IRELAND!!

Over a year and a half ago Dave came up with this wonderful idea.... He wanted to give back to his mother. His mom has done an amazing job raising 7 kids (a lot all by herself as his dad was gone traveling on business and away most their young years). She hasn't traveled much and has never been out of the country but has always wanted to go to Ireland where her ancestors are from. So last year for her birthday Dave gave her an Ireland book with a note saying that all the siblings were gonna treat her to a trip to Ireland as a thanks for the amazing mother she has always been. So after over a year of planning and all the sibblings contributing we got to embark on a 10 day journey through Ireland. This was an adult only trip that included Dave's mom Sharry, his brother Stacey and wife Shayna, sister Michelle, sister Deirdre and husband Andrew. So 8 of us all together. We rented 2 cars and ventured all through the southern part of Ireland.

First and foremost before I start one of many posts of our Ireland trip I want to give a BIG SHOUTOUT and THANKS to the people who made this possible for us to take such a long and incredible trip.
MY MOTHER- She had all my kids for 5 days and Tayte for the whole 10 days. They LOVED staying at Gigi's house and had so much fun.
Tami- Kept Madix for the last 5 days. There's nobody else Madix would rather play with and have sleepovers with than her best friend Hanna. Mads even got the stomach flu for 2 days throwing up and Tami took such good care of her.
Linda- Took Tyler for 3 days. Ty had so much fun playing with her 3 girls and getting her nails painted, she probably felt right at home.
Alisa- Got Ty the last 2 days where they stayed up all night playing and made cookies.
Amanda and Mike- Who house sitted for us and took care of Meeka who probably got way more attention with them here then she ever gets. She got walks everyday and played with. They also kept Ty for one day in the middle. They took her to the library, played with her and took her to preschool. She loved her day with Amanda and Mike.
THANKS again you all. Being away from my kids for 10 days is a long time but I did not worry at all because I knew they were in the best of hands!!!!

And before I begin with ALL the photos I just want to mention the people of Ireland. Besides their beautiful landscape and the countrysides and all their historic buildings and sites, you should go to Ireland just for the people. They were the nicest, friendliest most hospitable people ever!! We were in our car and a guy just pulled up next to us rolled down his window and asked if he could help us in anyway. We stayed in Bed and Breakfastes most of the time and the owners anything they could to make us feel at home. One even went to the store and bought chocolate hob nobs for Dave (which he knew from his mission in England but couldn't find them).

Our first day- Left Phoenix at 10:55 am and arrived in Shannon, Ireland 5:45 am. We stopped in New Jersey. Each flight was about 6 hrs, but the flights over weren't too bad. The flights on the way back on the other hand were the worst, especially the second leg. Early morning pulling up to a huge castle that we will be staying in our first night in Ireland. Dromoland Castle. We splurged the first night. You can't go to Ireland and not stay in a really cool castle:) There was one king that resided in this castle, it's 1,012 yrs old. They did add one wing to it when Pres. Bush went to stay there.

Walking around the grounds. All the land and scenery in Ireland is just breathtaking. SOOOOO beautiful.

Dave and his bro Stace. You'll rarely see a "normal" picture with these 2.

Me and Dave took a cool bikeride around the lake and through there little forest outside the castle. You can barely see the castle behind us.

The castle had a really nice spa we went to. Sat in the hydra spa hot tub, so relaxing! Then Dave got a massage and I got a pedicure.

They have "tea time" everyday from 3-5.... In the lobby ready for tea time.

Our fun little tea party we had. I don't like any tea, but they had some good herbel tea other family members like.

Michelle and all our yummy snacks.

Deirdre missed her connecting flight at New Jersey cause her other flight was delayed. We almost missed our flight cause Dave did NOT want to get on the plane without his sister. She had to fly into Dublin and take a train to us. We were glad to have her join us.

Deirdre was also our main photographer, with her nice camera. She did such a good job capturing all the great things about Ireland. So I'm gonna wait to recieve a copy of all her pictures before I finishing blogging our adventures in Ireland. (she took over 1500 pics, ofcourse I'll choose my favs but get ready for a heap load of pictures)