Sorry for the temporary blog malfunction. Hopefully you can now see all the photos...

Hello! Things here in Ireland are good. Chris is getting settled and negotiating with immigration. I have wrapped up the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and have moved on to the gastrointestinal and renal systems. We are enjoying being together and having some laughs getting used to living together again.

We bought a new car a couple weeks ago...a 95 Toyota Corolla hatchback. It stays parked during the week but it as it has given us a whole lot of freedom to explore on the weekends. Here's a bunch of pictures of what we've been up to....

Chris' trip up north to Donegal to buy the car...

Our new wheels!! "Blue Thunder"

(Credit to the Quinn's for naming the car)

We did a little hike in Connemara last weekend. Wind and rain cut the hike shorter than planned but we enjoyed ourselves anyway....

Nice windy wet spot for a picnic lunch...

This past weekend, our good friends Ryan and Desiree Quinn came to visit us from Nigeria. Friday was my birthday and to celebrate, we went to a small town called Gort to attend a traditional Irish party called a Ceili. It was very Irish!!! There was great traditional music, irish dancing, tea, sandwiches, friends, and lots of fun!! My friend Angela surprised me with a cake on the bonnet of her car in the parking lot...

Angela and her boyfriend Eoghan (pronounced Owen)

Chris and I practicing our Irish dance moves after a lesson from Angela. We learned a Waltz and some set dances. It was a bit embarassing cuz we were clearly rookies in a room full of very talented people. The trouble is that the song always seems to end just when you're getting the hang of it. Great fun though!!

Ryan, Des and us

Saturday morning we drove north to Wesport, County Mayo, to climb Ireland's Holy mountain called Croagh Patrick (765m). It has been the site of Pagan worship since 3000 B.C. In 441 A.D., Saint Patrick is said to have spent 40 days on the mountain top fasting and praying for the Irish. He also apparently cast all the snakes out of Ireland, a deed which I am especially thankful for! It is now the site of an annual Catholic Pilgrimage (which many people complete barefoot) and there is a small church on top where services take place regularly in the summer.

Starting out...

Hiking in the fog...a taste of Irish weather for Ryan and Des

There are steps for pilgrims to follow all the way to the top. This plaque describes what they are meant to do when they arrive at the top. The little doll is 'Flat Stephanie', Ryan and Desiree's travel companion. She belongs to a young girl in the U.S. and is currently on a journey to see as much of the world as possible before returning home with photos and stories to share with her owner (for an elementary school project).

Washrooms at the top of the mountain!!

At the church on the summit

Des and I on the way down

View of Clew Bay

Looking back at the summit

Sunday was a very nice sunny day so we went down to Blackrock beach and had a very brief dip in the ocean (currently about 5-7 degrees celcius). It was very refreshing and we didn't stay in long (though we were brave enough to jump in a second time).

Chris' face says it all!!

Warming up in the sun.

Most exciting of all is that we had a new little nephew born on Saturday, Feb. 24th to Lori and Jason (8lbs, 8oz). We are very sad that we're not there to meet him. His name is Gavin Luke Armstrong and he and his Mom and Dad are all doing well.

Cute as a button!!

That's all for now! K&C