Saturday, August 17, 2013

Family picnic 2013

The day after we returned from our holidays we had a family reunion to celebrate Derek's brother and sister in law coming home for a visit from New York, we headed back out to Powerscourt Gardens to have a picnic. It was a great spot and the kids had a great time having their picnic, swimming in the lake and enjoying the company. I had a great time catching up with family, it was a lovely day...
 
Here is the lovely little group of cousins...
 
 
 
 
 
 
Love these little people
 
 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Family Holiday 2013 Day 4

When we woke up on our fourth day everyone had been sick during the night, Derek and I decided to get the kids out of the house so everyone could rest in peace, we also didn't want to risk Dylan getting sick. So we decided to hire bikes and do the electric bike trail around the village and cycle into Drumshanbo which is a nearby village. We got Lauren a little bicycle carriage and Dylan had his own bike and he did so well cycling the whole way! It was so much fun and we had the best time, we had a few rain showers during the morning, but it was fine! 
 
Lauren in her little carriage!
 
 
 
Our big boy
 
 
 
In front of the river Shannon
 
 
A family 'selfie'
 
 
 
This is the route we took in red, and surprisingly Dylan managed the whole way and kept up, he was brilliant! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lovely views of the Shannon from the bridge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We decided to head home as I was starting to feel unwell and we didn't want to risk waiting a day in case Derek got sick too. I lost about 24 hours of my life! but thankfully we are all feeling a lot better now! In spite of everyone being sick we still enjoyed the time together and at least we all got to do things together! I was thankful to spend a lovely week off with my lovely family...
 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Family Holiday 2013 Day 3

 Day three of our holidays everyone was feeling a bit better, we decided to take the kids on a cruise up the Shannon, I have to say it was gorgeous we really enjoyed it and Lauren absolutely LOVED the boat just like Dylan. The weather was lovely and we took our time going down the river until we got to Carrick-On-Shannon, where we stopped and had a lovely lunch out at a great pub called 'The Oarsman' it was delicious. Then we had a look around the village and enjoyed the sights, the kids got some nice books. Then we took our time cruising back down to the house again, it took about two hours there and back on the boat and the views were amazing.
 
Look at this little face with the big happy smile!
 
 
My sailors
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Of course Dylan found a tree!
 
 
 
 
The beautiful outdoor market
 
  
 
This was a great day, I have to say I loved being out on the boat. That evening we relaxed again and had fish and chips from the chip shop! it was one of my favourite days! 

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!