So we packed up the family and went to upstate NY for Jen’s brother’s wedding. But naturally, we took some extra time to visit with family and friends. Our adventures follow organized by day. Just a fair warning: I am exceptionally long winded and this is going to be a monster post, so I have divided it into 2 separate posts. Here is part one:
Thursday
We were required to get up so early in the morning it doesn’t even qualify as the crack of dawn, because the sun didn’t come up for hours after we were at the airport. We wanted to have enough time to get through security with 2 kids and the various accoutrements that come with 2 children (stroller, 3 backpacks, etc.) so we didn’t have to rush and miss our flight. It was funny that even though we got there so early, after checking in, going through security, and having breakfast we were right on time to board the plane. The kids did really well on the plane rides. They were tired (me too!) and Raymond slept on the plane a little while Beka watched her princess and Dora videos on the portable DVD player. The only time Raymond got a little fussy was when we were landing in Rochester because his ears must have been bothering him. Jen was a trooper as well since she was a little under the weather with a cold and cough. I love traveling with her since she is so organized and laid back (usually…). After we arrived in Rochester we got our rented car with XM radio (I can’t be without my satellite radio after all) and checked into the hotel. Interesting side note- just because the company website says there is a pull out couch in all the suites, doesn’t really mean there really is. Thankfully, I complained and got a rollaway cot for free! It would have been tough to have Beka in the bed with us since she is a fairly violent sleeper and likes to move around a lot more than I am used to.
After we checked in, we then got immediately back on the road to head to the wedding rehearsal. At the church I realized my first issue- there was no air conditioning and the expected high for the wedding day was 92. I was preemptively sweating just thinking about it. The rehearsal went well and even though we started late, we got done fairly quickly. Then came the rehearsal dinner (great, I’m starved!), but first I needed to go try on my tux for wedding since I was a groomsman. Now I had tried to go try it on before the rehearsal (since I was told it would be ready by 4 PM), but alas, it wasn’t ready (“oh no, we wouldn’t have told you 4, it’s always after 6” but that’s not what I was told….). Another interesting side note- just because you send in your measurements, doesn’t mean the tux shop will actually have your size. The tux they provided me to try on was for a man much, much smaller than me. The only thing that fit was the shoes. Why would they think a guy who wears a size 14 shoe would fit into a size 30 waist pant? Seriously, what did they think I was, a clown? Needless to say, they ordered me a new tux which I was supposed to try on the next day. Then I was able to get to the dinner, which was mostly finished and actually eat some food. I scarfed down the BBQ my in-laws had gotten and then proceeded to be eaten alive by mosquitos. Shortly thereafter, I got a gift: a new Miami Dolphins cap embroidered with my name. The hat is made out of wool and is dry clean only. Maybe not so practical for south Alabama, but still awesome. Then we retired to the hotel for some sleep (finally).
Friday
This day started with us getting up with the kids and getting ready to go to the NY state fair. I have been to the fair only once before, right before we moved away, but I had enjoyed it. I knew Beka was going to really enjoy the rides, animals, shows, etc. We got up and drove from Rochester to Syracuse to meet at Jen’s aunt’s house and get our tickets which we bought ahead of time. When we got there we got to see some of Jen’s aunts, uncles, and cousins who I really like and get along with very well. Then we took a shuttle bus to the fair. Beka was in her glory. She loved everything about the fair from the chocolate milk and ice cream to the rides and the circus. In fact, I was so proud of her because she rode a roller coaster all by herself. Now, it was a kiddie roller coaster, but I am no less proud because she was probably the youngest on the ride. They actually had to stop it to let an older kid off who was crying uncontrollably. She also got to ride a camel with Jen. Beka’s appraisal: “it was bumpy Daddy.” Raymond was just along for the ride really. He did very well with napping and not being fussy, but the fair wasn’t really his cup of tea. We ended up staying there much longer than I thought we would, but my in laws were really helpful with the kids so it didn’t really seem like a very long day. I was actually starving on the drive home, but I was so tired I couldn’t eat. That should tell you how tired I actually was. But unfortunately I still had to go to the tux place and pick up my tux for the wedding. They just handed it to me to take, but after my earlier experience I wanted to try it on to make sure it actually fit. It did, albeit the pants were a little long and didn’t have buttons for suspenders, which I like to wear with tuxes and suits.
Stay tuned for part 2!
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