Amsterdam!

Wow!  What a way to usher in the last year of my 20's!  I know that Amsterdam has a bit of a bad reputation and seedy undertones, but it is truly a beautiful city.  Josh and I enjoyed visiting the windmills, tulip fields, seeing the largest floating flower market, boating the canals, drinking wine, and sunbathing along the river.
Be sure to check out the sweetest birthday video at the end! 

The first windmill.  Windmills are protected property.  Interestingly enough, someone lives here.

Line-up at the Floating Flower Market.

The famous wooden shoes.

Fields of tulips.  Look at the different colors!

At Keukenhof, the world's largest flower garden.

Lovely!

I liked this idea of using recyclable bags as planters.

I love this boat, which looks like some of the boats lining the canal.

The Inspired Garden.

Large wooden shoes!

Time to go!

Beginning of our river birthday dinner cruise.

Cheers!

Twilight in the city!

They let me drive since I was the birthday girl! The wheel didn't actually work, but I did have to learn the gears.

Biking is the main mode of transportation.  There were thousands of bikes lining the Square.  We learned that 700,000 bikes are stolen a year, that's why all of bikes are basic and nothing more than scrap metal.

This boat is in the shape of the infamous wooden shoe.

View of the city.

More flower markets.

Different views of the city.

The outdoor cafes became our favorite.

Sad it had to come to an end.  But as always, grateful for the opportunity!

Reflection on my twenties
My twenties brought some really incredible times.  Below is a list of my favorites:

8.  Graduated college
7.  Started my teaching career
6.  Moved to California
5.  Moved to Ireland
4.  Got Dax and Callie
3.  Became a world traveler
2.  Became an aunt to the most beautiful little girls Brooklynn and Chandler
1.  Met and married my best friend!

I know this next year will bring many more amazing experiences and precious memories!

A House Full

Just recently Josh and I were in for a hosting treat!  We entertained Josh's brother Zach and his three friends (Tom, Jeff and Eric).  With the boys, we experienced Kinsale's nightlife, visited pubs that are listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (The Spaniard and The Bulman), went to a Hurling match (my new favorite sport), and spent time at Charles Fort.  Later, while the boys were still with us, Stephen and Julie came to join the fun.  We all packed into our "barely there" cars to the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle.  Once the boys left for home, Stephen, Julie, Josh and I went to Dingle, Cobh, and shopped Kinsale.

Zach, Tom, Jeff, and Eric at the Charles Fort Entrance.

At the fort, Zach and Jeff, peering towards the ocean.

Men!

Jeff and Tom at Old Head golf coarse.  We didn't golf, but we did go on a hike along the cliffs.

Bro and I at Old Head.

The Cliffs of Moher.  Pictures do not do this site justice.  These cliffs are over 750 feet high.

Bro and Julie

Frame-able!

Bros!

The boys.  As you can see in the background, this sign doesn't stop anyone from continuing the hike.  Onward we saw breathtaking views!

Boys on the ledge.  Lining the cliffs are thousands of birds that made their homes in the grooves.

Night out in Doolin.  We were at this pub from 3pm until...well I'm not sure!

The whole lot of us!

The next day we tried to visit the Aran Islands, but the waves were to high for the ferry.  Blarney Castle was the next best thing.  Here's Stephen kissing the infamous stone!

The beginning of Gentleman's Hour.  An hour where whiskey is consumed and the men solve all of life's biggest quandaries.  The men even dressed for the event! 

While the men were enjoying their gentlemanly time, Julie and I were working on our April Fools project.  We stitched the sleeves of their jackets.  We also dipped their toothbrushes in salt.  But for some reason, after drinking Jameson, they didn't seem to notice the salt.

In the boat at the Dingle Coast.  Little did we know that this trip was solely based on harassing Fungi, the local dolphin.  The driver chased him for about an hour.  Again, the moral of the story is to ask questions before buying tickets.

Lighthouse!

Fungi, the dolphin!

I feel like this sign is suggesting I run pedestrians off of the road.

Fungi capsized our ship:)

Cobh was the Titanic's last port of call before sinking.

I am missing a ton of pictures.  Once I get some from the boys and Stephen, I will post a more complete picture of our time together.
Josh and I feel so lucky that our families get along so well.  We loved every minute and were sad to say goodbye.  Dax and Callie still check upstairs every morning, hoping to find all of their new favorites.  We love you guys and can't wait for your return (hint, hint)!

Up next:  Amsterdam!