Issues

Well, "tomorrow" has turned into two weeks later. I forgot when I promised the next round of Ireland pictures that Don was taking a block course and thus needing the computer during the day. We have all the Ireland photos on his laptop which was at school with him. Then, when that was finished we finally downloaded the newest version of iLife to our Macs which has changed the way we need to upload pics. We are trying to figure out how to upload pictures from iPhoto to blogger. We know there has to be an easier way than what we've been doing, it just simply takes time to sit down and figure it out. We have figured out how to do it on Facebook, which has turned out to be easier. So, needless to say . . . the Ireland Day 2 and following pics are coming . . . but will be uploaded to facebook before blogger. So, if you are a Facebooker - Good News! We'll have new Ireland pics to come, if not, please continue to be patient with the authors of this blog as we seek to expedite our time and be effective bloggers. =) No need to comment, there is no pictures with this post, unless you are a Mac user with insight into our issue.

Ireland - Day 1

Top of the mornin' to ya!

I'm going to do my best to bring out some of the best pictures to capture our adventure to Ireland. We took well over 500 photos and it is quite overwhelming to decide which ones best illustrate the beauty of this country. I'm sorry that we can't do a slide show, which would cut down the actual length of these posts, but then our #1 fan to our blog - my mommy - wouldn't be able to see the photos. So, please bear with us as we seek to encapsulate our very wonderful trip.

Day 1 - Day of Travel and Adjustment
We met up with our good buddies and travel companions, TJ and Shannon Logsdon (who have done a very great job on their blog as well - so go here to check it out from their vantage point). We drove to DC and ate a scrumptious last American meal made by our friends Ben and Carissa Smith. Carissa then took us to the airport and we started our very long day of travel. We flew out at 7:15 or so Sunday evening, and arrived in Ireland at 7:00 ish AM - Ireland time. So, in what we had read to beat jet lag, we needed to stay up until our normal bed time. So, we spent the day, getting to our accommodations and acquainting ourselves with the little town of Adare. (We did sneak in a little nap, which helped enough to make it through until 9 or 10 o'clock).



Our faithful and fun travel companions - TJ and Shannon (in green to honor Ireland!)



Don and I having fun at the airport!



Adare Manor - The mansion on the property where we stayed. We stayed at the town-homes at a separate section of the property.



Adventures on the grounds - we found a garden, the ritzy golf course, a pet cemetary, one of the oldest Cedars of Lebanon in Ireland, and a hobbit hole (or maybe it was just the firewood shed).



TJ and Shannon walking in the rain, around the gardens and stone walls.



The first Irish food at an authentic Irish Pub! The guys got real used to us girls saying "We're Hungry".



The four of us at the entrance to the Manor.



The boys having fun in the Manor.



In the library of the Manor



Prego Break - with the Peanut M&M's



The Manor at Night



Bailey's Coffee - in the library - many tired, giddy laughs were had around this little table that night! Good Memories!



Don with his Bailey's Coffee next to the fire.

. . . for day two and following . . . check back to The Hines' Herald tomorrow! (or visit Katrina's Facebook for all of day 1's photos)