You'll have to indulge us in some brag time.  Out of over 500 auditions, Alaura was selected to participate in the annual All-State music festival in the treble choir.  She was so excited and had a fabulous time!  The concert consisted of 2 choirs, orchestra and band.  It was a wonderful night of music.  Those of you from South Canaan may remember Alaura's first singing performance when she was 3.  She's grown a bit since then!  The other kids have been busy enjoying the good ice skating this year.  The lakes froze before the snow, so we were able to skate the entire lake.  Below are pictures of our community skating party.  We have had a dusting of snow since then, but not much.  It looks as if it might develop into a bad winter for frozen pipes without the insulation the snow offers.  We hover in the single digits now.  Nose hair freezing temperatures!!  Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Alaura after the All-State music festival.

Clint at the community skating party.

Karina on the ice in her Green Bay cap!

Winston Churchill War Rooms

Our last day in London was spent at the Winston Churchill War Rooms.  A fascinating view of the underground rooms that Winston Churchill and his staff used during World War II.  Westminster Abbey was also on the agenda for the day, but we had a sick child so had to eliminate it (seeing the abbey, not the child).  As we think over our trip, we are amazed and thankful at how easy it was.  There is nothing we would change.  We are slowly adjusting to the 9 hour jet lag.  Santa came while we were gone and delivered 4 brand new 4 wheeler tires in our boot room.  What a blessing as ours had worn out the tread.  Mother Nature also delivered a present while we were gone.  As a result of the heavy rains, our basement had a lot of water in it.  We lost some grain and beans and the carpet in the girl's room was unable to be saved.  It could have been much worse.  It is still in the process of drying out.  Even though our grand tour is over, we still plan on keeping our blog current, so check in every once in a while to see what we're up to.  Hope you enjoyed the trip!

500 lb German bomb.

Secretary's room.

Churchill kitchen in underground war rooms.

Original map used in map room.

Winston Churchill's underground bedroom.

Underground meeting room.

Can anything be more British?

Big Ben (though Big Ben is actually only the bell).

Paris

The Louvre Museum.

Notre Dame from the Seine River.

From observation deck of Eiffel Tower.

Greetings to all.  It is hard to believe that our 3 week journey is over.  It has been an incredible time and we are so thankful for all of your prayers and support.  We fly back tomorrow, so will do a more detailed update on our blog when we return.  Yesterday we spent a wonderful day in Paris, France.  We arose early and took the train through the English and French countryside and reached Paris 2 hrs and 15 mins later.  The weather was warm and sunny.  I think we even got tanned, in October of all things!  We went to the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower and then ate our ham baguette on a boat sailing down the River Seine while listening to Ave Maria as we watched Notre Dame go by.  We then explored the Louvre Museum and saw the Mona Lisa.  Today was a trip to Winston Churchill bunker and underground war rooms.  Absolutely fascinating!!  Got to go now and pack.  We'll have to admit to being ready to eat a full meal.  I think sandwiches are off the menu for quite a while after we get home.  We'll post more in a few days after we get home.
Carry On.

Greetings from London!!

This will have to be brief.  We only have access to internet at a neighborhood McDonalds, of all places.  Just wanted to let you know we still have 6 kids and everyone is hanging in there.  We have had our bus tour of London, walked in Hyde Park, visited the British Museum, National Gallery and the London Zoo.  All in 2 days!!!  Looking forward to the 2 hour train ride to Paris tomorrow.  More when we can and we will try and include some pictures.

Workday

Aerial view of the grounds.

Summer at Drewstown.

Drewstown House from across the lake.

Stained glass window in main house.

Picture of the courtyard from roof of main house.  

Rainbow over the courtyard.

It is difficult to believe that our time in Ireland is drawing to a close.  We have spent the past few days relaxing and visiting with friends.  Yesterday also included a quick trip to Kells to see where Matt went to school.  Today we had a blast doing some outside projects at Drewstown House.  The kids have adapted very well to Ireland.  They have enjoyed learning new terminology and trying new food.  Biscuits have been a hit, of course, but we have also enjoyed Polish bread, cheeses from Ireland and Germany (red cheese and edom are the favorites), Belgium chocolates, German salami, corned beef and the ever popular fish and chips with red sauce.  Visiting with people has also been fun.  In Ireland, there is no such thing as a "quick question".  Every conversation is at least 20-30 minutes.  Matt went to drop in on a local farmer and I'm sure he won't be back for at least an hour or more.  The kids enjoy the fact that every visit always includes tea and a biscuit!  It has been refreshing not to see everyone talking on a cell phone.  Conversation is much more spontaneous. Tomorrow will be spent worshiping with the fellowship in Navan, having dinner with John and Robin and taking one last walk.  Monday we will be off to London.  Culture shock!!  We're not sure about internet access there, but imagine there should be access at our Bed and Breakfast.  We'll post when we can.

Edging in the courtyard.

 

Newgrange

Today the family went to Newgrange.  To be quite honest nobody knows what Newgrange is.  They don't know who built it because there is absolutely no writing anywhere to explain anything.  There are just swirly patterns on rocks and triangles above the door.  Newgrange is 500 years older than the pyramids of Giza.  That makes it about 5,000 years old.  Every winter solstice the sun comes in through an opening above the door and lights up the inner chamber for 17 minutes.  To get to the inner chamber you walk bent over in a low tunnel.  If you're claustrophobic don't go inside, just enjoy the view.
By: Karina
No pictures were allowed inside the chamber.

The upper opening is where light shone in to the
back of the monument for 17 mins. each year.

Carvings that date back to 3200 BC

Entrance to Newgrange.

The kids at Newgrange.  No, we don't know what
Clint was up to! 

River Boyne at Newgrange.

The River Boyne at the village of Slane.

Eva with Biscuit the dog and
Johanna with Sparky.

National Ploughing Championships

Sheep getting ready to be sheared.

Making new friends.

One of MANY huge tents.

Children's pony riding competition.

Sheep dogs are trained from puppyhood to herd sheep.  Their
masters have different calls to make the dog herd the sheep
in different directions.  The dogs start off by running around
the perimeter of the field and sneaking up behind them.  Then they
ran around the sheep or lay down.   The dog had to herd them
through three different gates and then a pen.  It was very
interesting to watch the dogs.  By: Tessa 

I like the Irish dancing.  And I like the
dresses.  They kicked their legs up
when they danced.  The music
was quick.  There were small, medium
and big kids.  By: Molly

Today was a wet day visiting the Irish National Ploughing Championships.  The enormity of it was a bit overwhelming at times.  Rows and rows of huge tents containing around 1,800 vendors/exhibitors placed in what were a farmer's fields a few short weeks ago.  On the outskirts are acres and acres of fields that farmers from all over the country will demonstrate their plowing skills in hopes of becoming the Irish champion.  The winner then moves on to European competitions.  The weather was wet and chilly, but that didn't stop the estimated 60,000 people from attending.  Among our favorite activities were the sheep dog trials, sheep shearing, the wellie throwing competition, Irish dancing and the animal exhibits.  All the heavy machinery was a hit as well.  Tomorrow we head on back up to Drewstown House for our last 5 days in Ireland.  Can't believe the time is going so quickly!

My favorite thing about the Ploughing was all the
cool, heavy machinery.  This is a New Holland farm
tractor.  All the different tractors were lined up ready
to plough the different fields.  It was really wet today.
By: Clint