Happy Father's day

Father’s Day started off with another 100 km cycle, this time with Trevor to Kilbeggan, Mullingar, and back over the greenway at a respectable 29.3 km/h. We treated ourselves to an ice cream when we got back to Athlone.

Back home, I enjoyed the garden where the Californian poppies are in bloom with a cool glass of nice IPA beer at the pond. While choosing a nice spot for 'Harold' the king frog, my kids' Father's Day gift, we put him between the water lilies in the pond. Finally, we all went for hamburgers in the re-opened Coosan Inn.

Sunset at Coosan Point

Morocco day 4; Camels and Fire Works

Before meeting for our next excursion, we had lunch in a more upmarket restaurant where we were able to get an alcoholic drink—the only time in this city! We enjoyed a refreshing Casablanca beer.

The excursion itself turned out to be the best value for an unforgettable experience ever! We rode camels into the sunset in the Agafay Desert while taking in the magnificent scenery. Afterward, we sat down for a delicious, authentic Berber meal, followed by traditional music and a spectacular show by fire dancers. We paid less than €25 per person for the entire evening! The night concluded with fireworks, which apparently happen every night, but for us, it was the perfect way to celebrate the New Year—a fact that is otherwise quite subtle here in Morocco.
Here is the photo album for this excursion

St. Stephen's Day Party Restored!

After yesterday’s break from tradition, we brought back a massive favorite today. For the first time since COVID, we finally had our big St. Stephen’s Day party! Paula hosted everyone in Tullamore, and it was honestly so great to catch up with so many faces we haven't seen in a while. You can see some of the boy cousins in the photo below—it was brilliant to have the gang back together. Thanks Paula!

Christmas Day

 Breaking with tradition can be a breath of fresh air. This year, Giselle and Douwe didn’t insist on tearing into their presents at the crack of dawn Instead, the girls headed over to church in Killucan for mass with some of the Nugents (some over from Australia). . We ended up having a late breakfast and saved the gift-opening for afterward. It made for a much more relaxed and peaceful Christmas Day for everyone!

Christmas Decorations

Rudolf is back! He's sitting in his usual spot on the banister, keeping a watchful eye on the Christmas tree—which, by the way, Giselle and Douwe have once again decorated absolutely beautifully. The Christmas season has officially arrived!

Advent Calendar

For Douwe and Giselle, Christmas officially kicks off when the big reindeer advent calendar appears! It's our tradition to load those 24 drawers with a pair of chocolates for each day. This year feels a little different, though. Since they'll be at college for the first two weeks of Advent, they won't be here to grab those treats every weekday morning. Adulting means delayed chocolate gratification, I guess!

Post-Wedding Bliss

It's such a lovely feeling when everyone gathers for breakfast the next morning. It turns the celebration into a mini-reunion and gives you a relaxed chance to catch up with the newlyweds (now officially Mr. and Mrs.!) and relive the best bits of the night before.

And an informal family album is a must! Those relaxed, candid shots are often the ones everyone loves the most.

Wedding Chloe & David

Today we hit the K-Club in County Kildare for Chloe and David's wedding! I had to wear black-tie for the first time ever because the invitation insisted—and honestly, it's not half bad. The only problem is these seriously uncomfortable shoes! Ouch. But hey, it's a great day in a gorgeous setting. David and Chloe look absolutely beaming, which is the main thing! After a relatively small crowd for the ceremony and dinner, we're now joining the party, and it looks like a whole lot more of the Nugents have arrived to get the real celebration started!

Keilana is 18

 Keilana and Giselle share the same birthday and Keilana is 18 this year, so both had to have big party's and we had to make suer we didn't clash! So tonight was Keilana's turn:

Giselle's 21st Birthday Party

 Tonight we celebrate and we have a full house! Loads of family and friend are over of course for Giselle and we have a great night!
Click here for the full album.

Giselle is 21

 Today is Giselle's 21st birthday, a very big day for all of us of course. Not part today but she does arrive back home  from college this evening and we give her her presents. Her big whish was a professional coffee machine!

As you can see belwo I am a very proud dad today!

Debs Douwe

Douwe has his Debs tonight. So he is all dressed up to picked up and we do a little photoshoot of course:

Balloons for Sheila

 Sheila would have been 90 this week! So in her memory we had a nice family gathering at her old house and the great-grandchildren let up some balloons...

Graduation Douwe

 Tonight is Douwe's Graduation Party at school (the exams start in about 2 weeks) So time for a quick family photoshoot in the garden 😎