Monday, August 12, 2013

Family Holiday 2013 Day 2

The second day of our holiday was definitely more eventful to say the least! we woke at 5 am to Lauren who was so sick, at this stage we though Lauren was the only one who would be sick. I was absolutely terrified that she would end up in hospital again like the last time she was ill, so I was religiously giving her fluids and doing everything I could to keep her hydrated. At about 10 am I realised she wasn't keeping a thing down so we decided to take her to see the emergency doctor to get a letter in case she had to admitted again for fluids, we also wanted to rule out anything more serious. The doctor said it was a 24 hour virus and gave us some medicine to stop her being sick, so back home we went where I kept a bedside vigil getting her to take sips of re hydration sachets to keep her strength up. My mum was such an amazing help at this stage. I decided that the others should take Dylan out on the boat for a cruise as I didn't want everyone stuck in the house all day, so they cruised up the Shannon and I kept Lauren company while she rested.
 
Dylan had the best time and he absolutely loved the boat. Derek kept me up to speed with everything by these lovely iPhone photos...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dylan and Grandad the experienced sailors!
 
 
 
Look at my little sailor!
 
 
 
Dylan and his Nanna, they loved having quality time together!
 
 
 
And my view, my poor sick little princess.... she was such a trooper though, she rested and drank her fluids and got so many cuddles from her mommy (look at those little eyes) my heart was broken for her!
 
 
 
The others had a lovely tea in a beautiful cafĂ© and they came home and made me a gorgeous dinner and we all relaxed some more, I caught up on some great reading... Lauren was feeling much better and was up and running around again, we were all so relieved.....   Then my poor mum, day and Victoria all came down with the virus during the night. I felt so bad for everyone!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Family Holiday 2013 Day 1

So we are back from our lovely trip to Leitrim and Carrick-On-Shannon, we stayed in a guest house and we had a boat to use to cruise the river Shannon. The first day when we arrived in Leitrim we went straight to Lough Key Forest park and nature trail there are beautiful walks, a look out tower and a wonderful lake where we watched beautiful swans and their adorable babies, there is also a forest walk that takes you above the forest. We had beautiful weather and the walk was lovely, we even had lunch there. The kids really loved it here and I got some lovely group pictures.
Little did we know that we would be struck down by a horrible stomach bug... so it was great that we enjoyed our first day.
 
 
 
Our little family at the top of the look out tower where we had the most spectacular views out onto the river Shannon
 
Our little family
 
 
With my little people
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Me and my Hubby
 
 
One big happy family 
 
 
My babies
 
 
Views of castle island from the forest walk
 
   
 
 
  
It was a lovely way to start our holiday and I'm really glad we got to see it, then we headed home to get settled into our holiday home and relax. We made a gorgeous roast dinner and had a nice chilled out evening! Day 1 was a major success!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Our 7th wedding anniversary

Today Derek and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary, this year we didn't do anything fancy. We bought ourselves a barbecue and we had a lovely family barbecue with kids. After the kids went to sleep we had Victoria watch them and we went for a walk on the pier in Dun Laoghaire, and then we went for milkshake. It was very quiet and our walk was beautiful, the scenery is very beautiful there, it was also nice to spend some time together. It was a really lovely day, I got some beautiful photos from the pier as the sun was setting.
 
Views from Dun Laoghaire pier
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Happy Anniversary to my dear husband, I love you more with each year that passes and I am blessed to have you in my life.
 
 
Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary Derek!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Trip to Powerscourt Waterfall

Last weekend visited Powerscourt waterfall and the weather was scorching hot
 


I was terrified my highlights would go brassy so I had my brimmed hat on!
 


Sunscreen and sunglasses were permanent features! I was either following the kids around with the sunscreen or the camera. ... this is what Dylan had to say about that !!
 

 
First we went down by the waterfall to have a look and take some pictures.  It was so busy there so we didn't spend too much time at this part, we were so hot we decided to go for ice cream, and then we went exploring until we found another part of the river where we stayed a while.
The kids played in the stream and Derek even took a dip! It was so cool and fresh! Dylan loved the river where he could use his imagination and play!
We stayed and relaxed there for a long time, and then we headed home to make dinner, the children didn't even want to leave! We had to talk them into leaving.
It was a really beautiful place, the lush green trees and the lakes and waterfall. We had an AMAZING time!  I'm looking forward to coming back again with friends and family and having a barbecue. I got some great photos of the waterfall, and of the kids having fun in the stream.
 
 
 
 

Where we played it was like a little lagoon with it's own waterfall, and it was protected amongst the trees, it was beautiful!
 
 
 
 

 

The kids would have stayed here all day if we let them! The water was so nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

We are definitely looking forward to coming back again! It was a lovely day!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Trip to Silverstrand Beach

We went to Silverstrand beach today which is located in Co. Wicklow, it is a really stunning beach and it's an ideal place to visit during the AMAZING heat wave we've been enjoying. The kids loved the beach and building sandcastles! They couldn't be happier than they are when they're running round in the sea and sand.....
 
I was definitely loving my view!!
 

 
The weather is set to continue long term! The summer is so fabulous this year! I can't wait for lots more outings! Here are my little guys enjoying the heat wave...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
I could get used to this!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Dublin Zoo 2013

This weekend we went on our annual trip to the Zoo! This year our Nanna and Grandad came along and our new au pair. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time. I loved spending time with all my favourite people! We walked for ages and we had lunch in the restaurant there too. It was a really lovely day and we all enjoyed the zoo!
 I always love watching the kids run around looking at the animals, I love how Dylan looks out for Lauren and shows her everything. I got some nice photos on my phone too!
 
 
 
 They are growing so fast!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Our new Au pair

Summer time is always quite difficult with childcare for us. It is so expensive to get good quality childcare, so this summer we decided to get an au pair, and so far it has been worth every penny to the agency.  Our au pair arrived two days ago and I took a few days off work to help her settle in.  We are looking forward to having an extra pair of hands around the house to help out! Lauren and Dylan are taken with her and love having her around. I will be able to go to work in peace with no worries about the kids and their safety. I know that they will be in safe hands!
 
 
 
 
 
~ This summer is going to be so much fun ~