Back home.
Thursday, sithlet and I did some final shopping, then headed to the airport. We met my mom and my brother's family, flew down to Orlando, rented cars, and got to our hotel.
Friday, my mom and I drove back to the airport to see if anyone had found her mobile phone, but no luck. We went back, gave Kieran his Xmas gift (a digital video camera -- man, he was happy!), picked everyone up, and drove to Port Canaveral.
Lots of lines, and a moment of panic when I could not find my passport. I ran back to the car and found that it had fallen between the seats. After some Ugly American Douchebaggery that almost ended in me punching some asshole, we eventually got onto the ship (the smallest one in the fleet, and it's still only three feet smaller than the Titanic), found our cabins, and headed upstairs to grab a bite to eat.
We got pizza and ice cream, and were sitting next to a window when we noticed that the ship was moving! sithlet and I grabbed the kids and ran outside on deck to check out the canal. The highlight for me was seeing NASA's SRB Recovery Vehicles.
By the time we were out in the ocean, it was time to get dressed for dinner. We met in front of our dining room and were seated. Our waiter was wonderful, especially with the kids. Had one of the best steaks I've ever had in my life.
After dinner, sithlet and I signed up for a historical tour of Nassau for the next day, then hit the main theater for the "Love and Marriage Show" (a Newlywed Game knockoff). We ended up being cast in the show as one of the couples. The eventual winners were a couple who had been married for 10 years, but we loved the couple who had been married 51 years (and were from Austin!). The ship gave us a copy of the show on DVD, so we'll probably have a viewing party sometime soon.
We didn't stay up too late, and fell asleep pretty quickly, due to the gentle rocking of the ship.
More later...
Friday, my mom and I drove back to the airport to see if anyone had found her mobile phone, but no luck. We went back, gave Kieran his Xmas gift (a digital video camera -- man, he was happy!), picked everyone up, and drove to Port Canaveral.
Lots of lines, and a moment of panic when I could not find my passport. I ran back to the car and found that it had fallen between the seats. After some Ugly American Douchebaggery that almost ended in me punching some asshole, we eventually got onto the ship (the smallest one in the fleet, and it's still only three feet smaller than the Titanic), found our cabins, and headed upstairs to grab a bite to eat.
We got pizza and ice cream, and were sitting next to a window when we noticed that the ship was moving! sithlet and I grabbed the kids and ran outside on deck to check out the canal. The highlight for me was seeing NASA's SRB Recovery Vehicles.
By the time we were out in the ocean, it was time to get dressed for dinner. We met in front of our dining room and were seated. Our waiter was wonderful, especially with the kids. Had one of the best steaks I've ever had in my life.
After dinner, sithlet and I signed up for a historical tour of Nassau for the next day, then hit the main theater for the "Love and Marriage Show" (a Newlywed Game knockoff). We ended up being cast in the show as one of the couples. The eventual winners were a couple who had been married for 10 years, but we loved the couple who had been married 51 years (and were from Austin!). The ship gave us a copy of the show on DVD, so we'll probably have a viewing party sometime soon.
We didn't stay up too late, and fell asleep pretty quickly, due to the gentle rocking of the ship.
More later...