The IMF comes to town

Yep, the family and I had a most distinguished visitor a couple of weeks back - the IMF!  That's right, a friend of mine from graduate school, who has the initials IMF (more or less) kindly paid us a visit.

In fact, I think he's about the only person who has visited us in SF, Kentucky, and Dublin.  He knows how to charm LBJ by complementing her on her cooking (although, admittedly, it was quite a tasty meal, with a particularly yummy dessert, on his first visit).

The only downsides to his visit were: (1) we were too exhausted from trips to Helsinki and England to go anywhere and (2) LBJ had a substantial cold.  Still, we enjoyed his visit, and we hope that he did as well.

For me, it was an excuse to see lots of touristy stuff that I hadn't done in a long time (or ever).  However, in retrospect, Kilmainham Gaol was probably not the best place for four and six year old kids, as the executions of prisoners featured prominently: "Daddy, what's an execution?" is not a question I really wanted to answer.  Nonetheless, they quite enjoyed the tour.  Plus, LBJ found a really nice cafe for us to visit for lunch (as she rested at home).   After lunch, we visited part of the National Museum - Collins Barracks.  The girls were a bit museum-ed out by then, but I think IMF enjoyed it.

The jail (used in movies such as In the Name of the Father)

Who knew a jail could be so much fun?

On another day, we took IMF to Glendalough, one of our favorite places to take visitors (as my sister and PM can attest).  I have yet to grow tired of going there.  As you can see, IMF, FABJ, and ORBJ look pretty happy.

Happy hikers (perhaps because it wasn't raining ... yet)

We were able to have a couple of nice dinners out as well, including an opportunity to visit a new restaurant in our neighborhood, Clodagh's Kitchen.  It was very good but not great value.

On IMFs last day, I took him to Newgrange.  We decided that it would be a bit too long a drive and possibly a bit too boring for them.  However, IMF and I had an excellent time (aside from me getting lost on the way - I drove the only route I know in north Dublin, which is to the nursing home where LBJ's grandmother lived.  Unfortunately, I was trying to find the route to the airport (which is on the way to Newgrange).  Oh well.

A weary tourist enjoying the sights

A rock with cool designs

APB's christening

After arriving home from Helsinki on Friday evening around 7:30pm, I had the pleasure of returning to Dublin airport early Sunday morning for a day trip to England.

The girls' cousin - APB as we call him - was to be christened in (near?) Berkhamsted.  We decided for a day trip mainly because I had already booked the trip to Finland before the christening date had been determined.  Plus, it's far enough outside of London that it wasn't going to be convenient to visit London on the same trip.

On the plus side, the church was an easy 30 minute or so drive from Luton airport, a "small" regional airport (relative to other London airports).  So we rented a "people mover", i.e. minivan for our family and LBJ's parents (i.e. APB's grandparents).

Although tiring, it was an enjoyable trip.  The flights and car rental were uneventful.  APB's "other" grandparents were kind enough to invite us over to their house before the christening.  It was nice to meet them (for me and the girls, obviously LBJ and her parents had met them before), and the girls had a place to play.  At one point, I looked in, and FABJ was reading a book to ORBJ - very cute:

Evidence that they are often the model children

 The ceremony was nice and kid friendly.  I didn't realize that APB's "other" grandfather is a (semi-retired?) vicar, so he was instrumental in the proceedings (although not the main MC, so to speak).

Alas, the photos did not turn out great, but here are a few anyway.

Some pre-ceremony happiness

The man of the hour and his father

The ceremony

Note the important role of LBJ (APB's fairy godmother).  APB's uncle - also named Chris - is the godfather.  At the right is APB's grandfather.  At the bottom of the picture is FABJ's head.

The English grandparents had a very enjoyable reception after the service.  Everyone had a good time even though ORBJ was being a fussy eater (a problem that continued for the rest of the day, as well as occurring at dinnertime a lot these days).  Everyone - even me - was well behaved.

By the time we got back home, it was nearly 9pm.  We were all exhausted.