Picture Index Page - May 1-11, 2022 - Holt with Grammy & Grampy Visit Family in Central New York

May 1-11, 2022 - Holt with Grammy & Grampy Visit Family in Central New York

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Introduction

Our daughter-in-law, Amanda, and son, Joe A., made plans for their big annual vacation this year (2022) to Costa Rica for 10 days (April 30th to May 10th). This meant we (Grammy and Grampy) would have our grandson, Holt, for that period of time. Grammy suggested to them that maybe we could take this opportunity to bring Holt to Central New York to meet some of Grammy's family for the first time as well as do some fun things for Holt. Amanda and Joe A. agreed that was a great idea and even decided to pay for our flights and rental car and arranged for us to fly out May 1st (the day after they left) and return May 11th (the day after they returned).

As is her talent, Grammy proceeded to make specific plans to visit various family members, bring Holt for 3 days and 2 nights to see Niagara Falls for the first time and spend a day at The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY. She also planned to show Holt our former house in Liverpool, NY where his dad grew up and the elementary school his dad attended.

Aunt Roie (Grammy's sister) and Uncle Paul in Rome, NY graciously offered for us to have their second floor bedroom with king bed and Holt would have his own adjacent bedroom as well. They also agreed to host a visit with our long time good friends, Lorraine and Joe, who drove up from their now home in Southeastern Pennsylvania to see us as well as other of their friends that live in the Syracuse area..Plans were also made for a gathering of some of Grammy's cousins one afternoon at Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house.

Aunt Bernadette (Grammy's sister) and Uncle John in North Syracuse, NY scheduled a wonderful homemade Italian dinner for us and other family members on Mother's Day Sunday.

Uncle Bernie (Grammy's brother and Aunt Bernadette's twin brother) and Aunt Jackie invited the three of us to visit them for breakfast and meet Holt for the first time at their home in Rome, NY, just a few miles from Aunt Rioe's and Uncle Paul's house. They also had us over for another pleasant afternoon relaxing and having some snacks in their back yard.

Also, on our way to the Syracuse Airport from Rome, NY for our flight home, we made some time to visit our friends of almost 50 years, Patty and Steve at their farm home in Kirkville,NY and introduce them to Holt for the first time.

All in all it was a fabulous trip. We all had a great, fun time having Holt meet some of Grammy's family for the first time and seeing the GREAT Niagara Falls for the first time. Holt is such a seasoned traveler that he took everything in stride - the long plane and car rides, the couple of tense travel glitches and meeting new people for the first time. We are so proud of our grandson, Holt, for his exceptionally good behavior and social skills for such a young boy of almost 5 years old (June 17th).

Also, be sure to view the >>> 23 VIDEOS <<< (Especially view Video #21)

Holt, Grammy & Grampy (Cathy & Joe R.)

Click on an image to start a Slide Show with that image.

#1 - April 30, 2022 - While Holt, Grammy and Grampy were gettng ready to fly to Syracuse in Central New York for a 10-day visit (courtesy of Amanda and Joe A.), his parents were flying to Costa Rica for an 11-day vacation and adventure.The purpose of our trip was two-fold, to visit with some of Grammy's relatives and introduce them to our grandson, Holt, for the first time and to show him some fun things in New York and where his Dada grew up and went to elementary school.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#2 - April 30, 2022 - Holt's Momma and Dada starting their 10-day vacation in the beautiful rain forests in Costa Rica.

#3 - May 1, 2022 - We begin our flights, first leg was 45-minutes from Colorado Springs to Denver, then the 3-hour flight from Denver to Syracuse in Central New York.

#4 - May 1, 2022 - Grampy, Grammy and Holt on the 3-hour flight from Denver to Syracuse in Central New York.

#5 - May 1, 2022 - Holt on the 3-hour flight from Denver to Syracuse in Central New York. He is such a seasoned traveler, having many flight hours with his Momma to Illinois to visit some of her relatives and to California to visit some of her friends and see the Pacific Ocean.

#6 - May 1, 2022 - Having arrived in Syracuse International Airport, we had a rental car waiting for us (courtesy of Amanda and Joe A.) and drove first to Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse for a short visit, then onto Rome, NY, where we were staying for most of the 10 nights at Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house.

#7 - May 2, 2022 - After spending the first very comfortable night at Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house, the next day our good friends of over 50 years, Lorraine and Joe, were kind enough to drive up from their home in Southeastern Pennsylvania to visit with us and meet Holt for the first time, as well as visit some of their other friends still living in the area.

#8 - May 4, 2022 - After spending another day relaxing, recuperating from our travels and visiting with Aunt Roie and Uncle Paul, we drove Holt for some fun sightseeing in Niagara Falls, NY, a 200+ mile, 3 1/2 hour drive mostly on the New York State Thruway, a controlled access toll highway, on which the State, in its infinite wisdom decided to renovate or tear down and rebuild ALL the bathrooms at the "rest" stops at the same time! So, no restrooms for most of the 200+ mile trip. Oh, and by the way - it was raining like a deluge, with very limited visibility, all the way from Syracuse to Rochester (be sure to see the video on the Videos Page).Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#9 - May 4, 2022 - Here is our cozy 2-bedroom Air BnB rental house in Niagara Falls, NY just 2 miles from the Falls.

#10 - May 4, 2022 - Holt relaxing and watching TV in the living room of our 2-bedroom Air BnB rental house in Niagara Falls, NY just 2 miles from the Falls.

#11 - May 4, 2022 - This was Holt's bedroom in the rental house. He had two comfy beds to choose from and chose the one on the right.

#12 - May 4, 2022 - This was our bedroom in the rental house with a comfy king size bed.

#13 - May 5, 2022 - Our first full day of sightseeing in Niagara Falls, NY started with a visit to the official Visitor's Center, where we gathered a lot of helpful information and maps from an extremely helpful and enthusiastic young man, and stopped to take the requisite tourist photos.

#14 - May 5, 2022 - Our first full day of sightseeing in Niagara Falls, NY started with a visit to the official Visitor's Center, where we gathered a lot of helpful information and maps from an extremely helpful and enthusiastic young man, and stopped to take the requisite tourist photos.

#15 - May 5, 2022 - Holt gets to see the Niagara River Rapids leading up to the Falls. He was enthralled and amazed by the rushing water and loud noise it made.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#16 - May 5, 2022 - Grammy, in Niagara Falls State Park NY, showing Holt the Niagara Falls for the first time. In the foreground is the American Falls, next up is the Bridal Veil Falls in the U.S. and in the distance is the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and across the river is the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada. The long building at the bank of the river is the very first hydro-electric power plant originally designed and built by Nicola Tesla and George Westinghouse in 1895.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#17 - May 5, 2022 - Holt at Niagara Falls for the first time - a bit squinty because of the bright sun. In the foreground is the American Falls, next up is the Bridal Veil Falls in the U.S. and in the distance is the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and across the river is the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#18 - May 5, 2022 - Holt at Niagara Falls for the first time - solved the squinting with his cool sunglasses.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#19 - May 5, 2022 - Holt looking at Niagara Falls with his cool sunglasses.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#20 - May 5, 2022 - Holt telling Grammy: "I want to go to those big falls in the distance." She had to explain to him that they are in a different country, Canada, and they do not want us going over there right now.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#21 - May 5, 2022 - Holt enjoying the cool mist and beautiful sights of Niagara Falls.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#22 - May 5, 2022 - Holt, one cool guy, at beautiful Niagara Falls.

#23 - May 5, 2022 - Grammy and Holt enjoying the cool mist and beautiful sights of Niagara Falls, while having some snacks.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#24 - May 5, 2022 - Grampy and Holt enjoying the cool mist and beautiful sights of Niagara Falls, while having some snacks.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#25 - May 5, 2022 - Grammy and Holt enjoying a cool ice cream cone at a stop on our walk back to the car from Niagara Falls. For a change of pace, Holt chose strawberry ice cream for the very first time and finished every bit, including the cone. No, Grammy is not having two! She is holding Grampy's maple walnut cone. These were SMALLS, BTW!

#26 - May 5, 2022 - Just a few blocks away from the Falls, we stopped to visit the Aquarium of Niagara, where Holt got immersed in the experience.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#27 - May 5, 2022 - At the Aquarium of Niagara, Holt got a personalized presentation all about the Helmet Crab.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

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#28 - May 7, 2022 - After returning from our 3-day / 2-night stay at Niagara Falls, we drive back to Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house in Rome, NY, and on Saturday we took Holt on a short 34-minute drive to Chittenango, NY to see the Wild Animal Park.

#29 - May 7, 2022 - A panoramic view of the entrance to The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#30 - May 7, 2022 - Holt and Grammy at one of our first stops in The Wild Animal Park, feeding the camels.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#31 - May 7, 2022 - Who's the coolest monkey?

#32 - May 7, 2022 - Who's the happiest monkey?

#33 - May 7, 2022 - The African Penguins at The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#34 - May 7, 2022 - Here's a cool dude at the African Penguins at The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#35 - May 7, 2022 - Holt watching the African Penguins swimming at The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#36 - May 7, 2022 - Holt watching the African Penguins swimming at The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#37 - May 7, 2022 - A very happy Holt after our train ride around the pond at The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango, NY.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#38 - May 7, 2022 - After a fun-filled visit to tThe Wild Animal Park, we return to Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house in Rome, NY, where Holt on the couch in their family room with our iPad using the educational ABC Mouse App.

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#39 - May 8, 2022 - On Mother's Day Sunday, we were invited with other family members to dinner at Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse, NY, a 47 -minute drive from Rome. We left a bit early to have some time to show Holt the house where his Dada grew up in Liverpool, NY and the elementary school he attended.

#40 - May 8, 2022 - 4957 Grapewood Lane, the house where Holt's Dada grew up in Liverpool, NY. This is the house we moved from when we moved to Colorado Springs in the beginning of Joe A.'s freshman year of high school in October 1995.

#41 - May 8, 2022 - 4957 Grapewood Lane, the house where Holt's Dada grew up in Liverpool, NY.

#42 - May 8, 2022 - The back of the house where Holt's Dada grew up in Liverpool, NY. At the far end of the back is the open air screened in porch I built with the great help of a couple of our close friends, John R. and Joe P.

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#43 - May 8, 2022 - We then drove the short 6-minutes from the house at 4957 Grapewood Lane to Bear Road Elementary School where Holt's Dada went.

#44 - May 8, 2022 - Bear Road Elementary School in Liverpool, NY, where Holt's Dada went.

#45 - May 8, 2022 - Bear Road Elementary School in Liverpool, NY, where Holt's Dada went.

#46 - May 8, 2022 - Bear Road Elementary School in Liverpool, NY, where Holt's Dada went.

#47 - May 8, 2022 - Bear Road Elementary School in Liverpool, NY, where Holt's Dada went.

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#48 - May 8, 2022 - We then took the short 7-minute drive from Bear Road Elementary School in Liverpool, NY to Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse, NY for a lovely Italian Mother's Day dinner with family.

#49 - May 8, 2022 - A wonderful Italian Mother's Day dinner with family at Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse, NY. Clockwise from the bottom: Grampy's place (taking photo), Grammy, Holt, Aunt Roie, Uncle Paul, Uncle John, Aunt Bernadette, Marie (Uncle John's sister), Genelle (AuntRoie's daughter), Kaygen (Genelle's son).Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#50 - May 8, 2022 - Holt chowing down on scrumptious Columbus Italian bread and the delicious cavatelli and homemade sauce prepared by Aunt Bernadette.

#51 - May 8, 2022 - On the porch of Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse, NY.Front row: Abby (Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's dog) and Holt,Middle row: Aunt Roie, Aunt Bernadette, Grammy, Genelle (AuntRoie's daughter), Kaygen (Genelle's son).Back row: Uncle Paul, Uncle John, Grampy.

#52 - May 8, 2022 - On the porch of Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse, NY.The three sisters: Aunt Bernadette, Aunt Roie and Grammy.

#53 - May 8, 2022 - On the porch of Aunt Bernadette's and Uncle John's house in North Syracuse, NY.Three cousins: Kaygen (Genelle's son), Holt, Genelle (AuntRoie's daughter).

#54 - May 9, 2022 - In the dining room of Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house in Rome, NY, a gathering of cousins:Clockwise from bottom middle: Grammy, Aunt Roie, Uncle John, Aunt Bernadette, (missing Cousin Gene), Cousin Debbie (Gene's wife), Cousin Patrick, Cousin Linda (Patrick's sister), Uncle Paul, Cousin Chris (Linda's husband).

#55 - May 9, 2022 - In the family room of Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house in Rome, NY, Holt gives a gift box of chocolates from a factory we visited on our way back from Niagara Falls to Uncle John and Aunt Bernadette.

#56 - May 10, 2022 - We visit Uncle Bernie (Aunt Bernadette's twin brother) and his wife, Aunt Jackie in their back yard in Rome, NY, just a few miles from Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house.

#57 - May 10, 2022 - Holt, Grammy, Uncle Bernie (Aunt Bernadette's twin brother) and his wife, Aunt Jackie in their back yard in Rome, NY, just a few miles from Aunt Roie's and Uncle Paul's house.

#58 - May 10, 2022 - Holt devouring some delicious penne pasta and sauce at a farewell dinner, courtesy of Aunt Roie and Uncle Paul, at the Franklin Hotel Restaurant just walking distance from their house in Rome, NY.

#59 - May 11, 2022 - On the way to Syracuse Airport for our flight back home, we stop for a short visit to see our good friends of almost 50 years, Steve and Patty, at their farm home in Kirkville, NY. Steve, Holt and Grammy in front of their "barn" and personal business office.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#60 - May 11, 2022 - Inside Steve's and Patty's house, at their farm home in Kirkville, NY, Holt visits with their dog, Link.Be sure to watch the videos on the VIDEOS PAGE.

#61 - May 11, 2022 - At Syracuse International Airport, while waiting for our flight back home, Holt wanted to see this exhibit of the cockpit of a Boeing 727.

#62 - May 11, 2022 - At Syracuse International Airport, Holt in this exhibit of the cockpit of a Boeing 727.

#63 - May 11, 2022 - At Syracuse International Airport, Holt in this exhibit of the cockpit of a Boeing 727.

#64 - May 11, 2022 - At Syracuse International Airport, Holt in pilot's seat of this exhibit of the cockpit of a Boeing 727. Future pilot?

#65 - May 11, 2022 - At Syracuse International Airport, Holt in pilot's seat of this exhibit of the cockpit of a Boeing 727. Seems to be REALLY enjoying it! Future pilot?

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