With the leaves turning and the temperature dropping, it doesn't feel like summer anymore. However, with Isaac's birthday in August, we've great memories of super parties with Bouncy Castles, three different types of cake, blackcurrant jelly and a very special night when we made a wish, and Tadhg and Isaac lit a wonderful lantern which floated away in the night sky.

It's the summer holidays, and that must mean a visit to the Hook Lighthouse, thanks to Tim and Judy - and a perfect opportunity to drive the car! Tadhg was so good and careful at driving even though Daniel wasn't very impressed.

However, when Isaac drives, it's a different story altogether - speedy Gonzales or what?!

And Daniel has been bursting to have a go ever since, just to be like his big brothers.

On this lovely summer's day, we remember with love and affection Donal Mulryan, grandpa to Aoife, Tadhg, Ciara, Isaac and Daniel who died on 19th April 2012, a few days short of his 80th birthday. He was a wonderful grandparent to all of his grandchildren, and these photos show how much they loved him. 

Tadhg, Isaac, Daniel, Grandpa Donal, Granny Nora, Aoife & Ciara all squashed on to the couch at Castleknock

An earlier pic of Granny Nora, Ciara, Aoife, Daniel, Tadhg, Grandpa Donal with Isaac sitting on his knee!

Grandpa Donal & Granny Nora

When Grandpa Donal died, Dad made a garden in Conna in his memory, with a bench under a cherry tree and lovely flowers. Granny Nora cut the ribbon and Ciara played her saxophone and we always think of him when we are in his garden.

The Irish Cancer Society had an appeal to which we made a contribution to in memory of Grandpa Donal. Daniel put his name and his brothers' ages on the back of the daffodil for Daffodil Day from his three grandsons, Tadhg 14, Isaac 9 and Daniel 6.
 

To Grandpa Donal, love Isaac 9 + Tadhg 14 + Daniel 6 xxx

Happy Easter 2015 from Dad, Caroline & Daniel - we knew you'd have loads of chocolate eggs already in Scotland, so we put lots of other things in the eggs we made for you - enjoy!

Eggs for Tadhg & Isaac peeping out

Happy Easter Tadhg love Dad, Caroline & Daniel

The contents: a splat ball, an eraser and sharpener, fun snaps, measuring spoons, chocolate egg, bunnies, egg & coins

Happy Easter Isaac, Love Dad, Caroline & Daniel

The contents: a splat ball, an eraser and sharpener, fun snaps, Junior tangle, chocolate egg, bunnies, egg & coins

Happy St Patrick's Day!

We had fun choosing and making cards for St Patrick's Day celebrations, and send Tadhg & Isaac all the luck of the Irish!

Slainte - is that an Irish monkey?

With very healthy carrot enclosures

Daniel waiting for his Patrick's Day haircut

Card for Tadhg & Isaac coloured by Daniel

The first time he's got all the letters the right way around - and a shamrock for you both too!

In his St Patrick's hat

Happy Valentine's Day! Daniel had great fun choosing Valentine's cards and presents for Tadhg & Isaac which were posted in a great big box - hope you enjoyed the surprises

Happy Valentine's Day Isaac from all the cats Jasper, Fugly, K2, Shrek and Mazda - you're just 'purr'fect!

Happy Valentine's Day Tadhg from all the dogs Yo yo, Bella and Bonny (Niamh, Ciara & Aoife's new labrador) - you're just 'woof'derful

Daniel with Valentine's parcels for Tadhg & Isaac

All packaged up!

What's peeping through?

For Isaac

With love for Valentine's Day

Isaac love Daniel

For Tadhg

With love for Valentine's Day 

Tadhg love Daniel (only 1 letter the wrong way round!)

7th February was Tadhg's birthday, and Daniel, Dad and Caroline enjoyed choosing cards and presents for him - Daniel was particularly pleased to send his big brother a dinosaur birthday card, as he wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up!    

'Son, I got you this birthday card because it reminded me of you..'

'It's got a mind of its own! Happy birthday Dude!'

Very proud of his card for his big brother 

'Brother A big birthday wish..'

'Hope it's exploding with fun - have a blast - love Dan' 

Dad with Tadhg's present

Which one's your favourite?

'Happy birthday Tadhg - Time for Anarchy! love Dad x'

Stay where you are and then Leave by John Boyne 

Dear Tadhg I hope you'll enjoy this as much as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Happy Birthday! Love Caroline' 

The present for his big brother Tadhg (recognise the dressing gown?)

Tadhg love Daniel

WarHorse by Michael Morpugo

Tadhg love * Daniel

Tadhg's 8th birthday party in Ireland - can you spot Paddy sitting beside? 

Enjoying ice-cream at Monkey Maze at Tadhg's 8th birthday 

Blowing out the candles

Isaac had a great time too!

Auntie Niamh, cousins Aoife & Ciara and Fugly, Jasper, K2 & Shrek (Mazda was too shy for photos) and new labrador puppy (teenager now!) Bonny send Tadhg the very best for his 14th birthday!

Niamh takes a selfie - or should that be Bonny?

Bonny poses with Tadhg's card - I'm a good dog

Fugly (sometimes known also as Bebe) takes a look

Jaspar has a sniff

K2 looks adorable

Shrek is exhausted with all this posing

and has a nap with Tadhg's card

'Have a great time and a wonderful 14th birthday - lots of love Niamh, Mazda, K2, Shrek, Bebe, Jasper & Bonny'

Ciara, Aoife & Bonny with Tadhg's card

'For a start, we both have great cousins - hope you have a wonderful day! Love from Aoife & Ciara'