Great times with great friends!

I can't believe it's been almost three weeks since some of my friends arrived and we explored the country together!  Jessica and Sara arrived on Sunday, October 9, and we headed for Cork that day.  We also stayed in Tralee, County Kerry (thanks to Paul's mom- she has a house there), in Louisburgh, County Mayo with Paul's parents, and we arrived back at our place in Dublin on Saturday, October 15.  Some of the places we toured in just under a week included:

• The Rock of Cashel
• Kinsale, County Cork
• Blarney Castle, County Cork, including kissing the Blarney Stone
• Killarney, County Kerry- Muckross House and Gardens, Ross Castle, the views of the lakes
• Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, including Dingle Town and a boat ride to look for Fungie, the dolphin!
• The Cliffs of Moher
• Louisburgh and Westport, County Mayo
• Knock, County Mayo

Heidi and her husband, Trevor then arrived on Sunday morning, October 16, and we all headed to Glendalough, County Wicklow for the day.  On Monday, everyone headed into Dublin to explore the city while I unpacked, did laundry, and repacked for another tour!  Jessica and Sara flew out on Tuesday the 18th, and Heidi, Trevor, and I headed west after a stop in Dublin.  We also stayed with Paul's parent's in Louisburgh and in Tralee.  The sights we saw included:

• The Jameson Distillery in Dublin- Heidi and I discovered a great new drink at the end when the free samples were given out- Jameson with cranberry juice and a slice of lime on ice.  It's yummy- try it!
• Achill Island, County Mayo
• Louisburgh and Westport, County Mayo
• Leenane, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden, and Aughnanure Castle, County Galway
• Galway City
• The Cliffs of Moher
• Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, County Clare, including the Bunratty Banquet
• The Dingle Peninsula

We arrived back in Dublin on Sunday, October 23 and enjoyed some music in a pub and dinner in town before Heidi and Trevor flew out on Monday, October 24.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jessica, Sara, Heidi, and Trevor for coming to visit!  I had an amazing time catching up with you and sharing my new home with you!

Some photos from the two weeks!

Sara and Jessica at Blarney Castle

 Me, Jessica, and Sara at Muckross House with the lakes of Killarney in the background

 Jessica and Sara with Fungie the dolphin- we did see the real one in the harbor!

 Sara and Jessica at the Cliffs of Moher

 October 14 was Paul's birthday!  We all met in Louisburgh and celebrated with dinner.

 Heidi, Sara, Me, and Jessica on our last night all together at our place in Dublin

 Me and Heidi at the top of the Bunratty Castle

Trevor and Heidi enjoying the Bunratty Banquet

Freya

On September 15, my sister, Margo, and brother-in-law, Justin welcomed Freya Lynn into the world.  Paul and I were so lucky to fly over to MN on the 21st and meet her when she was only 6 days old!  I had the honor of taking part in a few of Freya's "firsts"- first doctor appointment, first Target/Starbucks trip, first shopping trip to the outlet mall, and first girl's brunch.  It was a quick trip- only 5 nights, but it was more than enough time for me to fall completely, madly in love with my niece.  She is such a sweet baby.  I'm already planning my next trip back to see her!