Santa's House Express

On Sunday afternoon, the three of us went to see the jolly man in the red and white suit. Back in September I had booked tickets for Santa's House Express at a golf club/estate about 30 minutes from our place. It was magical!

We arrived and collected our boarding passes in the clubhouse, then walked down to The North Pole Village, where the train departed from. In the village you could see Santa's reindeer and other animals, get hot drinks and goodies, purchase gift items from stalls, and have your picture taken in Santa's sleigh. There were also elves playing games with the kids and painting faces. We then boarded the train, Santa's House Express, to go to Santa's House!

I think the train was Gemma's favourite part!

When we arrived at Santa's House (the old Manor house), we were first taken into a room to learn a dance with some elves. We then went into another room to hear a story from Mrs. Claus. 

After that we went upstairs to see the man himself! Each family had time with Santa to chat and take photos, and each child got a gift. Gemma did NOT want to sit on his lap!

We then headed downstairs to open the gift, and Elsa from 'Frozen' was there singing 'Let It Go'. Gemma couldn't understand why she didn't get a pink car from Santa, as this is what she's been talking about since before Halloween! Now nearly every time she sees the little toy she got, she says 'no pink car'. We try to explain to her she has to wait until Christmas!

We took the train back to the North Pole Village, and Gemma got her first taste of hot chocolate! 

It was a wonderful, festive afternoon!

Visitors!

A week ago Sunday, on November 23rd, my mom, aunt, and sister arrived for a week long visit! It was the first time in six years any of my family had been over, so it was absolutely wonderful! 

They arrived early Sunday morning, so we went back to our place to relax for a bit and take a walk to get a bit of fresh air (and keep the travellers awake)! After Gemma's nap, we drove to Newry, just over the border in Northern Ireland. We met Paul's parents, sister and her husband there for dinner. We also celebrated mom's birthday a couple of days early with a beautiful cake!

We got a good picture of all 10 of us, but I think it's on mom's or Paulette's camera!

On Monday we slept in and took it easy again in the morning, then headed into Dublin to tour the Jameson distillery after Gemma's nap. 

Mom got to be one of the special taste testers and tried a few different types of whiskey. 

Tuesday was mom's 60th birthday. We started the day with breakfast at Queen of Tarts, a yummy restaurant in Dublin. 

Next we toured Glasnevin Cemetery, where important people from Ireland's history, literature, and more are buried. 

After our tour there, we walked around near Grafton Street (one of the main shopping areas and decorated beautifully for Christmas), then had tea at the Westin Hotel. 

We finished the day with a 'birthday cake' (pumpkin pie squares) back at our place!

On Wednesday we dropped Gemma off at creche, then headed to the airport for an overnight trip to Edinburgh, Scotland! 

We arrived, took the tram into the city, got a wonderful pub lunch, then checked into our apartment rental. After that we walked around a bit and made our way to the Christmas market. It was amazing!

On Thursday, our first stop of the day was The Real Mary King's Close, a tourist attraction where a character takes a group on a tour of the closes (small alleyways) and depicts life in medieval times. It was very interesting!

After our tour there, Mom and Paulette went to tour Edinburgh Castle, and Margo and I walked around the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket (two of the primary areas in the city centre). 

At Edinburgh Castle

St. Giles Cathedral

We met back up, then did a bus tour of the city, some shopping, and got tea before collecting our bags and heading back to the airport. 

We got back to Dublin around 10pm that night, headed home, and had another helping of pumpkin pie squares to celebrate Thanksgiving!

On Friday, we again dropped Gemma off at creche, then headed south of Dublin to County Wicklow. Our first stop was Glendalough, a monastic site founded in the 6th century. 

We had lunch at a hotel there, then drove to Wicklow town, where we explored the seaside there. We drove on to Greystones, another seaside town, and had coffee there. The next stop was back at creche to collect Gemma. We spent the afternoon getting some souvenirs at the grocery store, then ordered dinner in and Margo and I went to the cinema in the evening. 

On Saturday, everyone started packing up in the morning, then the four of us headed into town to do a bit more shopping and taking in the Christmas atmosphere in the Grafton Street area. Paul and Gemma joined us in town after her nap, and we all went out to dinner. 

Paul and Gemma headed home after dinner, and the four of us headed to a couple of pubs for some drinks and in search of some traditional music. Unfortunately the one pub where we found some was so packed we walked right back out!

On Sunday, November 30th, Mom, Margo, and Paulette left our place around 9am to start their long journey home. It was a wonderful visit filled with lots of great memories!

Photo Catch Up!

How has it been over two months since I last posted?!? We had a very eventful week last week (more on that in my next post), but I wanted to share a few fun pics from the past weeks first!

Don't get wet! On our way to the car at Liffey Valley one Friday evening after work and creche. 

Just chillin' with a book from the library. 

At the park on a Sunday afternoon. 

Feeding the ducks in the river in Lucan village after dinner later that day. 

Helping to make the frosting for daddy's birthday cake (October 14). 

'Talking' to Auntie Margo on her toy remote control

Not too excited about modelling her Halloween dress at Granny and Grandad's the weekend before Halloween!

Our first trip to the cinema. The three of us saw 'Planes 2: Fire and Rescue'. 

Love that smile!

A morning at the 'Play Cafe'

Relaxing in mommy and daddy's bed. We found out a few days later that tonsillitis was brewing at the time :(

Helping to put up the Christmas tree in her Christmas jumper!

Sitting in Mr. Tayto's sleigh at Super Valu

Silly face!