An international family currently based in Ireland. Kevin was born in the UK. Franciska, Rebecca and Lucas were born in Denmark. Victoria, Cassandra and Olivia joined this world in Spain then Noah and Isabella were born in Ireland. Where will the next one be born?

A little bit about us.

Kevin, 49. The always wanna-be-right kind of guy. Currently finishing of his MSc in International Management (Ecotourism Dissertation). Loves a new project. Currently Manager of Claremorris Community Radio (Last day will be 24th June)

Franciska, 37. The home-maker. A second year psychology student. Loves children and baking.
(A woman with few words and great insight)

Rebecca, 15. The intelligent stroppy teenager. Busy doing her Junior Cert. And socialising. Fluent in Spanish, Danish, English and Sarcasm. Loves music, reading and writing.

Lucas, 10. The policeman. Often to be found with a body-part in his mouth or fidgeting with something. A very gentle and polite boy. Often says; “Oh... I forgot” & “soooorryyyy”!

Victoria, 8. The model. She is very social and independent. A sensitive day dreamer with a fiery temper

Cassandra, 5. The wannabe boy. She is always helpful and considerable. Often says; “mom...? I love you” !

Olivia, 5. The winger/ princess. Loves to dress up. Always heard to say; “can I have...?”, “I want....”, “can I.....?”, “but....” !

Noah, 3. The little man. A quiet little boy that rarely speaks but likes to scream to get it his way. Often says “niiiice” when something is good.

Isabella, 1. The baby. A very pleasant little girl who is able to stand up for herself. Often seen frowning.

Now what we think of our approaching adventure

I think it will be cool I will definitely look forward to living at the beach house for 2 months. I am scared of the mosquito's with malaria but otherwise great and seeing the front page
I do not think we are crazy I think we are adventurous BIG difference and I think Rebecca
will agree that it will be fun to go scuba diving again. Mum said we might so I hope we do.

  Lucas

p.s i still do not think we are crazy :)


I am very excited about moving to Central America for a year. Many of my days are spent pondering about things we might get to do whilst abroad; swimming, sun-bathing, strolls on the beach, sight-seeing, scuba-diving, and many more.
I am mostly excited about the beach house we'll be living in, situated at a bay in Belize. We will be living there immediately after we arrive in America. I hope it will be as beautiful as I imagine, with white sands, blue skies and clear water! 

The downsides (and there is a few!) to going away for a year is that:
-I won't be able to see my friends for that long, and since there is a time difference staying in touch online will be hard (chatting live). I'm glad I'll still be able to send and receive emails. 
-We have to get 5 vaccinations before we go, and I hate needles. 
-I won't be able to bring much clothes with me, only enough to suffice me and a bit extra. 

However, I think the positives outweigh the negatives by a LOT, and I can't wait to go. Wish it was sooner... 

Rebecca

I am looking forward to do my home school work on the beach and do some swimming in the sea.I hope to stay up later and watch TV or play on the beach and make sand castle's.I want to do some resting on the beach and eat lots of nice Mexican food.

I am scared of the spiders and bees but like dolphins and ladybirds.

I can't wait to be in Belize.
Victoria, 8




I want to play on the beach and live in the house on the beach. I know how to swim in the sea. I learnt to swim when we were in America last year. I don't want to meet any sharks, snakes or crocodiles, but I like cats. I want to see a castle.
Olivia, 5



I want to go swimming and have a great time with my family and everybody. I want to have a picnic on the beach with drinks, hot dogs, pizza and waffles with chocolate. I don't like bees, fly's and anything poisonous. I want to see birds and feed them. I also like pirates best. I like the picture of the house and the trees with coconuts.
Cassandra, 5


When shown the pictures of the house Noah took off his trousers and showed Mum his underwear (he had previously been swimming in them) and said ‘Beach…….. NIiiiiice!!!!!!’
Noah, 3

And now for the Parents

I would like us to go tomorrow. Just can't wait to be on the beach, the sun shinning and the sound of the waves in the background, while I'm watching the kids happy faces splashing in the water and building sand-castles with my husband by my side.
After the initial high from the discussion, on going away for a year, the practical problems arose. Is it fair on the kids to take them away from their friends? Taking them out of school? To expose them to dangerous disease,s? Take them places that might be dangerous? Well the answer to that was, hopefully the benefits are greater than the downside. Some we can prevent by vaccinations and careful planning etc. The opportunity for the kids to experience different cultures and a different ways of life will make their life richer.
Franciska


The prospect of traveling around Central America with my family brings a very warm feeling to my heart. I know that there are challenges ahead but they will enrich all our lives. I have alway had itchy feet and the opportunity to scratch them with my wife and all of my children is a gift that not many fathers get to experience.

I am sure that there will be projects we can all get involved with and I look forward sharing my skills and experience with the voluntary organisations we meet. I look forward to meeting new people and making friends.

The trip to Belize from Ireland is going to be long and tiring, the thing that will keep me going is the prospect of a cold Belikin beer on the beach when we arrive. Kevin