In February, the boys and I tagged along with Curt to a radiology conference at Atlantis, the much-advertised resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The timing couldn't have been more perfect with the conference overlapping with Presidents' Day, so the boys' schools were already out of session for 2 1/2 days. We stayed at The Reef, which is set away from the main resort area and has a private beach. The weather was sunny and warm (upper 70's-lower 80's)--simply gorgeous! Plus, two other radiologists from Springfield and their families with kids of similiar ages attended the same conference, which made the vacation even more fun. The following photos (tons of them, I know!) were taken by us, our friends, or professionals at the resort.
 |
| Aerial view of Atlantis (at least part of it)--The Reef is the tall hotel in the back. |
Views from the balcony of our suite...
On our first full day, we spent the morning at the beach before Curt had to go to meetings.
 |
| Cole (sitting) and Ethan playing in the sand |
After lunch, the kids enjoyed the Splashers Kids Pool--a favorite!
 |
| Cole hopping over the slides |
On our walk to dinner, the kids stopped for a photo on the throne of Atlantis.
 |
| Caden and Olivia |
 |
| Cole and Ethan |
We had to walk through the shopping area and casino to get to dinner. Cole was thrilled to see a store named after him.
After dinner at Carmine's (a family-style Italian restaurant), the kids had fun dancing and playing along with a street band.
 |
| Cole |
 |
| Caden and Cole (I just tried not to think about head lice and enjoy the moment!) |
 |
| Sleepy Kieran wanted a turn too. |
We walked through The Dig, an aquarium at the Royal Towers on the way back to the hotel.
 |
| Olivia, Caden, and Cole checking out the flat, shiny fish |
 |
| Caden and Olivia |
We started our second day at Grotto Pool after a long (but necessary) wait at Starbucks.
 |
| Caden (who didn't really need his life jacket in this pool, but he felt better with it) and Olivia |
 |
| Cole (floating) and Ethan |
After meeting up with the dads, we headed over to the slides at the Mayan Temple.
 |
| Caden, Olivia, Cole, and Ethan watching the sharks swim around the Serpent Slide |
 |
| The scuba diver asked Cole if he wanted to join him in the shark tank. Cole respectfully declined. |
 |
| That's Caden and Curt in the tube finishing the Serpent Slide. |
 |
| Curt going down the Leap of Faith |
 |
| Cole and Ethan waiting for Caden and Joe to compete on the Challenger Slides |
 |
| Caden is on the left and seems to be in second place. |
Back to the Splashers Kids Pool...
 |
| Cole and Caden |
 |
| Caden (in black) getting splashed by the big water bucket |
 |
| Cole enjoying the pool |
 |
| Cole and Ethan taking a break for stickers and snacks |
 |
| Kieran's afternoon nap location |
Back to the beach...
 |
| Caden working on his sand castles and tide pool |
 |
| Cole gathering very wet sand |
 |
| Cole walking on the slimy rocks |
 |
| Cole enjoying the balcony before dinner at Chop Stix |
Day 3...
 |
| Cole, Caden, and Ethan patiently waiting to hit the pool |
Our first stop was the Mayan Temple Pool.
 |
| Caden (in blue) and Cole (in green) |
 |
| Cole having fun on the water slides |
 |
| Caden |
 |
| Not only does Cole have a store named after him, but he has a palm tree named after him too. (Look closely) |
After our morning at the Mayan Temple Pool, we headed to Dolphin Cay (pronounced "key") to hang out with the dolphins. With the boys' young ages, we opted for the shallow water interaction this time. So cool!
 |
| In our wetsuits and ready |
 |
| Our dolphin was Tamara, who was 27 years old. Kieran was VERY unsure of getting so close to a dolphin, but he thought it was cool to toss a ball to Tamara. |
During our turn with Tamara, we each got to give her a kiss and hug. Plus, we taught her a trick.
 |
| Caden taught Tamara to bob her head when he pumped his fist. |
 |
| Cole reeled Tamara in like he was fishing. |
 |
| Tamara thought Curt deserved a splash after his kiss. |
 |
| Amazed to be touching a dolphin! |
 |
| The boys thought this lily pad area was pretty. |
Photos on the beach before dinner at Mesa Grill
 |
| Ethan, Cole, Olivia, and Caden |
 |
| Our family |
Our last full day of fun and sun
 |
| Cole and Ethan enjoyed the small slides at the Ripples Kids Pool. |
While Caden and the dads went on water slides, the rest of us walked over to the lagoon.
 |
| Olivia, Ethan, Cole, and Kieran |
 |
| Cole and Olivia watching sting rays |
 |
| Cole back to water sliding--LOVED them! |
 |
| Caden loved the water slides too. He was lucky enough to go on some of the big water slides with Curt and Joe since he is over 48 inches tall. Cole will have to wait until next time to try the bigger slides. |
 |
| Kieran had so much fun in the water--walking around, splashing, dumping water, and going down the small slides. |
 |
| Happy water baby! |
