Ireland trip (Day 3)

Today was another amazing day seeing the beauty of Ireland. We drove from Derry in Northern Ireland to Galway in Southern Ireland. A huge portion of our drive time was on the "Wild Atlantic Route" (apparently there are even TV shows that talk about this drive) 

Galway is great town full of Irish culture and beauty. 

Trip to Ireland (Day 2)

Wow! Ireland is beautiful! There is so much to see. We only have four short days here but I am sure we could spend months trying to see it all. 

This morning we left Dublin and headed north. Crossing into Northern Ireland (not a single passport control). We had lunch in a small town called Antrim. Then headed to Bushmills. Bushmills distillery is the oldest working distillery in the world having started in 1608

We then headed via the Giant Causeway, seeing amazing sites! 

The evening was spent in Derry. A walled city. It was beautiful and we enjoyed a traditional evening of traditional Irish music. (The pictures aren't very bright but they give you an idea). 

Trip to Ireland (Day 1)

This week Aaron and I are blessed with the opportunity to share a trip to Ireland (North & South) with my dad (Bob) & Carolyn. 

Here are a few pics of our first day. Today has been in Dublin and visiting our friends Mickey & Kathleen. 

We are having such a great time! Looking forward to what we do today!! 

Jeremiah turns 1!

Jeremiah turns 1!  

Our last first birthday! 

Everyone in the house enjoyed it and had lots of fun spoiling him with extra love. 

We had a family breakfast that he enjoyed and as you can see in the photo's below he enjoyed opening the presents... and had lots of help from the older siblings and even an older cousin. 

(ok, i will admit it... he turned one on February 14th... i am a bit behind on the posts, but the pics are from the real day!)

The Ceremony!

Well, it is now completely official.  

Today I (Eileen) had my ceremony to become a British citizen.   The ceremony was an interesting British experience where I (Eileen) had to actually sign the national anthem at the end, thankfully only the first verse and in a large group but it was the first time i have ever actually sang it. 

Thank you to all of you who have prayed with us through this process.  It has taken longer than we had expected and cost more than we hoped but we are so thankful it is complete.  

I did spend some time this afternoon in my excitement applying for my very first British passport. 

The question i know some of you are wondering... yes, i did keep my Canadian citizenship.  I am now a dual Citizen. 

You wanna build a snowman?

Snow in London!!  Yep, today was that special day that each year the kids are so excited for... Snow in London!!! 

The photo I (Eileen) have included isn't that great but if you look really closely you can see the complete excitement on Zachariah's face.   Aaron was able to take some time this morning to take him into the front yard to build a snowman before it all melted.  The picture of the snowman alone is just a few hours later and as you can see... it's the only bit of snow we have left!  

There is simply never enough snow!!!

The Phantom of the Opera

On January 31st Aaron and I (Eileen) had the opportunity to take Eden to see Phantom of the Opera.  This was the present for her 13th birthday which was in May but she agreed.... it was completely worth waiting for.  

At 13yrs old Eden has already developed into a lovely young lady.  She has a true sense of proportion for fun and responsibility and a gentle spirit to see the needs of others.  We are thankful for the blessing she is in our lives and those she meets. 

Now I (Eileen) just have to figure out how to get Aaron to agree to come to a real opera with us...