The Hunsakers come for a visit!

Julie, Cameron, Baylie, Bryndie and Payton came to visit us! We had a great time together and enjoyed every minute.

They flew into Dublin, rented a car and drove to Belfast. We met them at Shaw's bridge. It was sure fun to see the kids!!

After the long flight and two hours in the car, they were ready to get out and play!

We couldn't believe how much they had grown!

It was good to see Julie and Cameron too!!!

While they were here we went to several parks and playgrounds. They were such good little vacation-ers!

We found a zip line at Tanaghmore gardens.

Here's Julie swinging in the air!

The end of the rock maze! We all made it out with a little help from Baylie!

Little Leprechauns!

Lough Neagh....good thing we were there before the May flies come!!!!

These little guys waddled over to watch the kids play at the playground! We enjoyed the Ireland countryside and all the beautiful parks!

Carrickfurgus Castle

We were all pretty excited to go to our "first" castle! Carrickfurgus is a great castle and the kids really enjoyed it.

Payton trying on the armour in the gift shop. We did have fun buying knights and princesses!

Royalty!!!!

Julie, ready for the enemy.....

The castles in Ireland are wonderful and we sure had fun at this one!!

A very special day!

The highlight of the Hunsaker's trip to Ireland was Bryndie's baptism. Bryndie turned 8 in February and decided to be baptized here so we could attend. Bryndie wore the dress that her mom and sister were baptized in.

Bryndie was baptized in the Portadown Ward which is a very special ward to us. The whole ward was there in attendance and the YSA choir came to sing which made the evening all the better! Bryndie was baptized by her father and confirmed by her grandpa. The whole family participated. When Bryndie came up out of the water she had a big smile on her face and exclaimed "Wow"!!! It was pretty special!

After the baptism, the ward had a social with lots of yummy food. Mena and the FHE group had this cake made for Bryndie, and she was showered with gifts. It was fun for our family and friends to meet each other!

We are so thankful for Bryndie and the decision she made to be baptized. It was a very special day and one we will not forget. Julie said now we need to go on another mission when Payton is 8....we'll see!

The Hunsakers in Northern Ireland

One day while the Hunsakers were here, we went on the bus tour of Belfast. This is Stormont, the government building.

The Grand Opera House.

The doll on the ball, although you can't see the ball!

The Europa Hotel is the most bombed hotel in the world....

The open top bus. We were lucky this time and had a nice day.

The Victoria Square dome.

Baylie, Payton and Bryndie downtown Belfast.

Belfast Castle. We had fun trying to find all the "cats" in the garden and around the house.

The gardens were beautiful. Everyone (but grandma) enjoyed rolling down the hills....I enjoyed the flowers!

One of our favorite things to do is drive up the Antrim coast.

Eating at The Nook...

Heading down to the rope bridge...everyone crossed with success!

On the giant's boot...

The Giant's Causeway.

When we reached Dunluce castle, it was closed again! One day we will make it there on time!

Some hiked down to the bottom of the castle....

Payton, waving to grandma!

The girls were pretending they were on a ship! Good imaginations!

Definitely one of my favorite castles!

Bryndie wanted to see how cold the water was so she and Julie walked down to the beach....brrrr!!!!

The Mussendem Temple is another favorite place. The large ruins of the bishop's house sits on the hill overlooking the sea.

This is the study...can you imagine???

While everyone was exploring the temple, Payton and I waited in the car since he was "too tired"......as we were waiting, the farmer came by with food for the sheep. He went through the gate just down the road from us and pretty soon we heard sheep bleating.....lots of sheep! then over the hill, following the farmer's truck, came at least 200 sheep! All bleating!!! It was so much fun to see them pass right by us! Birch had my camera, so I couldn't get pictures... but I think Payton and I were in the right place that day!

Another day we went to Omagh to the Ulster-American folk museum. It was a fun museum with lots of hands on things to do.

All the cottages are originals that have been brought in from different places.

Here's Julie, cleaning the cottage!

In this cottage, there was a woman making scones and pancakes over the fire. She also showed us how to spin wool on the spinning wheel.

Bryndie by the turf pile.

I would love this stone wall in front of my house!

After visiting all of Ireland we walked down this little street.....got our boarding passes ....

Boarded the ship, and landed in America! It was a great museum!

After Omagh, we went to Donegal. Even though Donegal is north on the island, it is actually part of the south, or the Republic.

We ate at The Harbour and met a wonderful lady who told us where to go and found us a great Bed & Breakfast to stay in.

The fireplace was just like ours in Lurgan!

We went across the street and saw some Irish dancers! That was a fun thing. They were very good! They were performing at a hotel in town.

Fun music and fun dancing!

Our B&B

I loved the colors in the bedroom...

Donegal Castle.

After shopping in town we headed up the coast to Slieve League. It was well worth the trip! Absolutely beautiful!

The highest cliffs in Europe!

We couldn't have asked for a better day! The sun on the ocean was brillant!!

We are so glad we saw this natural wonder...we may have to go back!

Grinan of Aileach, another ancient ruin.....

Breathtaking view of Ireland, every way you look!

We found this dragon in Donegal at the Castle Hotel.

The Castle Hotel...unforunately it wasn't open the night we needed a room!!

We found this little Hansel and Gretel cottage tucked away in the woods.......

We ate our picnic lunch and the kids played....aren't they cute? It was so nice to just enjoy the moment! No schedules or time commitments!

After returning to Belfast, we went to Newcastle. I think this is still one of my favorite villages.

We enjoyed visiting the shops, eating at the diner, and riding the bumper cars!

Always fun to look in the mirrored ball....

And nothing like walking along the beach looking for shells and pretty rocks!

This is Inch Abbey.

Bryndie and Payton.....

I never get tired of the ruins and their history. This is a magical land of lengends!

Dundrum Castle......

We loved having the Hunsakers here to visit with us and to share our experience in Ireland. The time went way to quick but the memories will last forever!