Camp Shamrock Rocks!

Bailey, Maeve, and Laura

Keva, Bailey, Maeve and Clina the counselor

Brrrr!

Eve Wilson (camp mascot)

Even though Bailey and I didn't stay at camp the whole week we really enjoyed ourselves.  It wasn't freezing cold, we saw the sun a couple of times and the counselors and staff were great!  I will really miss being in the kitchen with David and Fiona.  Bailey made two new friends, Maeve and Laura, that are her age and have compatible personalities.  It looks like we will both be going back next year for the whole shooting match!  Enjoy the pictures.

Introducing Mr. Jr. Camp Shamrock!

After 8 days in the forest of Northern Ireland, Davis came home!  He had a blast, learned some new annoying camp songs, made new friends, ate like a king, saved up his spending money to buy Legos in Newcastle and was voted by the counselors as Mr. Jr. Camp Shamrock.  What an honor- especially on his first time out.  Our team mate Shay said the voting was based on whether the camper set fire to anything or not, if they didn't use swear words or get caught smoking cigarettes.  We are so proud.  Next up Bailey and Denise head off to girls' camp.  Pray for us.  Seriously. 

75%

Baseball?  Check.

Hot dogs?  Check.

Apple pie?  Check.

 

Chevrolet?  Not so much.  3 out of 4 isn't bad.  Happy 4th!

A funny thing happened on the way to the bathroom.

Our team mates, the Smiths, have been staying with us as they search for an apartment.  We have had a great time with them even amidst their stress of finding a place to call home.  Today they let an apartment in Raheny, just a couple of miles south of Badoyle.  For me that means less quality time with Ashlyn.  For them it means no longer living out of suitcases and being able to let their hair down in the privacy of their own home.

So, in the wee hours of the morning I heard the continuous 'ping, ping, ping' of water hitting metal.  Our bathroom's own version of water torture.  Very quietly I got out of Baileys bed, took the shower head down from its hook and placed it in the tub.  I turned around and saw Shay coming down the hall.  I wanted to make sure he knew I was there but not wake up anyone else so I whispered, "Shay."  Well,  he jumped out of his skin and said, "You scared the crud out of me!"  Then he ran back to bed.  I didn't know that his sisters used to do things to scare him and that wasn't my intention but I felt bad anyway.  Then I giggled and continued to do so after I went back to bed.  One for the memoirs.

The Smiths Are Back in Town!

Lace cap hydrangea

Zip line at Malahide Castle

My son the evil genius.

Bailey the beauty queen.

Ashlyn

Wednesday, 3 out of our 10 team members arrived safely in Dublin.  It is so good to be with the Smiths especially Ashlyn, aka my favorite team member.  Shay and Juli have been out beating the bush looking for the ideal place to live and do ministry.  We will keep you posted on their progress but for now we are happy to be sharing meals, bedrooms and bathroom space with them.  I'm pretty sure Ashlyn has already said Aunt Denise.

I See Dead People

Entering the hallowed halls of Trinity College

1824 Oregon Maple

Dublin Castle

Yummy fish and chips!

Carving under St. Michen's organ loft

Not too tired to practice riding without holding handlebars.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of sight seeing with Kaelin and Michaela Schaper, our friends from Ft. Smith, AR.  We started out at Trinity College to view the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells.  Then we made our way to the Chester Beatty Library which houses an extensive collection of ancient (as in 150-200 AD) Biblical writing as well as 17th and 18th century Islamic and Buddhist artifacts.  Mr. Beatty made his fortune in the Colorado gold mines with his good friend Herbert Hoover.  In his later years he moved from London to Dublin to build the library which he left to the people of Dublin.  Pretty amazing.  Then we had fish and chips in the park of St. Patrick's Cathedral before heading off to Christ's Church Cathedral.  Kaelin and Michaela paid to go in but we are saving ourselves for when Mom and Grandma Betty come to visit.  After that we jaunted off to St. Michen's church to see the well preserved bones of the long deceased in the underground vaults.  That experience was very surreal because we were able to touch the hand of the 'Crusader' buried there.  In fact, the 'Crusader' probably missed the Crusades by 100 years but he was still pretty old.  Several important Dublin families had crypts there too.  Legend says that Handel practiced his 'Messiah' at St. Michen's before playing it for real at Christ's Church later that night.  By the time we got home we were all pretty tired but we had a good day with our friends exploring Dublin.

While the cat is away...

the mice will go to Blooms in Phoenix Park with Annette and Leslie.  Can you say sunburn?  I can after walking around the garden show yesterday for 4 hours.  Davis, Bailey and I saw lots of beautiful gardens, flower arrangements, entertainers, artisans and carnival food. 

This is in my front garden.

Today Corey and Staci say "I do!"  Be praying for a great day for them as they start their married life together.  We our honored to be a part of their lives and Scott is grateful to be officiating this blessed event.  Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Coston!