Happy happy Friday, friends!
Believe it or not, we’ve finally reached the end of our summer vacation blog posts 🙂 . Thank you for indulging me with so many. I want to keep these memories here forever for myself, plus, it’s always SO nice to share them with you. I also hope this vacation (or any of our others) has encouraged YOU to travel with your kiddos too.
I try not to dwell on summer coming to an end and just really enjoy the present. Buuuuut…I do sometimes think about our fall season and how busy it will be and how we’re all pulled in different directions and well, this summer family time is something super precious to me. I love my family, and I love spending time with them, and traveling with them is just one of my favorite ways to really get all six of us plugged in together without any distractions. This is such a sweet season.
Okay, just as a reminder, if you missed the first few days of our summer vacation, you can catch them below:
BELFAST, PART ONE
BELFAST, PART TWO
BELFAST, PART THREE
DERRY, PART ONE
DERRY, PART TWO
Now, time to wrap up Northern Ireland with our last day in Derry…
…while Andrew was returning our rental van, we had Starbucks to start our day.
After that…
…we headed off to The Tower Museum because we had tickets to visit plus see…
…The Derry Girls Experience!
This is the kind of museum I’m really interested in 😉 . Scripts, costumes, behind the scenes information and artifacts…yes, please!
If you know, you know!
This was such a fun thing to do for us Derry Girls fans!
We saw some “actual” history too 😉 .
The views from the top of the museum were fabulous…
…from way up top, we saw Derry for days!
After the museum…
…we snapped a picture before our Bloody Sunday Tour…
…if you didn’t notice, this was our warmest day on the vacation. Bloody Sunday was a pivotable turning point for the Irish, and it took place in Derry.
This tour took us around the city and explained the events, significance and history that took place that day and how it changed/affected the country for decades to come.
The tour also included some Derry girl fun 😉 .
The murals a very big deal in Derry and represent their revolution, their recovery from it, the lost, the loved, the hope, the hurt…we stopped and learned about each one and though this might seem like an odd tour, it was our very favorite. This tour was really emotional and personal for our guide which made us feel it differently as we walked, listened and learned.
Thirteen people died on Bloody Sunday (one more died a few months later as a result of his injury that day), and as our guide is showing us these victims and explaining who they were/where they were that day/all the details about Bloody Sunday, he stopped and pointed to one of the victims and said “That was my dad”. Yeah. When he was 7 months old, his dad died on Bloody Sunday. Clearly, this tour was not as impartial as our others were (how could it be, his dad died), but it was so heart filled and very emotionally driven, and that’s just so good for my kids to see (and us too!).
Needless to say, it was a big day that prompted a lot of great questions as a family and a really solemn and powerful way to end our time in this beautiful country that has endured so much.
We took the most beautiful walk to dinner that night…
…and ended our trip on a vacation high.
We LOVED you, Northern Ireland! We had the absolute very best time on our trip. I am so grateful for that week. I knew we would “like” Northern Ireland, but we LOVED it.
The next day, we all boarded the flight from Belfast to London where Smith, Ashby, Mades and I took a connecting flight back back to Dallas and Andrew and Kensington deplaned for their weekend to see Taylor Swift…
If you’ll recall, we were just in London as a family in October, so this trip the two of them just hit their favorite London spots.
One day, they even drove back out to the Cotswolds…
…and they visited Windsor Castle too!
But the real reason they were there…
…was for this Swiftie to finally get her Christmas present…
…they had the BEST time!
Don’t forget, my travel agency would LOVE to work with you too! Contact us today for more information on all of our vacation planning. From Disney to Hawaii, cruises, Europe and more, no fees and amazing service. Reach out to us today!
Don’t forget, I’m hosting my ANNIVERSARY SALE GIVEAWAY! To see all the details and enter to win, visit THIS BLOG POST! The three winners will be announced on Monday!
Happy Friday, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Heather says
Hi Shay, I know you have covered your carry on bag and how you pack, but do you have a larger luggage piece you recommend for when you are checking a bag? I travel quite a bit and I have tried everything from soft to hard shell and several brands and price points and just can’t seem to find one that holds up over time. Thought maybe you might have better luck with one you are happy with. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
We use two different kinds (one hard and one soft). We love the Delsey for hard and Tumi for the soft ones. They last forever and really wear well.
Heather says
That is hilarious because that is what I have! I must get the absolute worst ground handlers then…lol.
Debbie Alsip says
That is interesting. We also use Tumi and have had no problems.
Valerie says
We use Briggs and Riley soft sided and have flown tons with them. They are expensive but so worth it! They hold up and have a lifetime guarantee. And they roll really well also!
Elspeth says
What a fun and memorable trip! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Katrina Goodman says
It looks like such a great trip! As a Swiftie,
Loved Kensington’s pictures!! We went in Houston last year & my daughter is begging to go in New Orleans so she can see TTPD! 🤣
Jess says
Thank you for sharing Shay! I’m guessing you’ve seen it already but just in case you need to watch the derry girls episode of great British baking show holidays with the derry girls cast! It’s absolutely hilarious!!! (On Netflix still because you inspired me to rewatch on your first derry post.)
Amanda says
I am so happy that K got to see The Eras Tours live! I had a feeling that there was something Swift related in your vacation, since the timing was too coincidental. What a memorable experience for K to have her dad there with her! This definitely has me rethinking birthday gifts/Christmas gifts for my children.
Emma says
Hi Shay! Super random comment but we’re currently in the process of moving with our toddler and newborn and I (long time reader!) remembered that when you guys moved into your current house, didn’t you blog that one day you all spontaneously decided to move that day rather than wait for movers? And you got it done in one day? HOW??!! Hahaha. That’s currently all I can think about right now as we’re drowning in the packing process 😂 anyway, love your blog – thank you for sharing your life with us!
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re moving with a toddler and newborn? I never had to do that and cannot imagine how insane that would be. I’m not sure which move you’re referring to (house to rental house or rental house to current house), but it was so long ago that I do not remember anything super specific. It must not have been too absolutely terrible or else I’d remember. I do remember my sweet parents helped SO MUCH with the actual moving. They were rockstars!
Michele says
I am living for the CHIEFS jersey!! WTG Andrew! And how is Kensington looking like a young adult! I have loved watching your family grow, literally. 🙂 But not in a creepy way, in a normal “I don’t know you, but I feel like I do” blog way.
Mix and Match Mama says
That is the ULTIMATE compliment! Thank you, thank you! I am blessed to know you too 🙂 .
Kerri says
My daughter and I were at that concert same night! Just days after her sweet 16! It was a great mom/daughter trip to London!
Jeanette says
That is a fantastic Christmas gift, as well as the Father/Daughter one on one time. Enjoyed reading and seeing your travels around Northern Ireland.
Marian Cadenasso says
Shay, my daughter and I were in Derry last week and our Bloody Sunday tour guide had a brother killed on Bloody Sunday! All of these guides are personally vested in making sure we don’t forget! Anyway, there has only been one soldier charged for what happened that day and it is in the murder of our tour guide’s brother. Trial is set for later this year. I feel so personally vested in his story – such an important part of history! Thank you for sharing!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for sharing too!! I’m so glad you visited Derry as well!
Kelly Davis says
What a fabulous trip, and I can’t even imagine how poignant that tour must have been . WOW.
Kensington looks fabulous in that adorable outfit – what a fun and special daddy daughter trip.
Stephanie Christianson says
I’ve been loving this entire Northern Ireland trip series. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland, but I can see I need to add Northern Ireland to the trip as well now. Thank you for sharing!
Taylor Henson says
I love that K is a Swiftie!! Also love that Andrew went to the concert with her. I’m curious, how did y’all decide that Andrew would take her instead of you? Or did he just simply, WANT to go?? Either way, what a fun memory for the two of them! Signed, a Swiftie since day one.
Mix and Match Mama says
When we decided on the two trips as gifts, the concert just felt more right for Andrew and WDW for me. He started really listening to the music in September (when we bought the tickets) so that he would have fun at the concert. He had a blast!
Ellie Entrekin says
Love your blog & the Derry Girls. Thanks for always taking us on trips with you!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I loved seeing Andrew and Kensington’s concert pictures! I am not a Swiftie, but I fully respect and love the way people dress to go to her concerts! It makes for a fun experience, and I LOVE Kensington’s outfit! I bet she had the best time trying to decide what to wear!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Gail Slagle says
What a great trip!!! Loved Derry, Ireland, Loved London, and Loved, Loved the Cotswold! ALL my favorite places! Makes me want to go back! 🥰