Our Christmas trip, the final chapter.
Touching down at the Buffalo airport just shortly after our scheduled landing time (not sure why we were a tad behind schedule
..thats a first for us when flying Jetblue), we were off the plane in no time flat. We gathered our luggage, beckoned the shuttle, and stepped out into the frosty air.
Cue the loud moans, groans, and whining here.
Arriving back at the hotel, we discovered the truck buried in a heap of snow. Sensing it would be a while before we were on the road, I sent Jake into the hotel to gather the package that we had ordered before we left, but that hadnt arrived by the time we left for our flight to Orlando (we advised the front desk staff that it would be arriving shortly after our departure, and they promised to keep it safe until we got home). Steve set to the task of clearing the mounds of snow off the Journey, and me? Well, I did the good motherly and wifely duty of tending to our caffeine requirements and went to purchase us all a Tim Hortons coffee and donut (ahhhhh
the comforts of home
nothing like the welcoming aroma of a Timmies double-double).
Eventually Steve emerged with snow-free truck and frozen fingers. We loaded the luggage (and Jakes Christmas box from the front desk) and were on our way.
After our amazing border crossing en route to Buffalo, we had high hopes for this crossing as well. Unfortunately, luck wasnt with us the second time around, and we were shocked to see the line-up for customs backed up right across the Rainbow Bridge and through the toll booth. Well, I guess this would take a while. And darn it all, I had to use the loo. Ag-oh-nee.
I must say, the view of the Falls from the Rainbow Bridge is quite a sight to see. But not when you have to pee
..all that water, rushing over the falls
..well, it made me have to pee more. Doh!
Making it finally to a border agent after about a 50 minute wait in the line (they seemed to be checking EVERYONES trunks), the female guard chatted endlessly with us about our getaway (Steve joked afterward that either she was really, really trying to see if our story changed as the questions continued, or she was looking for tips and advice for her own family next season
.she asked us everything from how the weather was to if we missed our families while we were away to what kind of deals we found at the outlet malls
..very odd questions, but happily easy to answer!). Surprisingly, she never even asked to see inside the hatch of the truck, even with Jakes unopened brown UPS shipment sitting in full view on the seat.
Thankfully for my bulging bladder, our Niagara Falls hotel was just a short drive from the Falls themselves. We dashed into the Best Western Cairn Croft on Lundys Lane to check in, use the loo, then decided to grab a nice dinner before settling in for the night. We were reaching the point of travellers weariness where we knew if we stopped, wed be stopped for the night.
A Falls favourite of ours is the Italian establishment, Mick & Angelos (as seen on Man v. Food). Just a block or two from the Cairn Croft, we were there in a matter of minutes and seated immediately. We enjoyed a delicious (and quiet) meal together, rather subdued but not in a bad way (more like a comfortable, contented way). Between being so very tired and that its good to be home feeling (yes, I know we werent truly home yet, but we were back on Canadian soil), I think we were all rather reflective in our thoughts. I didnt even take any photos.
Following dinner, it was back to the hotel to check out our room.
We were assigned accomodations which bordered the courtyard and gave us this view from our window:
The courtyard was very nice, and well equipped for families. There was a large pool:
The hot tubs (there were two) were at the far end of the pool. There was a large games and play area:
And a sunken garden to relax in.
As you can see, these photos are mostly those which I took the following morning, as the light was subdued on our evening arrival meaning those pictures didnt turn out quite as crisp. Here's one of the courtyard by night:
Jake anxiously tore into his Christmas box which contained his much-anticipated order from Champs Sports. What can I say
he loves his shoes. Hes the girl Ill never have!!
Unfortunately for us, we had Foulmouthed Reggae and Rap Man and his loud, obnoxious family next door to us. During the course of the night, we had to call not once, not twice, but THREE times to ask the front desk to please, please, PLEASE send someone to shut him (and his music) up. Honestly, it was horrible (and the language
.OMG). Not much sleep that night, unfortunately
. Lets just say the front desk staff did not ask how our stay was when we checked out. Sigh.
The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast in bed (I married a wonderful man
.he made an early morning run in the cold and the snow to grab the boy his favourite breakfast, and his dear wife her precious coffee), a period of the World Junior game, then we were on the road home.
Arriving shortly after noon, we had lots of time to unload the luggage, wash the laundry, take down the Christmas tree, and make peace with the cat (okay, that took longer than an afternoon, but I am pleased to confirm she has FINALLY forgiven us).
And that, my friends, is the end.
Thanks for sharing in our memories
.
We *are* very blessed 
. No matter what happens, I never try to lose sight of what's really important.
..... that's just my silly sense of humour rearing its ugly head!)
. For the END of August! 
Hokey smokes, talk about being in demand!!!
Thats right, I was poised to beat the boys for the second time in one trip!!! (for anyone who doubts that Christmas is the season for miracles, this proves it conclusively) . The boys were smugly relieved. I was heartbroken. Alas, life goes on, I took more pictures, and the guys pretended to be so sorry that I suffered such an unfortunate fate. Yeah, okay
.
.
) and then we were back to the Residence Inn to do a little organizing and packing. While we normally spend our last evening of vacation doing all the dirty work of getting ready to go home, that wouldnt be the case tonight. We had special plans, and the boys were might excited. As a special Christmas gift for my basketball-loving duo, I had purchased tickets to the Orlando Magic/Toronto Raptors game at the Amway Center! 
14 rows from the court, we should be able to smell the sweat 
. 
) why we LOVE Jetblue 
:
C'mon, August!! 
