Stresa Italy

Ira and I had a chance to get away right before school ended and we chose a little town called Stresa, right outside of Milan.

This is Ira at our hotel.

This is the view from our hotel looking onto the island Isola Bella.

Yummy Italian food!

Having a cappuccino on the island.

On the island looking at the mainland with Ira donning his new scarf.

Isola Bella is one of the tourist attractions of Lake Maggiore. It has a palace which houses magnificent furnishings and tapestries as well as beautiful gardens.

All white peacock - beautiful!

This is a picture taken at the top of  Mount Mottarone.  It's considered to be a "natural Balcony from which there are 360 degrees of panoramic views across the Po Valley to the Alps.

Bailey's Graduation

Graduation Day!  

A long time coming and a special time it was for Bailey and the family.  A day of excitement and celebration as well as good food, good friends, and a graduation class representing students from across the globe.

Congratulations Bailey!

Class of 2012

Leysin American School

Switzerland     

Riding up the telecabine to Bailey's graduation roast!

Proud Daddy

At the top of the Berneuse mountain where the party began...

Bailey convincing her friends that she's the bomb.

Bailey and the Headmaster, Dr. Marc Ott





It's a Swiss thing....

Amsterdam Spring 2012

While Bailey was in Istanbul,  Turkey, Brenna, Tbilisi, Georgia and Brendan, Cinque Terre, Italy, Ira and I went to Amsterdam.
It was a beautiful city with bicyclists everywhere!  Some of the highlights of our trip were visiting the Ajax Stadium, Heineken Factory, Delft Factory, Den Hague, Van Gogh museum and the best one of all, The Anne Frank house.  We also took a cruise through the canals and did a cheese tasting.  Below are some photos.

Ajax Arena

Reypenaer Cheese tasting-Delicious.

Delft Factory, Delft Holland

George wanted to talk...

Ira and Jlo....at Madame Tussauds.

Ireland 2012

The glorious Bunratty castle, in Bunratty Ireland!

Trip to Ireland - Spring Break, 2012.  Landed in Cork and traveled by car to various locations throughout the Republic.  IMPORTANT NOTE: If visiting Ireland in the future, beware of incredibly beautiful landscapes, extremely friendly locals, better food than anticipated, and drivers who insist on traveling on the left side of the road.  For your viewing pleasure, our excursion to Ireland...

Ira at entry gate to Bunratty Castle.

At the top!

Brendan entering the gates to Bunratty Theme Park where Ireland in the 1800's was recreated.

Family at entry to early 19th century Irish dwelling.

Inside the dwelling....

What we found in the 19th century doctor's house...YIKES!

Da skulehowz

Da teechr.


Da stoodentz

Where she belongs... 

Durty Nelly's - oldest pub in Ireland.

 Blarney Castle...the surrounding grounds were beautiful!

Bailey going down for the kiss...

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Brenna, coming up from the kiss.

This picture was taken in the poison garden behind the castle battlements at Blarney.  "Enter at your own risk"
Below is the distillery in Midleton.

 Jameson whiskey is distilled 3 times and stored in the oak casks.

 Ira and I enjoyed sampling the Irish whiskey, American whiskey and Scottish whiskey.

 Brenna and Brendan enjoyed orange juice!

This is the post where the Titanic last sailed 100 years ago in Cobh Ireland.
Yes, I just had to visit!

Timeless Waterford collectable!
A Replica of the bowl President Obama received for St. Patrick's Day. We actually saw it before he did...beautiful.

Breaking an imperfect Waterford reject.

 Bright eyes at the Waterford factory!

Off to Dublin at this point and right to another factory...

Yummy for the tummy!

Guinness tour in progress...

Another day in paradise at the Hard Rock Cafe in Dublin.

Newgrange burial site near River Boyne - over five thousand years old - must see!
Closer view with family.


Entrance to Trim Castle - site where Braveheart was filmed!

View from castle top with the town of Trim beyond.