Irish eyes are smilin'

Isn’t he getting so big? turned 2 months on St. Patrick's Day and his cooing and smiles melt my heart!  We feel so Lucky to have him, he was lucky to meet grandpa funny Fred, aunt Cheri and 3 of his cousins.

Rianne played leprechaun at Grandma’s house and was so excited she could hardly stand it we missed Ria & Heath on our trip but don’t worry not ALL the leprechauns were in Ireland.  

A sneaky leprechaun came while we were out of town he must have had too much time he changed all the pictures backwards got out all the pots and pans and move the baby furniture all around, we came home to a mess but we did find our shoes with goodies.

dream vacation

Well cross Ireland off the bucket list. On January 11th we finalized our plans to take this dream vacation with my best friend. Little did we know just 6 days later Bennett would be born, proof that God does have a sense of humor. So over spring break we traveled with Bennett (thanks to Audrey’s help getting his passport, if you are keeping track of the miracles that have come with this little boy I think we are currently at 294.

Bennett did so great with all the flying far more comfortable than Brant ;) We arrived in Dublin late on Saturday, went to the car rental place with our luggage and the baby, I worried that it might not fit in the trunk. We asked the clerk at the Rental car place, to be greeted with our first thick Irish accent telling us, “I’m not lookin’ at your bags I’m lookin’ at him.”(Brant). We upgraded and Brant maneuvered a stick shift vehicle on the opposite side of the road, using rotaries all over Ireland.

Sunday we went to church in Dublin, and found a cool place near our resort at CastleKnock. We also walked around Phoenix Park.

 

 We spent one day in Northern Ireland this is when it really hit me we were actually there not a dream but I was seeing those scenes I’ve only imagined seeing.

Giant’s Causeway

Rope Bridge

Castle from the movie leap year Dunamase


as you wish



Cliffs of Moher or if you are familiar with princess bride The Cliffs of Insanity

In Limerick Brant nearly ran over a tart in a buggy for lamb kabobs which were delicious.

Blarney castle probably my favorite stop, which I have to admit I was a little nervous that I had pumped it up more in my head but it came through and I loved the enchanted garden area, the castle was amazing and of course we kissed the blarney stone!

I loved the food, Queen of tarts was amazing!

We made so many memories and saw so much of Ireland, if I included it all this would be the longest post ever. It was the trip of a lifetime with my best friends and this miracle was up for the adventure.

BRILLIANT!

Delicious Dozen

We have been married 12 years and both of us thought of food. I did a dozen eggs filled with things I love about Brant.

He went for doughnuts they are circle like a ring right, eternal.

We kept the celebration simple because we have a big trip coming up, I was in charge because it was an even year. We went to dinner just the 2 of us and got a baby sitter for all 3 kids. It was all I could do to leave Bennett that long. Dozens of memories and moments of laughter and dozens more to come!

Lots of Leapin'

Rianne and heath both finished another season of basketball and improved by leaps and bounds. No picture because it is hard to get good pictures in the gym. Sports seem to bring out their personalities when they played against a friends team Rianne didn’t like it, Heath on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed not letting his friend get the ball. Rianne was so quick to give high fives to teammates. Heath dribbled right out of his shoe then passed the ball went back picked up his shoe tucked it in his chin and continued to call for the ball, wish I had a video of it, so funny. Heath is starting to get the game better and after his friend Luke had a football birthday party he seems more interested in how to play within the rules.

It only comes around every four years so we had a little leap day party which had the kids leaping for joy.

And Brant even enjoyed the snacks, he made this one.   

Heath and Dylan

And we have to include our leapin’ little man

I was ready to leap into St. Patrick’s day so we had a Break the fast, top o the morning dinner with friends because we will be out of town and unable to host our Annual Pot O Luck

Green drinks all around!