Ireland 2010 - Day 8

Today I got to see my friend Michael!!! We met when we worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL TEN YEARS AGO!! Where has the time gone? We decided to meet up in Derry for lunch and a bit of shopping. We had a great time catching up. We then went to Fagan's for dinner. I have to say I love going to Paul and Fiona's for dinner. Paul makes the most amazing dinners. I would post the picture I took of my meal, but I don't want to make you all jealous.

Michael, Madison, and Me!!!

Lucky the Dog! Isn't he gorgeous?!

She was just in love with Ciara.

Trying to play a duet with Auntie Tasha.

Madison couldn't decide what she was more scared of...Conor or the ball. ha!

I just love the view from their house!

Ireland 2010 - Day 7

Today we did the normal Sunday thing...church and then nap. Mad actually took a 3.5 hour nap so that meant that I took a 3 hour nap. Amazing. Thank you again Madison. Mom really needed that.

After our long naps we took a stroll into town with Nick, DK, and Tasha to explore the Carndonagh parish and show Tasha our family plot in the cemetery. We felt like visiting your ancestors was a very appropriate Sunday activity.

Ireland 2010 - Day 6

It was a gorgeous day so we decided to take Tasha up to some of our favorite look outs. And I drove!! I had never driven over here because I'm a huge wuss and the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road with a clutch freaked me out. But now they generally rent you an automatic so I thought that I could finally master my fear. And I did! And no one was injured! haha! Nick even told me I did great.

The Doherty keep on the Isle of Dough, Carrick-a-braghy.

They rented Derek a BMW!! Are you freaking kidding me??

Little Miss Independent wouldn't let Granny Eva hold her hand.

Malin Head

This is probably one of my favorite pictures of the day. Too cute that Maddie is pointing at Malin Head. Hilarious that Mom is yelling at Nick in the background and Nick is pouting. hahaha!

I love this shot of Nick laughing! He was cracking up at Derek because he kept sticking out his tongue in pictures.

He then stuck his tongue out. ha!

Ryan, we saved a spot for you. We figured you could GQ it on the table.

Another shot of the BMW.

We scared the life out of this poor mama duck and her babies. They were so cute!!!

Ireland 2010 - Day 5

Today was another day in only I didn't take any pictures. Sorry. My mom was feeling loads better, but my sister Lisa was not. She went to the doctor regarding her back pain and was told that she had torn a muscle. She was in extreme pain and nothing would relieve it. She tried to just tough it out, but ended up just laid out on her back. So her wonderful husband took matters into his own hands and changed their tickets and brought Lisa and the girls home a few days early. We were sad to see them go, but we all know that it isn't their last trip over. It was really great to spend time with her girls and have them get to know Madison. Mad LOVED playing with Kailei and Alysha. And she really loved Aunt Lisa's purse. hahaha!

Ireland 2010 - Day 4

Granny Eva came down with a chest infection aka bronchitis. So we stayed in and cared for her and Uncle Nick. She went to the doctor and was given heavy antibiotics and was much better even by that evening. Mad and I entertained ourselves in the back garden...

Ireland 2010 - Day 3

Derry City

Great Department store. Much like Nordstroms.

The mall

Mad after her nap. Too cute.

Playing with Kailei

Alysha Facebooking. Shocker. hahaha!

Showing Mad how to do bubbles.

Nick's favorite activity

Today was full of SHOPPING!!! Madison was such a great sport and took her nap in the stroller so we could continue shopping well into the afternoon. My sister Lisa (foster sister, but we have long since dropped the foster part) and her daughters, Kailei and Alysha are over visiting with us for the week. Boy can these girls shop. It's really fun to get to own them better as "adults" and to see them interact with Madison. She LOVES playing with the girls and going through Aunt Lisa's purse. haha! The sun decided to come out around 7pm this evening. It was really nice after the day of rain. Of course we had to go out and blow bubbles...