Ireland: Part a dó

Trying to decide what to write about on the blog has been difficult - there's just too much!  First, here are some pictures from Carrie & Josh's sweet crib.  The live on Compass Hill overlooking the harbor in a HUGE house.  Here's the view from the garden.

 Their garden - they actually have a gardener

 View from atop the garden (their house is on the right)

 Friday after we dropped the boys off at the train station, the 4 of us went back to Cork for some more sight-seeing and shopping!  Here's a church in Cork and they call it the "Four-Faced Liar", because each clock has a different time.  Of course when we were there the times were all the same, so we just call Carrie the liar.

 Later that afternoon we drove to Fort James, which is one of the two forts on the side of Kinsale harbor that protected the city.  Seeing and touching a building that is over 400 years old is pretty amazing!

 What's left standing

 Gotta love the weather!

 Saturday morning we hit the road early to drive to the Dingle Peninsula (the Deegans favorite Irish sight).  The peninsula has something to offer the rest of the island didn't - mountains!  The highest pass (Connor pass) is an astounding 1,500 feet (nothing for us Coloradoans), but the views were spectacular.

 

 Quaint town of Dingle

 The lighthouse we hiked to

 Every corner we turned in Dingle there was something about the "Fungie Dolphin" tour, and since we didn't get to ride the ferry to the islands, we knew we needed to get on a boat - seeing a dolphin was just a bonus.  We started our nice ride out of the harbor and after some waiting finally spotted the dolphin.  We were in awe and raced around the boat to beat the other tourists snapping pics.  Then Fungie swam off unamused by our curiosity, then the captain geared up the boat to chase him.  No commentary about the harbour, history of the city, etc.  It was all about this dolphin.  There we sat for an hour chasing this poor dolphin around the harbour.  What a tourist trap! 

 Gotta love the signs in Ireland

 Cow we had to pass on our hike - he graciously let us go through!

 So cold........(we actually got sick after this day from the cold & wind)

 View from Connor Pass (highest point in Ireland)

 For some reason every time we got in the Fiesta for a ride, I snoozed.  I never sleep in a car, plane, or anything but a bed, but each time we were headed somewhere I was excited to get some nappy time.  I'm sure I missed some beautiful countryside.  This was right before I was awakened by a slap!

 Sunday morning we got up and drove to Fort Charles (the other fort that protected Kinsale) on the opposite side of Fort James.  It's well intact with loads of information about Ireland history.

 The Bros

 Then we drove to Cobh for the afternoon.  It's another coastal town fueled by tourism.  Cobh was the last place the Titanic docked before it sank, making it the town's "claim to fame".  The streets in these small towns are so cute and colorful!

 Large church in Cobh

 We went back to Kinsale to check out their local fair and shopping the rest of the day.  It was nice to see the town starting to buzz and not seem so empty.  Steve just had to buy a local hat. 

 Sunday evening we ate at Bulman's (favorite local hangout with great views of the harbour). 

 Enjoying the last Guinness of the trip.  Boo!

We left early early Monday morning to return home to our sweet girlies in the afternoon.  The trip was perfect, but we were happy to get home and snuggle with them.  

Oh Ireland!

Where do I even start with this post?  How do I condense one amazing week into a few words, a few pictures?  Here's my best shot.  I decided to break it into 2 parts - with the boys (Zach, Josh's bro, and his friends) and without the boys.  Although we thought it may be harder to travel with such a big group, it ended up being a blast with the boys.  After traveling for 16 hours (with very little sleep) on Monday (uggghhh), we arrived in Cork Tuesday morning ready to see Ireland.  First up was lunch in Kinsale (small town Carrie & Josh live in).  We were ampted to dine in the culinary capital of Ireland.  Kinsale is a harbour town that thrives in the summer with tourists.  Carrie & Josh live within walking distance of everything!  Here's a street in Kinsale:    

 After lunch we did a mini-walking tour of the town, stopping at this church and graveyard that was pretty cool.

I was completely wore out, so when I went back to nap the boys, Carrie, and Steve went to Old Head, a golf course in Kinsale right on the water.  Beautiful pics!

 Then they drove to the sandy beach (of course the weather is not typical beach weather).  Steve really enjoyed it as you can tell.

 That night was our first pub experience.  Although we kept it low-key, I still was anxious to try the Irish cider beer called "Bulmer's".  Delicious!

 We woke up early Wednesday morning and drove (3 hours) to the Cliffs of Moher.  We all packed into the tiny cars for a long drive.  The cliffs are absolutely amazing, and I don't think the pics do it justice.  They are 600 feet high and beautifully green.

 Of course being on the water, it was extremely windy, but we couldn't complain, because it wasn't foggy.

 The boys showing off to see who could get the closest to the edge. 

 And Tom thought he'd take a little dip in the pond.  He promised he'd get in the water at some time.

 We stayed in Doolin that night at a B & B that was perfect.  It was such a small town, but had a pub which was all we needed.  We started around 3 and went into the wee hours of the evening.  We enjoyed some traditional music, traditional food, and some traditional Irish drinks - Guinness, Harp, Bulmer's, and of course we all had to try the Jameson shot.  Ouch!

 The evening ended with a local Irishman serenading me with a somber Irish song.

 Our waterfront view from the room of our B & B

 Thursday morning we had planned on taking a ferry to the Aran Islands, but the wind and water were so fierce we couldn't go - good thing because we may have been stuck at the islands for days.  So we walked to the water before heading out of Doolin.  Notice the hipster who snuck into our pic.

 On our way back home we stopped at the Blarney Castle and the infamous Blarney Stone.  According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of eloquence.  Of course after climbing the winding stairs and throwing yourself back and upside down to kiss it, I hope you're given something - not sure if it's eloquence though. Thank God there's somebody there to keep you from falling.

My turn right before peeing my pants - I was freaked out!

View from atop the castle

Group pic in front of the castle

After the castle we drove to the city of Cork.  The boys went to the Hi-8 pub, a historic pub where you can't even use your "mobiles".  Us girls went shopping!  We had to make it home for the anticipated "Gentlemen's Hour" Josh had been planning all week.  Carrie & Josh have this formal living room with highback chairs, so they thought it'd only be appropriate to converse with gentlemenly topics while drinking whiskey (out of real crystal glasses) and smoke pipes.  They even got dressed for the occasion.

While they were busy doing gentlemen-ly things Carrie and I were planning our April Fool's Day pranks.  First we sewed all the boys' coat sleeves shut and then put their toothbrushes in salt.  Unfortunately their hour was up before we could do any more pranks.  It was well worth it to see Tom put on his jacket in the morning!

Up next:  Ireland #2 (without the boys)

Only in Brooklynn's Wildest Dreams......

For Brooklynn's birthday we bought her tickets to Disney on Ice's Princess Classics - as soon as I saw this advertised I knew we had to take her!  Of course when you have a 3 year-old you can't tell her until the day before, or she'll perseverate about it for weeks. 

When I was younger my aunt Kathy would take me every year to Disney on Ice for my birthday.  Every year I looked forward to it, and was excited to share the experience with my baby.

Since the Hepps were taking Kiley we decided to meet up with them for dinner before.  Here's the 2 princesses enjoy their royal meal aka Mac 'n Cheese!  It was special to see them share their excitement.  Of course I couldn't get Brooklynn to wear any of her 3 new beautiful dresses - she demanded the ragged one.  Oh well!

 Then we were off to the "Cinderella Show" and found our seats.  Here's Brooklynn anticipating the show (or super scared of her dad's cheesy smile).

 Belle and the Beast

 The show was not complete until Cinderella arrived.  When she came out Brooklynn's face just lit up.  There's nothing as special as witnessing happiness gleaming from your kids' faces!

 Her pose most of the night

 And then Prince Charming...

I'm guessing it was probably one of, if not the best, night of Brooklynn's life.  She just couldn't believe all the princesses would be together, and she'd get to see them live - in person.  She was such a joy to be with and we were amazed she never asked for anything!  There were so many of those overpriced, cheaply-made toys and junk food around her, but all she wanted was the experience of the show.