jake, along with Grandma and PopPop at Canale's for dinner. We went back to my parents' house and opened all of the wonderful gifts from them. Ellie and Evan were so excited!!!! The next day was Christmas Eve and we hung out until mass at Our Lady in Minetto. It was cold and blustery in Oswego!! We decided to go to Syracuse and stay in a hotel so we didn't have to wake up so early for our flight the next morning. WELL...it snowed (HARD) the entire way to Liverpool. I grew up with snow and I still think it was awful. We finally made it to the hotel where we met up with Tommy.
The next day we got up early and made it to the airport with no problems. Despite almost missing our connecting flight, we made it safely to The Bahamas around 3pm. It was hard to imagine that it was actually Christmas Day!
As soon as we entered the airport in Nassau, a man came over to us and asked for our passports so we could bypass the long line. Having two exhausted looking children does have its perks :) By this time I already felt the vertigo coming on strong. I think I get it from the different pressure in the plane. Katie met up with us and a taxi was arranged to take us with Dad driving the rental car (on the left side of the road!). The taxi was rickety and the car seats barely buckled in, but alas we made it to our villa safely.
Walking to the beach reminded me of the movie Stargate. One moment, you are in the normal world, the next you are in a different place unlike any other. The water there was the most beautiful color- even more surreal than Hawaii's water. The sand was pure and so soft. We did try to swim but after being slammed by a wave I decided to not go in the water when there were large waves! (Something about sand in my hair and mouth....)
We spent most of our time at the pool or beach. My parents and sibs were generous with their time and let James and I relax while they watched the curious little kiddos. Ellie loved going to the pool because there was an inflatable "Shamu" that she named "Foofa". Evan absolutely enjoyed himself in the pool as well.
On Saturday, Tommy arranged for us to go on a snorkel adventure. I was excited because I love being under water looking at fish...but I should have really thought about the fact that there was a boat that took us out to sea...a boat...I get car sick on the way to the store if I'm not driving!!!! Within minutes both Katie and I were sea sick. We both rented wetsuits and I was getting claustrophobic in mine, but I didn't want to be cold so I kept it on. At the first stop, we got in the water (I thought that this would make the sea sick feeling go away) but the water was choppy so I was bobbing up and down there as well. I thought I died and went to hell. It was the worst feeling to be A. out of control and B. in a tight wetsuit C. sea sick! I tried to enjoy the fish and even a plane wreck that was used in one of the Jaws films but I had enough and got back on the boat. After I took the wet suit off it got better, but I was still feeling really sick and trying not to puke. The second stop was much more fun and the water less choppy. People were feeding the fish so schools of fish were swimming around us. It truly was a beautiful experience. The third stop (still feeling sea sick) was to feed the sharks. I can't recall the type of shark but some of them were pretty big!! Tommy, James and Katie went in and held a rope so that they could see the sharks being fed. I decided that I needed both of my hands and arms, thankyouverymuch, and would rather be on a boat going up and down up and down. (Just thinking of it now I'm feeling the motion. UGH). Even though I was so sick, it was a snorkel trip that I am glad we took, and I thank my parents for paying :)
Atlantis (the resort) was right near our villa and so one night we went over to explore. After dark, the guards go away and anyone can walk through the underground aquarium called The Dig. It was so beautiful that the next night we went back, this time with Ellie and my parents. How cool it must've been through Ellie's eyes!!! If you ever get the chance to get to Atlantis, make sure you go down at night.
The next day was my birthday and time to leave. It was sad to part with Katie, but we hope to see her soon (and there is always Skype!). We made it to Syracuse (with only one major baby freak out on the plane). It was then so hard to part with my parents and Tommy. Ellie asked the entire ride back to Albany why we weren't going to Oswego with them!!
So here we are, there and back again. Another adventure for the books. We are so fortunate that my parents include us in their travels and that Tommy plans it out to the smallest detail!!
I am working on getting videos and pictures posted now!!! Thanks for reading.
xxooL
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