Irish Festivites!

Oh the Irish Festival...it's one of the many reasons why I love living in Columbus!  This was our third time going, and yet Doug and I were so excited that we were acting like two little kids going to see Santa for the first time (well ones that are not terrified of him lol).  This of course is another reason why I love Doug so much :) he not only enjoys going to any kind of festival whether it be Irish, Italian, Greek, whatever...as much as I do, he is also totally in love with the Irish culture.   We both have Irish roots in our family trees, Doug's mother's maiden name was Carey, which was originally O'Carey.  My great grandmother on my father's side immigrated from Ireland to the United States when she was just 14 years old.  In fact, my great aunt still to this day drives around in her van with a large green clover taped in her back window.  My mother's side is also littered with Irish names such as Brigham and Patterson.  There is just so much about the Irish culture that I'm drawn too...the music, the dancing, the art, it's just all so magical!  It has always been a dream of mine to visit Ireland photograph it's beauty and trace some of my Irish roots.  One day, hopefully soon, I will be blogging about my wonderful trip back from the beautiful island, but for now a blog about the Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio will have to do (after all it's just like Ireland except smaller)

:)

This is Molly, she is an Irish Terrier.  Each year they have a section at the festival dedicated to the 

Irish dog breeds :) 

This was my mom's second visit to the Irish Festival, she too is proud of her Irish roots!

My dad, brother in-law Mike, and friend Adam talking about "Irish" things I'm sure :)

Doug and Mike trying to figure out where exact they were on the map

Yup, still haven't figured it out :)

Doug's new goal in life...learn how to play the bagpipes

And this is what I left with...it's a Claddagh Ring meaning "love, loyalty, and friendship"

"With this crown, I give my loyalty, With these hands, I offer my service, With this heart, I give you mine"

   

Little Myla

I met Dustin and Adriene about a year ago when Doug and I first joined their small group from church.  At that time Adriene was actually pregnant with little Myla, and over the past year Doug and I have gotten to know Dustin and Adriene better and we are blessed to call them our friends!  It has been really great seeing them transition into first time parents, although you would think that this is their fifth child not their first since they both are so amazing with her!  They are the most calm, cool, and collected new parents I have ever met!  This, I am sure, will not be the case when Doug and I have our first child lol.   Hopefully they will be willing to give us advice when the time comes :)  I couldn't wait to finally have the chance to take some photos of little Myla!  She is so sweet and has some of the greatest facial expressions.  I had such a great time during the shoot, of course how could you not with that sweet little face!  I am so blessed to be able to share my love of photography with my friends and family.  God has blessed Dustin and Adriene with a perfect little baby girl and I can't wait to continue watching her change and grow.

No this is NOT Myla lol this is Sadie their dog, we were waiting for Myla to wake up from her nap :)

Sadie patiently waiting for Doug to THROW THE BALL!

Dustin getting Myla ready for our photo shoot...this is so sweet :)

Wait till you see her next expression....

She already knows how to give her parents the stink eye!