April 28 - Big Brothers 1

Daniel's big brothers, Mark and Michael, are here for a visit!

For a while we weren't sure if they'd be able to get here because of the volcano in Iceland which had stopped air travel in Europe. When the airlines got going again, we went ahead and made the countdown chain!

Just a naughty incedent one day in the week before they came. Thankfully they were all washable markers!

Aaron made welcome signs. (If you look closely, you can barely make out 'Mark' after he colored a house all around it.) We waited for them at the bus stop.

Uncle Mark

Cousins Julia and Annelise sent some gifts and artwork for the boys :)

We went to the park to play for a while. Daniel was at work...but excited to have the rest of the week off!

Uncle Michael - teaching Moriah to walk :)

Then we showed them the Franciscan Friary.

Treasures from their suitcases! Silas had been asking them all day what they had in their suitcases...he's been spoiled by the visitors we've had already. Uncle Mark and Uncle Michael did not disappoint!

A new Dukes of Hazard car for each of them! Their old one has been repaired dozens of times ever since Daniel showed Aaron how to drive it off a jump.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9t_A-kOJTE

Uncle Michael

Moriah loving her new doll :)

A remote-control helicopter. Aaron is pretty good at it. Silas just laughs and laughs, but has a healthy fear when it gets too close to his head!

It entertains everybody!

Thursday - Carne Golf Links, County Mayo

I can't really comment on these pictures...I wasn't there and I know almost nothing about golfing. But I thank Mark for taking his camera and bringing home all these photos to share - I was pleasantly surprised since none of these men are the picture-taking type. Maybe we can add captions later if any of them wants to help me with it.

They had dry weather all day!

After supper, Moriah got a lick of her first chocolate...she liked it.
I think she was thinking, "Why are you taking a picture when you could be giving me more chocolate?"

Or...

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

April 18 - Day at the Beach

Last Saturday...

This is the very first time Moriah pulled herself to standing - and she was quite proud!

We were on our way to the beach on the other side of Galway City. Here, we're on the main road from the southeast into the city. This is a funeral procession. In Ireland the mourners often walk behind the hearse from the church to the cemetery. It took an extra 45 minutes to go about 1.5 miles behind them. What is amazing to us is the laid-back nature of the Irish people. No driver appeared annoyed or rushed like most Americans would be if this were tradition in the US. We've noticed overall that drivers are very patient and extremely courteous here.

This was our first time to Silverstrand Beach on the west side of Galway. It wasn't very warm, but the boys were excited to use their new shovels and pails.

I had bought a kite the day before. Today, of course, was the least windy day we've had since we've lived here. I'm sure we'll get a chance to fly the kite soon.