Christmas and New Year

so we're back from Ireland and as always when writing one of these summary blog posts it is so difficult to remember everything and everyone. What is true is that we've had such a great time and are so priviledged to have such a wonderful family.

We flew out from Birmingham on Saturday 22nd and it was a leisulrly drive, quiet airport and an ok flight to Dublin. We picked up our hire car and drove the two hours down to Clogher, Kilmore near Carrick-on-Shannon to stay a week with Nana Olivia and Grandad Joe.

We spent Christmas Day with Pat, Ken, Sarah, Kathy, Jackie and Ciara and had a lovely meal. We've also had lots of visitors to the house, Vera playing with all her cousins and meeting all of Mark's siblings.

It was so lovely to see Vera wih all her Irish family and interacting with all her cousins. Some of my favourite memories include Vera doing Irish dancing with Grace and Luke.Well, Vera was just spinning around in the middle when Grace and Luke were dancing around on the floor.

She had such a great time running after and playing with her older cousins and got so many cuddles and attention from the oldest cousins, grandparents, aunties and uncles.

We spent New Year's Eve in Dublin and stayed with Aoife and Derek in their beautiful new house in Cabra. We drove up at around lunch time and had an early dinner in a lovely pub called Mulligans.
http://www.lmulligangrocer.com/#!

After Vera had gone to bed, we had drinks, snacks and a catch up with friends. So lovely to see everyone!

 We flew back today and apart from a proper toddler tantrum/hissy fit on the last ten minutes of the flight, Vera has been a great traveller!

 With auntie Ruth

 With my cousins:Luke and Grace (top) and Ciara (bottom)

 Grandad Joe and cousin Jackie

 Cuddle with auntie Pat

 Looking at the chickens with Luke and Grace

 With Nana

 With uncle Enda

 Cousin Kym

 Cousins Emily and Julie

 Laura, Rachel, Julie, Grace, Lily, Emily, Vera, Joe, Luke and Kym

Vera and mamma: New Year's Eve, Dublin