Tynemouth Priory

This was our last day with Uncle Howard and Barbara before they headed back to Chicago.

Ireland

We were blessed to have Uncle Howard and Barbara come for a visit in August. We had a fantastic time. We spent a few days in Ireland which was absolutely gorgeous! We flew Ryan air, which was our first experience on a value jet. The boys thought it was the funniest thing when we landed and they did a bugle call. I cried on the flight back when the turbulence got really bad, and the pilot came over the air and said all the other air space was taken and we would just have to endure it for awhile. But we did make it both ways. As with every big city we have visited, we absolutely loved Dublin. Cork was gorgeous, although I don't think any of us would recommend the "bus tour". The Ring of Kerry had the most breathtaking views and was well worth the time spent in the car. Here are just a few pictures from Ireland.

Uncle Howard, Barbara, and Mike took the Guinness tour

I took the boys to the Dublin Zoo

Blarney Castle

Right after Mike kissed the Blarney Stone.

Killareny

on the Ring of Kerry

Mike dared Barb to ring the church bell, and she did

A little behind

I have gotten a little behind on updating the blog. I just don't know where the time goes. I am going to attempt now to get caught up.

Samuel's Imagination

Samuel has started "big School" this week, and he is really enjoying it. He is only in half days for the first three weeks and then will start full days. Today on our walk home from school it was raining, he asked me: "Mom do the aliens remote control the rain?"

Samuel getting ready for School

We had to fill out an "all about me" form for Samuel to hand in to his teacher. One of the questions was: I must not eat/drink... Samuel's reply: I must not drink wine or beer and I must not eat frogs.

Cool Cars

A question from Owen: "Mom, Why do all the cool cars only have two doors?"

Grandma, Briahna, and Mackenzie visit!

We had such a wonderful time with Grandma, Briahna and Mackenzie on their two week visit. We got to do some really fun things. We spent five days in London, went to the beach a few times, visited some other really great places, did some shopping, and just had fun hanging out. The boys loved being around Mackenzie and Briahna and acting silly.  We had a ton of pictures!

London Eye

Samuel and Big Ben

Waiting for the Changing of the Guard

Changing of the Guard

Buckingham Palace

Owen snapping pictures at Westminster Abbey

Hampton Court

Hampton court

Regent Park - I have no idea what is going on in this picture

Piccadilly Circus

Hampton Court

Hampton Court Gardens

Owen loved this painting - London Zoo

Going on Safari

London Zoo

Samuel loving his big sister and cousin

Alnwick Castle

The beach at Alnmouth

Alnmouth

Braving the frigid water

Alnwick Castle

Broom flying lessons?

Mary Poppins

Alnwick Gardens

Owen's statue

Love when they are all together

The boys enjoying a nice conversation and walk

Crazy

She was dancing in the oven

Beautiful picture, one of the only ones we got where Mackenzie wasn't being totally silly!

Tynemouth Priory

North Pier - Tynemouth

Owen looking out over the North Sea

Briahna and Mackenzie riding the waves

Samuel surfing

jumping the waves

Samuel's new friend Lyndsey

They must have been freezing!

Owen jumping the waves

Hurry

an example of the many crazy pictures I have of these two girls

Owen at the Railway museum in York

Briahna doing flips on the tramp-o-line in York

Looks like Owen is flying through the air

Hadrian's wall - must have been a bit chilly

Bundled up

Chester's Roman Fort

Bath house at Chester's

Top of The Castle Keep in Newcastle

Newcastle Central Station