Sarah's Visit

Although very busy with a crazy social calendar, Sarah had a chance to visit in November. Obviously I am not doing too well with the title/description of my blog because I haven't been updating for the longest time. We had a great time as the focus of the trip was mostly shopping though we did have time to squeeze a few other things into the agenda, including castles. I also made Sarah come to work with me at the Quarter Road Filling Station. Beginning at 6:45 in the morning. She LOVED it!!

Masquerade Ball (16 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

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September Scorcher! (128 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

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Thanks for coming!

John and I had a wonderful time while Lisa, Mike, Becky, and Justin were visiting this past week. It was a whirlwind week, the time seemed to fly by us, but it was wonderful all the same. While Lisa and Mike began their trip in London a few days earlier, the four met up in Dublin on the 8th where they spent the day walking through the city. John and I picked them up at the airport that night (although a few minutes after the planned meeting. oops!), and began our journey up to Annalong.

We introduced them to our neighbors (the cows and horses in the surrounding fields), the generator (our trusty source of energy), and the love nest (our cosy little garage/house) where they stayed the first night before heading to County Antrim the next day. Friday we spent the day in Carrickfergus and Belfast, and flew to Glasgow, Scotland that night. We spent Saturday on the bus tour of Glencoe, the Highlands, Loch Ness, and Inverness (12 HOURS). Sunday we walked about Edinburgh then flew back to Belfast. Monday was spent in the car, driving four hours to see the wonderful views from Slieve League in County Donegal only to arrive with the fog that lay heavy across the cliffs, blocking the wonderful view. 4 hours later, we were back in County Down for a barbeque at Jim and Mary's.

We crammed so much into such a short amount of time, and had the best time. Well, I know I did anyway. I hope everyone else had as much fun. It was so good to have people over from home and I am truly greatful for their time and effort spent planning the trip. The costs of a trip can be overwhelming, but the time spent with loved ones and friends is worth far far more. Thank you so much for spending your time and money with me. I didn't know how much I needed it, but now, looking back, I can see that I was desperate for the good times and laughter that always come along with our little gang and I will be forever thankful.

I've uploaded pictures. The link is below. There is some beautiful scenary and of course some silly pics of us within it. I hope to see all of you again soon.

Thanks again to Lisa, Mike, Becky, and Justin. I had the best time :)

Visitors!

I would like to officially announce that Becky, Justin, Lisa, and Mike will be coming for a visit in September and I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo excited. It will be good to have some fellow Americans over to converse with in American slang and hopefully without this Mourne accent I have acquired (it seems to lesson as I speak to other Americans). Some women from Boston were in the shop the other day and I asked where they were from in the states. I proceeded to tell them I was from Indiana and living over here after which they told me I definately had an accent and they wouldn't have known I wasn't Irish. Yikes! Has it really gotten that strong?

Long overdue post

Hey followers! I know this is long overdue, so I've posted quite a few pics on this one. There's some of the house, our Irish/American Independence Day, and John's trip to Romania. I am also being prompted to let you all know that John was attacked by mosquitoes while he was there (his description here). He was sought out and attacked and has been suffering since his trip with an unstoppable itching. (He's like a dog with fleas in my opinion). It's all you hear at night, nails tearing flesh, disgusting. He would also like you to know that he is tough and that is the only reason he has survived this disaster. I tried to pacify him with some meds I had acquired from my trip to Romania, but it turns out I gave him anal itch cream rather than bug itch cream. Simple mistake that happens more often than you think. Oops! He's overcome the worst of it, however, but would still appreciate any cards and flowers you may feel obliged to send.

June 2010 (74 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

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More Tadpoles (8 photos, 5 videos), by Hillary Marlatt

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More Tadpoles (8 photos, 3 videos), by Hillary Marlatt

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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The Wee Ones

I know all of you are just as excited as John and I watching our wee ones grow into adulthood. I always love it when other parents post pictures of the kids and with you all living so far away, I know you will love watching ours grow through pictures. I have videos too of the little tikes swimming around but I'm not sure how to post them. They amaze me every day. Every day is a learning experience for John and I as well as them. Just yesterday little Ivan (he's the youngest and has John's eyes) taught me how to do an amazing flip-backspin-twirl. I'll have to show you the next time we're at the pool. Hope you enjoy these as much as we do.

Updates on the kids.

Hey all! So...I definately have to take some more pics this week as ALL the tadpoles have emerged from their eggs and the eggs are mostly gone from them nibbling on them. Bad news that I found out when researching tadpoles on the internet: After the egg sacs have been eaten and the tadpoles are beginning to grow legs, they will eat each other if they have nothing else in there with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah! So I can't let our little ones start nibbling on each other so I will soon be buying cat food to feed them each day. Silly little tikes! Anything for attention. I'm sure you other moms out there know what I'm talking about. I'll be posting more pictures soon.

Tadpoles (13 photos), by Hillary Marlatt

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Spring Breakers

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Saint Patrick's Day

I was very excited this year to spend Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland. It made the day even better to have some friends over to celebrate and enjoy the day with me. Nathan, Emily, and I (John had to work) spent the day in Belfast, capital city of N. Ireland. We began the day by taking the city bus tour; seeing the Titanic Quarters, the peace walls, Stormont, and so much more! We then watched the parade and afterwards, did as all the Irish do on this day, visited the pubs. Guinness, Smithwicks, and several drinks later we found our way back to our cozy garage. I've inserted pictures I've taken and also some from the local papers. I was really impressed with the costumes and outfits and floats that day.

After Nathan and Emily left, Jenna and Adam came. We flew down to Cork one day while they were over and spent some time at the Blarney Castle, and yes, we all kissed the stone. Jenna has more pictures than I do, so if you want to see more, you'll have to ask her to show you them. We also went to the Belfast Castle for our dinner one evening. Gorgeous!! There is just so much to see over here, you should all come. We could go to a different place each time and then, by the time John and I move over, we would have seen the whole country. Come on, give me and excuse!

Visitors

Hey everybody!! This is a thank you to everyone who has come over to visit and to anyone thinking about coming. Having guests here this past two weeks has really lightened my spirit and brightened my mood. I know I get grumpy when I don't have much contact with my loved ones, but I didn't realize just how different I am. These past few weeks with Nathan, Emily, Jenna, and Adam over have shed some light on my behavior. I can be a real grouch. I guess you guys are like food to me, without you, I just can't go on. So keep on coming!!!!!!

Hey everyone!!! I know there isn't much chance of anyone reading this right now anyway, with the way that I have been MIA without my computer and skype, but just in case, I thought I would update while I'm at the library.

John and I have finally saved enough money to put the roof on the house. We are sending the cheque out later this week. I am so relieved and excited. It's about time there was a big step at what feels like a monster of a house.

We have some visitors coming at the end of this week, and then again the week after that. Nathan Duncan and a friend of his and Jenna Busald and Adam Schwering (John still laughs when I mention last names like these. He thinks they are so strange; nothing like all the McC...'s and O'....s that's common over here. )

If you have a few extra dollars, plan a trip. I would love to see anyone who wants to come over, and although we don't have electricity or heat without the generator powered up, we still have a good time over here. :)