Nana & Papa's Visit Part 2- Land & Sea Park

My trek continues...I will get caught up, I will get caught up, I will get caught up :) I keep telling myself this lie to keep from losing my mind. Continuing Dallas' parent's visit a couple months back...

This was right after Tropical Storm Issac, I believe it was, blew through our neck of the woods. We had some kayakers that were out up above Staniel Cay, and after the storm blew by we needed to go retrieve our boats and gear. We sort of made an impromptu trip up there with the plans to stay overnight and then head a little further north to explore before heading back home the next day. Dallas' grandma flew in the morning we headed up the cays. 

This was her first time through this part of the cays, and Andy & Nancy's first time in a long while. We had fun showing them some of the spots we like to see along the way. 

We were pulling in to Staniel Cay just as the sun was setting and it was so pretty and calm.

I haven't been able to stay at this guest house before, but this is a place where a lot of our guests stay on our guided trips, so I was excited to experience Ms. Viviann's Inn for myself. See our kayaks there waiting to be taken home. 

She let us use the golf cart since the Yacht Club was about a 6 minute walk from where we were :) Gotta save our energy now...but seriously, I think this was a highlight of the trip for the boys. Joss and Emit was so giddy riding in this thing and thought it was so cool!

This one here is blurry, but I couldn't leave Emit's happy face out of the set :) He was adorable riding up front like a big boy. 

We headed to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club for dinner, and it was such a great evening. There was no crowd on the island at all because the storm had just passed through and everyone had cleared out. The boys were little angels, seriously, they behaved so well at dinner and were just eating it up that they were doing something out at night and out of their normal routine. I couldn't have asked them to be better this night. 

It's not super clear, but you get the gist of the little space here. It has lots of character, and is usually our Grand Finale of sorts on our guided sailing expeditions and kayak trips that end in Staniel Cay. 

This night shot below isn't of anything particular I just wanted to try to get a 'night shot'. I was so pleased that I was able to capture (somewhat) the glow of the moon sparkling on the water, some stars and the 'downtown' shot Staniel Cay. YAY!! Baby steps with the camera modes :) 

We had tons of guests outside our room back at the inn, and they got the boys very worked up and excited just before we went inside the room. 

Our room had two twin beds in it, so we decided to each share a bed with the boys. This night Joss wanted to sleep with me, and Emit chose to sleep with Daddy. It was quite the comical evening. At one point Dallas started giggling a little and said, "I think I'm the Little Spoon right now." Because the way Emit was snuggled up next to him. I started laughing and then Joss and Emit started laughing (and they didn't even know why) and then we all caught the giggle bug and couldn't stop laughing :) It was a sweet little family moment!

The next morning we got up and headed up north to the Land & Sea Park so Dallas could show me some of his favorite snorkeling spots. First stop though, was Thunderball!

It is very fun to see how the boys progress each time we come here and what they are capable of. The last time we were all in here Emit wanted nothing to do with putting his face in the water...not so this time around :) 

The exploring never gets old...

Next up, the pigs over on Big Major Spot.

Well, we stopped by to say 'good morning' to the pigs, but they were still sleeping (at least that's our best assessment). Instead, we raced a bit :) 

I just love these boys!

Andy wasn't so sure how the dogs would react to the pigs, so he kept Snorkel (especially) on a tight lease here just in case. 

Ahhhhhhhhh, this is what Exuma is all about :) 

Grandma was such a trooper. We were in the boat for almost two days straight and she never once complained. Well, she offered a suggestion that we should have an obvious waste bin for the trash, but I happen to agree with her on that one :) 

One of Emit's many 'distressed' poses. This was probably because I didn't give him ANOTHER snack right after he just finished one. You know... really dreadful stuff in this three year old's mind. ;)

This is the Sea Aquarium! I was very anxious to get in the water here :) I'd heard lots of great things about it. 

It is not very hard to impress me underwater, I can find things to capture my attention very easily :) 

This was a very pretty spot for sure. Lots to see! The water was still just a bit cloudy from the storm, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't enjoy myself. 

Joss was right on cue with his snorkel squeals too :) I have mentioned that haven't I? How when he has his face in the water and breathing through his snorkel he just squeals and chatters right on into the snorkel. It's so cute, but it also cracks me up that this little guy really does not like to stop talking even when he's underwater :) 

He loves to practice his diving too, and is getting really good at it. 

Trying to touch the Moon Jellyfish. 

We haven't seen many of these since a few summers back when a whole bunch of them came through at once. 

Looks like a bed of fresh new coral growing here :) Yay, should be exciting to see in a few more years. 

My 'Oh-So-Handsome-and-Wonderful-Captain'! My very own Capt. McDreamy :) mwah mwah mwah, I love this man! (Okay, I'll stop, but just for now.)

Johnny Depp's Island-We really love how he has maintained the 'rugged island' feel to his place.

Of course we had to stop by Compass Cay, Andy & Nancy go way back with the folks that run this place. 

When at Compass, swim with the sharks of course :) 

The boys were very excited to get in close to the nurse sharks this time around. The last time we were here they weren't as keen on the idea, but they are brave little munchkins these days. 

The sharks kept hanging out just out of their reach :) 

We had a nice little visit and grabbed some lunch while we were here. 

I love it, I have a few different ages of the boys 'running' on this spot. I need to put them all side-by-side. If they go anywhere, they are running for sure :) 

Preston, Cleo, Andy, Nancy & Grandma

A penny for his thoughts...

Our second chance at the pigs was a success...

They definitely were ready to swim for a bit or eat a bit I guess would be more accurate. The boys and their heads crack me up below. 

Joss loves Jet! Jet is a very sweet dog, and very gentle too. 

Little Emit isn't too 'distressed' here, he's actually smirking at me under the cap :) Little stinker. 

We also got to swim at the sunken airplane. Dallas took a cool little video of me swimming through the plane. It's crazy how spooky that split second feels when you're actually inside the plane. The mind is a funny, funny thing. 

We had a great little trip up to Staniel and back. Couldn't have asked for any of it to have gone any smoother than it did. You'd think this would reinforce the lesson to me that sometimes a little less planning is just as enjoyable! More to come, sooner than later I hope...