Powerscourt

So we have had a busy few days here in Dublin. Rob was gone most of the week for work in London and then in Scotland. Once he was home we had a work dinner at a fancy french restaurant downtown and left Easton for the first time since we have been here. We left him with our great neighbors and he did great.
We then welcomed our first guests here in Ireland. Our friends from L.A., Jared and Kristi, finished up their 3 week European adventure in Dublin. It was fun to hear the stories of their travels and great to see some familiar faces. They did some touring around the city and then on Saturday (another beautiful day...I am eating my words) we went to Powerscourt Gardens. They are these amazing gardens a bit south of us. They were built in the 1700's. We were barely out of the city but the change was dramatic. It was super peaceful and just like you might imagine the Irish countryside. We saw herds of sheep and small winding farm roads.








In other news...I am getting revved up for Halloween. We didn't know if they celebrated it here but, alas, they do! I guess Halloween just gets me excited for fall. My friend, Emily, found me some orange lights so the decorating can begin. I think Easton might end up being a dragon this year...he would love to be Diego from 'Go, Diego, Go' but I don't know if the shorts and t-shirt outfit will fly in Dublin weather.
Our car finally got here from the states this week! It is currently going through customs but we are glad that we may have a car at our disposal soon. The bad part is that then I actually have to figure out how to drive a left-hand drive car on the left side of the road. Let's be honest, I am not the best driver ever...it could get messy. Hopefully with some serious practice and a GPS system we will survive!

A Trip to Howth

Saturday was honestly the first nice, non-rainy Saturday since we have been here. I have been kind of grumpy the past Saturday's because it's our one day to get out and do stuff as a family and we've been confined to the house. So I was really happy when this last Saturday was sunny and warm with no rain in sight! We decided to take off early in the morning and go up to the fishing village of Howth, which is on the peninsula on the northern bay of Dublin. We rode the train, which Easton loves, ate breakfast near the bay, let Easton play on the playground and walked a bit into the actual town. It was nice to see a new part of Dublin and enjoy the sun!

Easton and Rob on the train...that is Easton's smile believe it or not.


Some Frenchman took this pic after we asked him to get the cliffs in the background. Obviously we need to brush up on our French.


After Howth and a nap for Easton we headed for the park that is near our house for some more playground time and to feed the ducks. The ducks there are brazen! Easton's fingers have been bitten more than once!




And here are a few pictures of the inside of our house that I promised a while ago and that some people who will not be mentioned (Nicole) have been asking for. It is only a few rooms that were clean right before I posted! I'll get more up soon.


Kitchen...the fridge and freezer are the tall 'cabinets' on the left side of the pic disguised as cabinets.

The sun room/enclosed patio/conservatory. They call it a conservatory here but I just can't make that fancy of a word come out of my mouth on a regular basis.

Our downstairs wc (water closet...bathroom in American) that is the width of Rob's shoulders! I know it's kind of weird to show you all the bathroom but it's just the kind of thing I know my mom will ask about..."What does the bathroom look like?"

The living room

Until next time...

We went to the Dublin Zoo last weekend. There were lots of lions, elephants, monkeys and farm animals to keep us busy. Easton loved the monkeys and has been asking to go back and see them since! It was actually a nice day...the last week has been pretty rainy, windy and all around nasty...it puts me in a bit of a funk but I'm working on being peppy anyway.




This is Easton and I with the rhinos. Also, my unattractive hair and our new stroller...double stroller that is!

Rob and Easton snorting with the pigs.

Today was another rare sunny day so we played outside in the yard after church. Some pics of the boys :




This week was mostly spent in the house. Rob went to London for a work conference and talked about the past, present and future of famous financial institutions...riveting. Today at church Easton made it through all of nursery without us which allowed us to go to all of our meetings...I think the first time since he was born! We also showed up a bit late to church which landed us a spot in the front row...yikes. Easton usually is occupied by cars and food on the floor of the back row. He actually was a stellar little buddy though and was quiet and not crazy the whole time. Maybe we'll sit in the front row more often!