Summer time in Kansas

All work, and then play! We were there when the county fair was happening and when you have animals at the fair you have to be there to take care of them. My kids didn't balk and cry about

having to help out. Oh, no. They were up at 6 am fighting over who got to do the farm chores first. They fed the cattle, barn cats, chickens, and fetched the eggs from the hen house. All in a days work. Then you can play!

It was awfully hot too. Over 100. Yuck. What better way to cool off then with a trip to the creek. It grossed me out since I could see all the life crawling around in it and you couldn't see the bottom of the creek. My mind goes to places where there are leeches and little fish eating at your toes, while the little water spiders crawl over you... yuck.

Looking for crawdads.

Hannah got to drive the tractor and a pick up truck! She also learned how to carry chickens so they don't freak out.

Simon ran off during the fair and adopted a new family. He helped them with their calf and even learned how to rope.

Seth's little chicken won Reserved Champion. The adorable little chicken is very docile and let Seth touch her. Maybe it's because she can't see what's coming.

An adorable calf thought Seth's pants were edible and Seth thought that was super funny!

My little brother showed his hogs. Poor Pork Chop... your fate awaits you...

And what fair is complete without things like funnel cake.

The week went by too fast and the request for a longer trip next summer started before we even left. "We should come out for a whole month next time, Mom. No, wait. Two months!" So, until next summer I can think of sitting on the porch with my mom and watching the sun set on the farm.

Dublin

The River Liffey. Also, known as the Sniffy Liffey.

The last leg of our journey, Dublin. We flew in from Edinburgh.

Day 9- Sightseeing again. We saw Phoenix Park, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College where the Book of Kells is.

Phoenix Park. Deer roam free here. The park is twice the size of Central Park.

St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Bono's hotel.

U2 is obviously a big deal around here. They are pretty awesome after all. Joke I heard- What's the difference between God and Bono? God doesn't think he needs to be like Bono.

We walked from Trinity College to the Guinness Brewery.

Christ Church Cathedral.

Arthur Guinness signed a 9000 year lease for the land the brewery is on. I think he had some serious long term goals, or maybe they were drinking heavily.

Official beer at Guinness.

We had dinner at the oldest pub in Ireland, established in 1198! I had the Irish Stew and it was delicious.


Later in the evening we went to a bar close to the hotel where they had a comedy night. It was pretty entertaining. The comedians were novice, so some of the jokes were good, some not so much, and truly there were some we didn't understand.

Day 10- Side trip to Powerscourt and Glendalough. Powerscourt had beautiful gardens surrounding a rebuilt castle. I wish the orginal was still standing, but it burned down. Glendalough is an old Monastic settlement that was abandoned in the 10th century.


I walked up to the upper lake at Glendalough. It was really pretty, yet crowded.

Lower lake.

Upper lake.

We also did this optional evening of Irish dance, music, and traditional food. It so wasn't worth it. I think we are about 30 years too young to appreciate the show. I was expecting a pub atmosphere with actually traditional dishes, and good music. It was more of a Irish version of the Country Dinner Playhouse.

I am so glad Dan and I finally got to go on such an amazing trip. I hope we don't have to wait another 15 years for the next one! Some things we decided after the whole deal is, we can do this on our own without a tour company setting the pace, and we want to do a castle tour of the Scottish Highlands.