Ireland

Colie and I loved Ireland. If you can imagine the two of us in a stick shift car where you drive on the left side and you shift with the left hand...and the roads have ZERO shoulder, and you have hedges and rock walls on either side....then add me and Nicole and you get some idea of the adventure we had. CRAZY! We did have a flat tire, we got lost, we had our B&B cancel on us at the late hour of 9:30PM and finally found a bed around 11:00pm. I thought for sure we would be sleeping in the car. That wasn't even the 'low point'..it was getting charged an extra 100euros for car insurance because they wouldn't accept my VISA as insurance.
The hands-down highlights were the local band playing their fabulous Irish music in the pub...4 accordians, a flute, a guitar, and a violin. And driving through a "GAP" in the mountains that was stunningly beautiful and wild and rugged.
This little lake was on the Kilarnny National Park. The story here is that an Irish man who owned the 11,000 acres went broke. The place went up for sale, but no Irish person could afford it. Finally an Irish-American bought it and gave it to his daughter as a wedding present. The daughter and American husband lived on this land for 12 years, but the daughter died leaving behind 2 children. The American husband went back to America. What to do with the land and house? It was decided to give it back to the country and it's now a park.
So I would post more pictures, but I don't know how...but as soon as Heidi wakes up she promised to show me how to post a slideshow and/or a movie clip. Yep, Seth and Heidi made it just fine. They are down for a long nap....

A Wee Bit O' Ireland

Mom and I spent the weekend in Ireland and had such adventures! Besides getting a flat tire, lost in the mountains for nearly 2 hours, nearly spending a night in the car, and having countless mini-heart attacks everytime we drove on those tinie-tiny Irish roads, we enjoyed the breath-taking scenery, the ancient castles and abbeys, and the accent and kindness of the Irish. Now, we've met people from a wide variety of countries, but I have to say this for the Irish: they are THE most friendly people I have ever met in my life. No joke. There's nice people, uncommonly nice people, ridiculously nice people, and then there's the Irish. It's a whole different level. Have a flat tire? No problem. The guy behind you will stop and change it for you while his wife strikes up a conversation. (Note to the general population: If you are ever asked by an Irish lad or lassie, "How's the crack?" or "How about a bit o' crack?" respond positively because crack is actually spelt 'craic' and means either conversation or fun. Gaelic is a cool language.) Lost? No problem. Someone will not only tell you where to go but they will either walk or drive an unlimited distance to show you where you need to go. The B&B lady gave away your reservation to someone else because you were late (due to being lost and a flat tire, fyi)? This one was a bit of a problem but, after 2 hours of driving around at 11 pm looking for hotels or B&Bs that had vacancies and even debating sleeping in the car, someone was kind enough to call around for us so we didn't have to drive around, and we were able to get a room! Everybody always wanted to know (for authenticity, say with a very very thick Irish accent...thick on the 'r's), "Where are yer from?" "Where are yer headed?" and "Are ya enjoyin' yerself?". Needless to say, we joined in on the accents and had some good times!

I've posted some pictures that you will understand hardly say enough but will have to suffice: the one with the car is from our exploratory adventure in the mountains. This, by the way, is a 2-way road. Yes, indeed. Now you can see why we had heart-attacks everytime someone came from the other direction! Mum is a rockin' awesome driver! The next photo is of Mum and I at the Gallarus Oratory, a temple built between the 7th and 8th century that used no mortor and is still in amazing condition despite the winds and rain of Ireland. We also went to a pub and were amazed at how just regular people are amazing musicians. People would just whip out their flutes or guitars or fiddles and join in on the fun. We ran nearly 3 miles back to our B&B to get our cameras because we were unwisely camera-less at the time. The music was amazing and these guys just had a blast playin' and singin'. It took all of my self-control not to bust out some Irish dancing! We later bought some CDs so that we could rock out in the car as we drove through the sweeping hills. The last picture is of Mum walking down to an abbey by the Rock of Cashel. It seemed like every town, every bend in the road had ruins: castles, abbeys, towers, fortresses. You can see how lush and verdant the land is. We are in love with the green land and the dark skies and even wanted it to rain, but I'm glad we had beautiful weather because we were able to fit more in to our trip. Thanks Mom (and Dad indirectly) for such a glorious weekend. I love Ireland!

Feliz cumpleaños, cuñado!

Could we have a cooler brother-in-law?!? No way. Noel is the best! I love this picture because it shows how good Noel is to Natalie and how great his sense of humor is. Feliz cumpleaños, cuñado!

Look at Noel's great smile!

See Noel, you do have a great smile! We were at Dan & Lara's townhouse in Bountiful before you were married. It was even before you were engaged, right? Looks like Daphne is just a squirt. Have a super day today on all your adventures you have planned there in Mexico. You are a great husband and father and son-in-law and church member. We are lucky to know you and love you! Last year in your 20's...live it up!

Happy 29th Birthday Noel

Noel joined our family Dec 18th, 2004. We love him! Here was our first trip he took with our family to Israel. It was August and hot as blazes but we all loved being there and being together.

Nallie's 23!!

I second everything Mom said. Mom and I had a blast looking through pictures of you as a kid that we could post. You are so full of life, are always thinking of other people, and the best sister and friend any one could even wish for! Every memory I have as a kid involves Nallie because she was either taking care of me and Steve or leading us off on our next adventures. We had and continue to have such grand times, matching outfits and all (thus the picture): reading books together, our brilliant tadpole business, your love of fireworks, laughing, biking through the forest, our "shows" in Gram's basement, learning how to shuffle a deck of cards and playing games all summer long, our camp-outs in the patio and shed/clubhouse, playing volleyball and soccer, your fashion input, you're the chef/I'm the dishwasher, talking for hours and hours on your bed through the wee small hours of the morning about nothing and everything, some more laughing, "face dancing", playing with Bryn and knowing she thinks we're nutso together, getting random voicemails where you sing songs that are in your head or have one-way conversations that make my day, and now and forever interrupting each other because we have so much to talk about. You are the unbounded blessing in all of our lives.

One year old!

Natalie. This is your one year old picture! And it is soooo hard for me to realize that so many years have passed. You really are 23 years old today? It must be so. Natalie was so fun to have in our home. A treat to have a girl after 3 fabulous boys. She learned all the tricks from her brothers and was very much a "tom-boy"....or should I say "tom-girl"!

Some things I always want to remember: Her first sentence "I too busy!" Taking dance lessons and not liking them at all. How her skin would bronze up so beautiful in the sun. She would play with Nicole for hours on end. She was so adept at taking care of Steve and had him on her hip most of the time. She loved to wrestle with her Dad. She loved "Indian Bob" ever bit as much as the boys. Her favorite shop is a toy shop...it still may be! When her and her friends (or cousins) would get together they would make up routines/shows for us. How athletic she was/is. How she seemed not to put any effort into school yet pulled off great grades, test scores, and graduation in record time.

Now Nan, you have an almost one-year old yourself. You are a great mother. I love how you are having such a fun time with it all. Just the right mixture of being responsible and enjoying the adventure. Hope you have a terrific birthday and know that we all love you and admire you and think you are just the greatest!

Her first love

Dad always said his wanted his girls to be "daddy's girls". This picture proves he got lots of love and kisses. What are some of the endearments he used for you? Huggie buggie, Nanno the Barbarian, Nanny, Buggie Boo. He said others called you Natta Brat, but he never did, cuz you weren't a brat!

The fearsome five

So this is quite the crew. It says a lot really. Colie happy and animated. Natalie not so delighted to be foreced into yet another picture. The trio in the background, paused for a moment, but ready for action as soon as allowed to go free. Natalie how did you ever survive these siblings? Just behind the boys, yet the big sister as well. You did a terrific job. 7/11/84 was a super day for the Herway family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY

Natalie is 23 years old today! Happy Birthday. Since you have a big celebration planned for you and Noel while you are vacationing in Mexico I know that your day will be full of fun and excitement. Here you are when you were having your 6th birthday! And you haven't changed a bit. Still cute as a button! Even at 6 years old you had "lushious lips" as Noel would say.

Harvest season already?

OK, last photo. If I ever figure out how to put on a video clip, then I'll really be proud of myself!

Speculoos vs.Straciatella

I bought Speculoos ice cream for the kids telling them that this was Jake & Mel's favorite. Their vote? They still prefer straciatella!

the many faces of our weather

Colie and I went for a Sunday afternoon stroll and almost got drenched...I love how the dark cloud is silhouetted against the blue sky.

It was YOU

Tom and President Woodland discussing their responsibilities....I think it went something like this, "I thought you said that you were going to do that?" "What? No! You said you were going to do it!"

6:40am scripture study

So, it's officially summer, but the schedule hasn't changed much because everyone has to be ready to go into work with their Dad....so that means the alarm still goes off at 6:40am. Still have scripture study even in the summer, and look how pleased Steve is about that! Actually he hasn't complained and he goes to bed at a decent hour, so things are changing around here.

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