Limericks and Leprechauns

As soon as we found out we were pregnant Matt immediately decided that we NEEDED to go on a trip (note: within the last 6-7 months we had been to Brazil, Argentina, Iceland, Mexico, and UT).  Needless to say, I obliged and we had a wonderful time!  Ireland was preceded by NYC (see past blog).  We looked for a more chill trip because we didn't know how I would be feeling at 5 months pregnant; not too strange of food, English speaking, easy to get around, etc… Ireland turned out to be the hot ticket - and clearly Ireland knew it was our baby moon, because we didn't get rained on once.  I think it might be some kind of record.  Irish people are lovely, over the top friendly, and the landscape is ridiculously quaint and post card like.  Cheers to going back sometime soon!

We started our trip off in Dublin.

The Brazen Head is Ireland's Oldest Pub.  In the evenings they offer a sit down dinner with a traditional  story teller and music as part of the entertainment.

The Morgan Hotel.  I think this was room #3… we were continually upgraded… couldn't get to a room where we couldn't hear the thumping bass of the night club down below.  I don't think we slept the whole night -  literally.  Then at 3 am, a trumpeter chose to serenade us outside of our window.  I may have cried.

Don't mind the red nose, I did have a cold the entire trip.  

Precious little pubs and live music abound.  

We attended a mass in Christ Church Cathedral in hopes to hear their famous choir.  They didn't disappoint, it was ethereal and beautiful.

Always ready for a brawl.

Loading up on Vitamin C to try to combat the cold.  

Gorgeous library at Trinity College just past the Book of Kels exhibit

on our way to the Adare Manor we made a stop in Kilkenny to tour the town and a few castles.  

Our ginormous hotel room at the Adare Manor - yes, two fire places.  They were just putting up Christmas Decorations in the lobby that were simply stunning.  

Our trusty steed - note the continual sunshine.  

The Adare Manor in all it's glory.  It sat on 800 acres with a river and a golf course.  

The falconry was one of the stand out moments of the entire trip.  These birds were so gentle, and many likes to be pet and snuggled.  After we left Matt concluded that he wanted an owl for Christmas, and wasn't kidding.  

Oscar was the bird with the most sass.  He was hissing at us and pecking Matt when he got too close.  The best part was when our guide told us what a good boy he was being, while he hissed at us.  

Again… watery eyes and a red nose, but look at these fabulous birds!

Later in the trip we visited the Bunrady castle… naturally Matt would gravitate towards the dungeon.  

And all that jazz

The windy cliffs of Moher.  I added the windy… but it was well, windy.  

A little stop off at Galway on our way to the Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle; a true show stopper

When in Rome… er, Ireland

Fireplaces for fireplaces, and thank goodness… it was chilly

Matt had to wear a "jacket" to dinner at the Ashford's restaurant.  He didn't bring one, and they didn't "Exactly" have his size.  

Fresh flowers everywhere

Needless to say there was no shortage of scones and clotted cream

"tea" in the drawing room… seriously

The news has been spread...

Wow, has our blog really become a wasteland of old posts?  Well folks (and by folks I mean the 3 people who might read this blog), there's almost a new year at hand and we're determined to keep this baby updated with the events of our lives.  Last month, we were lucky enough to go to the big apple for a few and this is how it went.

We arrived and had a few minutes to go to the Shake Shack to sample some of what basically is, the east coast's version of Inn-N- Out burger.  Good burgers and shakes but getting a seat was analogous to discovering electricity or making a toupee look natural, which is to say, it was almost impossible.

 Phantom rocked.  We both had seen it when we were in junior high.  Quintessential broadway musical.

 We stayed at the Out NYC, a cool modern, gay hotel.  We've stayed at gay hotels in the past and have always had a good experience.  Go gays!

 A lot of cool flags on 5th avenue.

 Dined at Momofuku.  Sorry folks but this place is overrated.  Not that it was bad but the hype isn't deserved from this diner's perspective.

 Spent some time in Times Square.  Not my favorite part of the city but much like Vegas, you've gotta go check it out if you've never been.

 FAO Schwartz, superlative toy store.  And one of our favorite parts of new york.  We played with toys and looked at unusual candy from around the world.  Just what this kid needs to feel like a kid again.

 We were the only adults to venture onto the famous, touch activated piano.  Sadly, we both sucked...

 Max Brenner is the chocolate king, here's me getting my fix.

 Candy likes her candy extra long...

 We saw Newsies and Cinderella on Broadway.  Both were good but Cinderella was much better and included a bigger production.  Can anyone name the guy in the lower right of this pic?  We were surprised to see him there!

The donut plant.  A magical land filled with happiness and gourmet styled donuts.  So freakin' delicious.

Stayed at the W downtown after we got back from Ireland.  Here's Candice enjoying the corner views.

The World Trade Center was visible from our hotel.  

Beautiful ceiling at the Dubbs.

 Requisite Brooklyn Bridge crossing...

 Unbelievably tasty and cheap dumplings from a massively crowded Chinese dumpling restaurant, that I'm not sure could've passed the state health requirements.  

Gotta have a little nature when in the middle of an urban oasis - contemplating life in Central Park.

Things I love about NYC:
1.  Great food.
2.  Amazing shopping.
3.  The best architecture in the US.
4.  Culturally innovative.  Where did the cupcake craze come from?  NYC.  Who started cool food trucks?  NYC.  You get the point.
5.  Great display of the arts.
6.  Central park.
7.  Best museums outside of London.

Things I love less about NYC:
1.  It's dirty.
2.  A lot of people smoke.
3.  Spaces are small.  There are a lot of good things about small spaces but when you're 230lbs and have 57" shoulders, it can leave you feeling like a bull in a china shop.
4.  NYC forces you to be outside.  Being outside is great if the weather is nice and you aren't schlepping around mountains of wares.  When the opposite is true, it is a surefire way to make one miserably unhappy (see carrying 6 Christmas bags in the rain with nay a taxi to be found for miles).  Carrying that much stuff, I wasn't about to try a rush hour subway trip either.
5.  It's more on the expensive side.
6.  There are a lot of people in a relatively small area.  There are a lot of good things about that but it can leave me feeling like a rat in a maze as well.  Also, I usually start off but trying to bend, twist and mold myself around other passer byers as to not run into them.  By the end of this last trip, I pledged that if they weren't going to move, then I wasn't going to move.  This usually resulted in my shoulder checking them into oblivion.  Post collision comments or gasps were priceless.

Overall, NYC is one of the worlds best cities.  I just wouldn't want to live there unless I were a billionaire.