Happy Birthday Jesus

Merry Christmas to All

Happy Birthday!

What a Dog!

Our sweet Bailey had another birthday.  We aren't sure how many more she will have, but she's still smiling.

Birds of a Feather...

Our Chickens...

The baby chicks grew up and moved out!  They have a very cute house in the back yard and a fenced in play area still in the works.  Our six chicks turned out to be five ladies and one gent.  "Pansy" (Glen's chicken) being the gent and what a beautiful boy he is!  We average four eggs a day and love hanging out with them in the yard.

Halloween Documented!

Finally!

Yes, we did have Halloween and dressed up for it as well, the blogging has just taken a back seat to life!

Our theme for the year 2011: The Four Seasons

Autum or Fall (Notice the black eye from his "fall", Hee, Hee!)

Spring (Her dress is an "up-side-down Tulip.)

Winter (Our very own Frosty the Snowman.)

Summer (The Blazing Sun!)

 

It would have been fun to complete the picture with Mother Nature and Father Time, but someone is a costume party pooper!  He did win an award anyhow... 

"Hunkiest Costume, You're more than just a pretty face!"

Happy Belated Halloween!

Ireland: Day18, Home!

The prize for surviving 20 1/2 hours of travel, chasing the sun around the earth is...ten loads of laundry, an answering machine with an urgent blinking red light and a pile of mail hiding bills and notices of all kinds, not to mention family pets doing the happy dance!

It was worth every minute of lost sleep and the catching up required upon return!

With less than a week to get ready for the start of school and other responsibilities waiting in the wings, we jumped right back in.  Some of us took a day or two to overcome the jet-lag... 

Sixteen days of international travel upon one of God's most beautiful creations, filled with the most captivating people, leaning the most intriguing tales and heart wrenching histories, was the blessing of a lifetime!  If I am ever so blessed to return one day I will be overjoyed to revisit some of my favorite places and excited to explore the ones I missed.

But, as always, it's good to be HOME!

Ireland: Days 11-15, Shopping, Family, Kilmainham Gaol

The last few days were spent in Belfast, visiting parks, shopping, and spending quality time with family.

Papa took Glen and the kids to this lovely park, Lagan Valley Regional Park a couple mornings while Granny and I took care of domestic issues at the apartment. 

More of Ireland's fun and unusual playground toys. 

Saturday morning we traveled downtown to St. George's Market (a collection of vendors with art, jewelry, books, food, and other random items to sell) and Victoria's Square ( a newer modern shopping mall with all the brand name stores).  When the parking meters ran out, so did my shopping time! 

It's just like the old days with street performers and hats to collect money. 

Sunday we went to church in another small branch, the Antrim Branch.  I have never laughed so hard (all internally) as I did at this Relief Society meeting.  The lesson was on eternal marriage and at least half our numbers (12-15 total) weren't quite sure they wanted their husbands for all eternity, found marital bickering exciting, and had a smart answer for everything else.  It was all done with the witty Irish sense of humor and brought a smile to my face!  Apparently the men's meeting was just as colorful.

After church we made a special visit to Uncle Kurtis and sang songs for him while he enjoyed some chocolate buttons. Then we drove to Island Magee for a lovely dinner provided by Aunt Zetta.  Once dinner was consumed the rest of the family piled in for social hour.  The children spent some time outside until they raised a ruckus so Aunty Emma and Rachel helped them create a fun little play recorded on Emma's phone.

Tractors everywhere! 

A fellow chicken lover, but I think he can eat his. 

Monday we split forces, mom and I shopped some more, and Dad and Glen took the kids to an Adventure Park to play with the Maguires.

When we reunited we toured around the town a bit catching a glimpse of a couple political murals.  I have not posted the more controversial ones.

We were given permission to drive up to this capitol building, but we were not allowed to get out. 

We made time for one more family visit before dinner and bed, and what a special lady we saved for last.

Aunt Lily is a gem of rare quality!  She was so sweet and witty I wanted to bring her home with us.

Tuesday morning we said our goodbyes (several times, but that's another story) and returned to the South.  We checked into our hotel to empty the car of potential theft magnets, then went touring.

First stop was Kilmainham Gaol, a jail with much sad history.  As with all the OPW (Office of Public Works) tours it was very informative and enlightening.  Ireland has suffered a great deal, but the people are strong and generous of heart.

Be had a brief exploration of downtown Dublin then returned to our final nights sleep in Erin and before the long, long, long, trip home!

Ireland: Day 10, Antrim Coast

Today the camera was busy! So many beautiful site to see, beginning with a special door.

When Glen was a wee barin his ma stopped at this door to ask for warm water for his bottle on a car trip.  He was in no mood to wait until they arrived at their destination and this row of four connecting homes provided the immediate relief.  Thirty plus years later we stopped at this same door to meet a new friend of the McBride's, a lovely member of the church from Utah, recently married to the Irishman that presently lives here.  It is amazing how interwoven our lives are!

After a lovely wee visit on we drove to visit the Glens of Atrim for which our Glen is named.

This cow guards the entrance and dutifully watched as I took my pictures, so I honored him with one of his own. (Actually there are more, but I'll share one for now.)

From a little car park in the woods several trails lead off on hikes of various lengths. 

Granny is in charge!

We named this lovely spot, "Rootbeer Falls" because of its color and froth (not sure what's causing it, but we don't advise drinking it!).

Onward march to the coast! 

First we stopped for a the birds-eye-view of Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, then drove on down to its car park.

We all paid the ridiculous cost to cross the bridge, but it is a must do!

Continueing our drive along the coast we stopped at Papa's favorite childhood playgrounds, as well as the beach where he was baptised.

One of the great wonders of the world, in my opinion anyway, is the Giants Causeway.  It's quite a walk down to the "beach" but a wonderful playground once you have arrived.

After all the natural wonders we made our way to Port Stewart for so old fashioned amusement fun.  Bumper cars, the Carousel, Spinning rides and lots of games that eat your money!

When the dough ran out, we drove to Balleymoney to see Papa's childhood home and ate Fish -n- chips for dinner.  Another evening in the Emerald Isle.

Ireland: Day 9, Ulster Folk Museum & Family

A trip to the Ulster Folk & Transportation Museum is a must in Northern Ireland.  The Grandparents like to show how thiings were in days past. 

This was also a very special day for the family because we met up with cousins!  Although our family is separated my miles we have made efforts to keep involved in each others lives, so to see one another in person was a special treat.  The younger generation had so much fun playing along they didn't need the museum to distract them.

They grow them big in Ireland!

Steph and I took a wee trip around the park with the chillins.

The Transportation Museum has real trains, planes, and automobiles of various eras to explore.

These two crazy girls found other uses for the pamphlet stickers.

After the museum and dinner we took a trip to visit cousins from the other side of the family.  Aunt Dawn told stories from the present and the past as we looked through photo albums. 

The next generation made friends instantly and played there own games until we headed home for bed with a giant bag of sweeties.