On Friday, we welcomed Grandpa and Grandma Dyrud, Bekah, and our friend Jen to Ireland for Spring Break week! I had told the boys they were coming earlier than I maybe should have, so we had made a countdown chain 17 days before. I'm sure it seemed like forever in their little minds, so they were very excited that the day was finally here!
The boys made the sign and managed not to let it blow away as we waited for the bus to come. Their little feet started tapping with excitement when they saw the bus come around the corner. These smiles are for Rebekah who took this picture. So good to have family here!
After driving the luggage home, I walked back to town so I could join them walking to our house. Our car doesn't fit passengers and luggage at the same time.
Many of the pictures in this blog are from Dad's or the girls' cameras. Dad took this one of the grandsons in front of our house.
After the all-night plane ride, Rebekah didn't take long in finding her bed and falling asleep. Jen had Aaron cuddle up with her for a picture while she was fast asleep.
Mom managed to coax her out of bed after a short nap so she would be able to sleep at night. You can see how well that worked.
Aaron was so happy to have Grandpa to color with him! 
Silas was giddy over the salted nuts they brought for Dad to snack on - the cashews in particular were a source of great joy!
We went to Rinville Park so they could wake up and move their legs! The boys had fun showing Grandpa and the girls their favorite playground.
Overlooking Galway Bay at Rinville The Aran Islands: Inishmore
On the 45-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Rebekah snuck in another nap.
Inishmore is the largest of the three Aran Islands at 13km long and 3 km wide. The attractions of these islands include the quiet landscape crisscrossed with dry-stone walls, beautiful coastal views, and several large ancient stone forts. In the 5th century, St Enda brought the gospel to the islands, starting a long monastic tradition. Protected for centuries by their isolated position, the islands today are a stronghold of traditional Irish culture with most of the islanders still speaking Irish. Farming, fishing, and tourism are the main occupations. The islands are also famous for their distinctive knitwear. I bought myself a hat, scarf, and mittens from a tiny shop. While busy knitting another scarf, the friendly owner told us of several famous Americans to whom she had sold her knitwear. Sharon Stone and I now have the same hat.
A football (soccer) game on the beach at Kilronan, the main port.
While I took this picture...
...Dad took this picture.
The islands were originally made of mainly limestone. 'Land-making', the ancient and arduous process of creating soil by covering bare rock with sand and seaweed, continues to this day!
We all rented bikes to tour the island at our own pace. It was a gorgeous day!
While I took this picture... ...Dad took this picture. The islands were originally made of mainly limestone. 'Land-making', the ancient and arduous process of creating soil by covering bare rock with sand and seaweed, continues to this day!We all rented bikes to tour the island at our own pace. It was a gorgeous day!
We arrived at our destination for a picnic lunch. This is the seal colony minus the seals.
We kind of felt like we were on a date since Mom kept all the kids at home.
Cute, little barnacles.
After 4000 years of moving rock around the island - making stone walls, forts, churches, homes, etc - you'd think they'd be finished with this task.
If you've read the previous blog, you can maybe guess what I thought of when I saw this cow...
We kind of felt like we were on a date since Mom kept all the kids at home. Cute, little barnacles. After 4000 years of moving rock around the island - making stone walls, forts, churches, homes, etc - you'd think they'd be finished with this task. If you've read the previous blog, you can maybe guess what I thought of when I saw this cow...I'm the King of the Woorrrrrrllld!!!
Kilmurvey Beach
Barely visible through the clouds, the Twelve Bens Mts of Connemara.
Kilmurvey Beach Barely visible through the clouds, the Twelve Bens Mts of Connemara. Horse-drawn carriage was another option for touring the island.
Leaving our bikes behind, we walked up to Dun Aonghasa, a stone fort built around 2000 BC, a world heritage site.
This is an arial view of the fort, otherwise it would be hard to explain it. The stony area outside the third wall is a ring of razor-sharp, pointed stone stakes set up as an obstacle for invaders.
Leaving our bikes behind, we walked up to Dun Aonghasa, a stone fort built around 2000 BC, a world heritage site. This is an arial view of the fort, otherwise it would be hard to explain it. The stony area outside the third wall is a ring of razor-sharp, pointed stone stakes set up as an obstacle for invaders. (It is not my picture, though we could have taken a plane ride to see it from the air.)
Inside the fort.
At the cliff's edge, 100 meters above the sea.
Looking over the thick wall of the fort across to the other side of the island.
Going into the inner part.
We continued on our bikes to the lighthouse on the highest point of the island...I should say, Dad continued on his bike. Daniel and I ditched ours half-way up the hill and walked the rest. Rebekah and Jen opted out of the climb altogether.
The view from the top. The cow pastures all have stone rainwater catchers like this one.
Seen from the lighthouse, this is Dun Eochla, another ancient stone fort.
We could see the Cliffs of Moher on the mainland.
Going back down the hill was not easy either. The road is loose rock. The hill is so steep, I had to use the brakes the whole way down - and I was not even riding my bike.
Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands.
The lighthouse and fort.
Kilronan, the main port.
Gathering seashells.
Teampull Bheanain, the ruins of the smallest church in Europe.
Dad figures we rode about 10 miles. It seemed like more to me. So I may be out of shape, but, in my defense, there were several hills and it was pretty windy. Although I was tired, I didn't wish we had taken the tour bus. It was a day meant to be spent outdoors - so beautiful!
We didn't miss it - the ferry goes back to the mainland only once a day.
Palm Sunday
'Silly faces', at Aaron's request.
After church, we dropped the girls off to explore Galway city while Dad, Aaron, and I walked along the promenade.
The girls, meanwhile, had found Eyre Square and Shop Street.
We met up at McDonagh's where most of us ate fish 'n' chips...
...Rebekah ate ketchup........and chicken.
Shop Street
Silas was afraid of the street performer, so Bekah pushed his stroller right up close and made the poor child shake the man's hand.
Inside the fort.
At the cliff's edge, 100 meters above the sea. 
Looking over the thick wall of the fort across to the other side of the island.
Going into the inner part.
We continued on our bikes to the lighthouse on the highest point of the island...I should say, Dad continued on his bike. Daniel and I ditched ours half-way up the hill and walked the rest. Rebekah and Jen opted out of the climb altogether.
The view from the top. The cow pastures all have stone rainwater catchers like this one.
Seen from the lighthouse, this is Dun Eochla, another ancient stone fort.
We could see the Cliffs of Moher on the mainland.
Going back down the hill was not easy either. The road is loose rock. The hill is so steep, I had to use the brakes the whole way down - and I was not even riding my bike.
Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands.
The lighthouse and fort.
Kilronan, the main port.
Gathering seashells.
Teampull Bheanain, the ruins of the smallest church in Europe.
Dad figures we rode about 10 miles. It seemed like more to me. So I may be out of shape, but, in my defense, there were several hills and it was pretty windy. Although I was tired, I didn't wish we had taken the tour bus. It was a day meant to be spent outdoors - so beautiful!
We didn't miss it - the ferry goes back to the mainland only once a day.Palm Sunday
'Silly faces', at Aaron's request.
After church, we dropped the girls off to explore Galway city while Dad, Aaron, and I walked along the promenade.
The girls, meanwhile, had found Eyre Square and Shop Street.
We met up at McDonagh's where most of us ate fish 'n' chips...
...Rebekah ate ketchup........and chicken.
Shop Street
Silas was afraid of the street performer, so Bekah pushed his stroller right up close and made the poor child shake the man's hand.Monday - Bunratty Castle
It rained all day long, but we were prepared.
Not these stairs AGAIN!
This time Silas was locked up in the baby carrier. This is Aaron being very quiet and not throwing sticks at the chickens.
"slippy"
A woman in the folk park bakes bread over the smoldering peat on the floor. We got to eat some.
Hmmm...debatable.
Puddle-jumping!
The Irish Wolfhounds
I'm pretty sure Dad wants one of these.
Back at home, warming up by the fire.
Dad was impressed at how close the water comes to our house at high tide. These swans had ventured over from their usual spot in Oranmore Village. We'd never seen them by our house before this, so I was excited! I shooed everyone out of the house to come see them.
We fed them some bread.
It rained all day long, but we were prepared.
Not these stairs AGAIN!
This time Silas was locked up in the baby carrier. This is Aaron being very quiet and not throwing sticks at the chickens.
"slippy"
A woman in the folk park bakes bread over the smoldering peat on the floor. We got to eat some.
Hmmm...debatable.
Puddle-jumping!
The Irish Wolfhounds
I'm pretty sure Dad wants one of these.
Back at home, warming up by the fire.
Dad was impressed at how close the water comes to our house at high tide. These swans had ventured over from their usual spot in Oranmore Village. We'd never seen them by our house before this, so I was excited! I shooed everyone out of the house to come see them.
We fed them some bread.No offense to the castle, but this was the highlight of my day!
