England/Ireland Highlights: Post 2

One of my favorite things about going from England to Ireland was seeing the dramatic difference in the landscape. And because I hardly suffered from jet lag (miraculously really), I didn't take many car naps and got to enjoy it all. We took an overnight ferry from Wales to Ireland and proceeded to drive across the southern portion of the country to get to the south west peninsula known as the Dingle Peninsula, stopping along the way at cool castles and former monasteries and abbeys. And really, how could you not already love an area called Dingle? It's hilarious.

monastery that I thought was so cool but unfortunately cannot remember the name of

Rock of Cashel, seat of many Irish, medieval monarch, and now mostly just a cemetery, but really cool

the wall at the Rock of Cashel that overlooks the countryside and one of the cool monasteries that surrounds the hill/castle

on the drive around the Dingle Peninsula, unfortunately there was so much fog

Atlantic Ocean view (my cheerleading moves need work apparently...)

city of Dingle harbor, clearly the fog burned off

drive up the western coast of Ireland

cool castle just sitting there on the side of the road as we drove through the country

The saddest part of this trip was that we really wanted to go to the Cliffs of Moher but when we got to the site the fog had set in again and there was zero visibility. Unfortunately for us, everyone said this was the wettest summer in Ireland on record. We had lots of rain (not new for Oregonians) but that meant lots of fog and that was the saddest part. Also, we have zero pictures of Dublin, someone forgot the camera that day... But we took a tour of Trinity College, saw the Book of Kells.

Happy Anniversary!

29 years ago on this day, June 24, 1983, my parents got married. And look how adorable they are:

So, Happy Anniversary Mama and Papa!

I love you and am glad you got married 29 years ago.

Christmas, St. Louis, MO 1987

I'm guessing on the date for this picture. But I'm guessing it's 1987 because I look about four and Jess looks about two and if it was Christmas 1988 Cami would have been born and posing with us. We lived in St. Louis from 1985-1989 while my dad was in medical school. I can't figure out if I have a lot of memories of my actual experiences in St. Louis or if I just think I remember things because we have awesome home videos from those years. Either way, I kind of think of St. Louis as a haven for a toddler. (I highly doubt that is the real case.)

Anyway, point of the post is that, Jess is moving to Brooklyn, NY tomorrow. I am going to miss having her only 10 minutes down the road. It's been so convenient to be able to have her pop over or for us to plan a last minute outing on a Saturday afternoon, or to have her husband, so kindly, help me move something heavy using his big company truck. I'm excited for her to be in New York though, she will love it, she has always wanted to live there, and I'll have an easy place to stay when I come into town. More NYC trips on the horizon? Probably. Hooray!

And if you were wondering, she's also recovering from her bike accident. My mom came out to help them pack up their house and Jess can more or less successfully walk around.

Paris 1996 or 1997

Emma, Cami, Me, Jess, Rachel: Sacre Coeur, Paris

I look so geeky in this picture. I remember feeling the like only kid that wore a long coat like that. All the other kids at school were wearing sports teams Starter jackets. They were the coolest. Well, everyone thought they were the coolest. I didn't really have a sports team but I remember wishing I did so I could have a jacket instead of my blue one (above). I also remember the kids talking about how their cousin, cousin's friend, friend etc was mugged or even shot for their jacket. In my 12 year old mind, something worth getting shot at must be pretty cool. Yeah, I was so very clearly a dork.

Another confession of my dorkiness that year? Tupac died, I was 12, everyone seemed to be talking about it, some were crying, and I had no idea who they were talking about.

But what I really love about this picture is how cute my sisters look, especially Rachel with her little head of blonde curls. She was cute and I was just beginning my awkward years. And I hadn't even heard of Tupac, but I could sing every Beatles song and a significant amount of the Eagles, Credence Clearwater Revival, Earth, Wind and Fire and Doobie Brothers.

Holland, 1991

Cami, Jess, me, Emma

In 1990 we were lucky enough to move to a little town in Germany for two years. My dad was stationed at Worms Army Base and we lived in a cute little town called Osthofen. I was six. Here's your old classic Richey family of the week. Holland circa 1991.

Things I remember from that trip:

• I didn't have a proper coat, just a rain slicker. I think I forgot to pack it. So, to keep me warm I wrapped my ratty blanket around my torso and put my rain slicker over the top. I lost it and then later found it 30 seconds after a pair of old Dutch women picked it up by a corner, examining it warily between them. 
• Lots and lots of tulips
• Wanting wooden clogs until I tried them on.
• Being cold.

The typical things a 7 year old remembers...

Cousins, 1986

When my dad was in medical school we'd spend the summers with my grandparents in Fresno. Since both my parents grew up there we had ample time to hang out at both houses. My mom's parents had fruit trees in the backyard, a half basketball court, a porch swing and sometimes a mini pool. My dad's parents had a trampoline, a play house, chickens and a soft toilet seat in the master bathroom. Summers were spent with lots of cousins. 

Fresno still seems to hold some kind of idea of perfection in my mind. Those carefree childhood summers must have been awesome.

me with cousins Kristi and Ashley.

best part of these photos are our bellies hanging out

Classic Family Pictures

I just spent the last hour and a half scanning old photos. I love being at my parents house.