Relaxing in Madrid

Enjoying some time at home before the holidays!

Ricky and the Kitty overlooking the Sierra de Madrid

Climbing everywhere these days!!

Carolina and Kai in their Mr. and Mrs. Claus pajamas (getting ready for swim class)

Jersey and Rocky Top

Perfect time of year for a quick trip home. The fall leaves were just gorgeous in Madison. I spent a week there for work and then headed to TN for 36hrs with the family and my amazing girlfriends. What a super fast and super wonderful weekend. We can't wait to get back in 2 weeks!!

Trick or Treat with my lil' Penguin

This year for Halloween Carolina and her little friends decided to get together for a play date and dress up to celebrate. Such cuties! and while a Penguin seemed like the cutest little idea..... wow- I certainly didn't think about her yanking the hood and feet off non-stop. Overall super cute, but maybe next time a little more comfy attire for a 1 year old. And how precious are her little friends?

love this- the penguin learning to walk!

her friends- the ladybug, pumpkin and little fairy

yes! she kept her head on for 1 quick shot! sunglasses for the road and all!!

with momma tiger

You Are My Sunshine!

We had so much fun throwing this big bash for the Birthday Girl! We held a "You are my Sunshine" theme party, full of lots of yellow and orange, on the terrace. Despite a week of bad weather, there was sunshine! BBQ and Lemonade Bar on the top terrace and the Sweets bar and play area on the lower deck. It came together perfectly! Carolina was joined by 15 of her closest little friends and many of our friends. It was quite a crowd! and we loved it!! Ricardo of course did a great job with a themed play list and with the help of Pinterest and Grammy- Carolina was decked out to the fullest! Though it looked a little ehhh.... the smash cake was a huge hit for both C and her little friends (no sugar, whole wheat flour, apple sauce, bananas, cream cheese and vanilla). I'm sure she'll forever remember her 1st Birthday!! =)

inside Sweets Table

C's healthy smash cake



Candy Bouquet

The Stats!

Downstairs kid snacks

Lemonade Bar to accompany the BBQ



Getting ready for her guests!



Kiddos in the swimming pool

attempt at a group shot

This was pretty much her "shocked" look the whole cake session

digging in!

Our sweet little sunshine!

Showing off her new walking skills

with a little help from mama and papa

Opening the gifts- a group effort

Celia- my best friend for life (This is Javi and Ani's20 month old daughter)

 

Return to BKK

14hrs flying, 3-night stay, a few massages, dinners, (work of course), and 14hrs return. Fastest work trip ever! Here's a look at our great colleagues from Asia Pacific!

12 months old

Carolina Lola turns 1!! ohhhhh it just flew by! Full of many wonderful memories and absolutely the best year of our lives! I remember so well the day you were born and us holding you for the first time and I look at you now and just can't believe what a big girl you are growing into. What absolute joy you have brought to this world!! And just in time for your 1st birthday- you started to grow a tooth and are walking (a bit ;-) You can make it from the couch to the T.V. You weigh 21 lbs 8oz and are 29 inches tall. You call for Mama and Papa all the time and can say Hola (sounds like oh ah). You follow me around the house all- the- time and love to play in the kitchen with the tupperware and any bottles or cans you can find. You love giving kisses and now when we're out with your friends, love playing with everyone. You enjoyed a fun trip to Berlin to see Daddy run a marathon and loved being strolled around the big city. Our little adventurer! We love you. Have loved every single day with you this first year of your life. And we can't wait for all the wonderful memories you continue to bring to our lives! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Berlin Marathon 2013

Off for a weekend adventure to Berlin! Perfect fall weather and a perfect day for a Marathon. Atleast to watch =)

she was pretty content being strolled around the big city- such the adventurer!

Sunday's Marathon- Go Ricky Go! He finished in 3hrs 20min!!

The Kuehne Nagel guys

C's 2nd Marathon with Daddy (5 weeks old on the 1st, 11 mo here)

Beautiful Berlin in the Autumn

11 months old

This monthly picture tested my skills. Wheweee what a go-getter. I have shots of you from every angle with every sort of face and mood (more of those later....). In 11 short months, your sweet and independant personality is shining thru. Daddy says your just like me- isn't he sweet =). You sometimes will lay on the floor beside me and give kisses like no tomorrow. Other times you want nothing to do with any of it and like to push us away with your hands. When I give you the phone, you'll put it to your ear and start talking. You can stand so well on your own, push your little walker all over the house and even took your first 1-2 steps. It doesn't seem there's much interest yet to go further. You're still a champion sleeper and those naps are even getting longer. You love to snack on spanish baguettes, it'll keep you entertained for hours. You weigh 21 pounds, are 29 inches tall and 100% adorable. We love you to pieces. Just quit growing so quickly!!

Bangkok or Bust

Welcome back! Not yet full time and easing into my duties slowly....

I'm the biggest fan of Asia Pacific- so you can bet I was eager to plan this week of work. Last time I was here, I could combine it with a nice weekend island getaway. However with this being my first full week away from the little one, I was a bit sceptical to stay away too long. Good call. I was happy to get back home to the family and a day off before and after the work week was just enough to enjoy the city, a few massages and some yummy thai food. Plus- I'm back again in 3 weeks for another go!

taking off from Finland

Teambuilding event: Thai Cooking Class

Our yummy creations

Asia Pacific Green Belt Class

off to the Lady Boy show!

Quick stop to the weekend market

                                                and a quick 7 dollar/1hr foot massage! can´t beat it!!

Heading to the hotel in our Tuk Tuk

Anthems for the Lost Generation

Love Division presents their new album, "Anthems for the Lost Generation", and yea! I got to be there!! Blood, sweat and tears- this guy works his head off and how nice it is to see all the hard work pay off with a big turnout in Sala de Sol. So proud! Albums are now available for sale! I'll be mailing out albums to the US crowd in November- so message me for your copy! =)

Swiss Chocolate

The Riches go to Switzerland- part II with baby..... 

Alas, it´s time for our annual de Abiega family vacation. Last year we tackled the Dolomites in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia (7.5 months pregnant). This year- Switzerland with a 10 month old. Surprisingly enough it was smooth sailing. We started in Geneva and worked our way around the highlights, passing thru Zermatt/Matterhorn, St Moritz, Liechtenstein, Lucerne and the all-famous Jungfrau (which Ricardo and I attempted several years ago, but this time- we could actually see the views!). Lovely trip, lovely people and even more lovely chocolate. 

The Riches at Matterhorn

beautiful, huh? not when there are 20 of them stampeding behind you down a mountain! 



Maria and Asier



The de Abiega´s 

The next ad for Tobelrone!

music in Zermatt

Passing thru Lucerne (Lichenstein was just before- and even though we spent a day there, not much to photograph!)

enjoying beerfest

off to St Moritz

Swinging Bridge

never knew the name of this place- just a little village where we stopped for lunch

Our way to Jungfrau

Top of the World at Jungfrau

and my favorite picture from the vacation...... priceless.