Sightseeing

After leaving the U.S. we went to Northern Ireland for the British Reformed Fellowship Conference.  I am looking forward to writing about that but need some more time to get pictures together, so for now, here are some pictures of the sightseeing we were able to do in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and London before and after the conference.

But first, one last picture in the U.S.--our kids with my grandparents before we left.

Our flight from Chicago landed in Dublin on a Friday morning, and the conference didn't start until Saturday evening, so we had a little time in Ireland.

Our first glimpse of the town where we'd be spending the night (Balbriggan)

Near our hotel

Ardgillan Castle in Balbriggan

Gardens on the castle grounds

Playground with a view!!

The conference went from Saturday until the following Saturday (July 16-23), and the following week we had a couple more days in Northern Ireland with my husband's parents.

This picture doesn't quite do justice to the incredibly narrow roads in Northern Ireland!

By the Giant's Causeway

At the Giant's Causeway

The town of Portrush

Portrush

A typical scene--beautiful!!

Coastal drive

Megan at Carnfunnock Country Park

View from that park

Kids with their grandparents at the park

Words cannot describe the beauty of Northern Ireland!!

Emily and her dad sharing "traditional high tea" for lunch

Our flight back to Singapore went out of London, so we had some time there as well.

The Tower of London

Inside the Tower of London

Ready for some history of the tower

On a boat with the amazing Tower Bridge behind

Big Ben

Changing of the horse guard

Buckingham Palace from a distance

And after all the sightseeing, this is what five kids look like going on their 19th hour of flight delays!

In the Jakarta airport

Furlough (4)--Last Couple Weeks in the U.S.

Last week my family (parents and sisters with their families) went to Mackinaw City for a few days together.

At Colonial Michilimackinac

At Mill Creek Campground 

Jessica ready to bike on Mackinac Island

Seth and Jason ready for their ride

 

Some of the boys at Fort Mackinac

Emily and Megan in Mackinaw City

Jessica and Tessa by a great ice cream place in Traverse City on the way home

On Saturday we gathered at a park with the entire Key family to visit and also to have an early celebration of my parents' 40th anniversary.

Both last week and this week we had a few last visits with friends.

With Rev. & Jen Eriks

Emily and Laura Geerlings

With some friends at the Mulders' house

The whole group at Mulders'

Jason and Blake Spronk

With Rev. Kleyn at the Smits' house 

(Rev. Smit was still traveling home from his stay in the Philippines.)

Fun with Smits and Kleyns

And we had our last days with my husband's family as well.

Goodbye for two more years, Lord willing

Thursday evening we leave the U.S. for Northern Ireland, where my husband has been asked to speak at the British Reformed Fellowship Conference.  We have enjoyed our time here and seeing many of you again.  God be with you 'til we meet again!

Furlough (3)--More Time with Family and Friends

Our days in Michigan have been very busy with family and friends!

Mexican food with Gerald & Celia Feenstra

Gathering with a big group of friends

With Kurt & Ruth Kaptein's family

Another big group of friends at a park in Zeeland

Our oldest kids have also spent quite a bit of time with their friends during this trip.

Leah VandenBerg and Jessica

Eric and Bradyn Lotterman at a Whitecaps game

Emily and Abby VandenBerg

Reunited with the Engelsma kids

We celebrated my in-laws' 40th anniversary a month early.

Dinner together

The grandkids singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness"

This evening was spent with my family.

Dressed for family pictures!

The four-year-olds

Uncle Andy reading to the kids!