The Wonderful Green Land of Ireland!

We arrived tired but excited the next morning!  We couldn't believe how green everything was when we looked out the plane window!  It really is a patchwork of green!  Since we got off the plane first, we had to wait for the girls to get off since they were in the back!  They were yawning and tired when we took some pictures of them!  (But happy!)  We picked up our luggage and joined up with our Edward Jones group and boarded a motor coach headed for Killarney.  (We flew into the Shannon airport.)  On the way to our hotel, we stopped for afternoon tea at a restaurant/hotel somewhere along the way.  That was fun-- except we don't drink tea.  They looked at us funny when the girls asked for milk.  I just had water.  They had what they call "scones" that looked pretty much like biscuits to me.  The girls got a little silly, but enjoyed the cultural experience-- their first one in Ireland!  Then we arrived at the Killarney Park Hotel-- a beautiful hotel located centrally and within walking distance to all the attractions and parks.  It seemed like a pretty small town, but very tourist oriented.  We settled into our rooms-- the girls were down the hall from Bill and I.  I hoped for connecting rooms, but that didn't happen.  It worked out though.  They had a suite and only Brooke and Katelyn had to share a bed!  After we got settled in, Bill, Mac and I wanted to go exploring.  (The other girls were just lounging around not wanting to do anything.)  We walked around the hotel and grounds and then explored the little shops and streets close by.  It was fun!  I can't get over the hydrangeas!  They are everywhere blooming like CRAZY!  No doubt because of all the rain here!  The weather has been cool and crisp here! 

We went back to the hotel and got cleaned up for the Edward Jones welcome dinner.  The food and service was absolutely impeccable!  So wonderful!  The food was gourmet level, which for a buffet usually doesn't happen!  The Irish are so warm and friendly!  They have a cute wit and are a happy people.  We met the Kljune (pronounced Klune) family at dinner.  They were super nice and we had a nice visit.  After, Mac wanted to go back to the room, but the 3 others wanted to go outside and walk around the grounds and gardens behind the hotel.  We had fun taking A LOT of pictures!  We laughed and joked around and had fun!  It was a beautiful night-- the sun doesn't go down until really late here!  (The girls wanted to take a "serious" picture...the last one we took.  Yeah, that didn't work out too well.  They couldn't stop laughing!)