Closing Time

Farewell for now.... Last week of work and if I could, I´d be doing cartwheels around the house! As many of you know, times have been a bit turbulent on the workside. Thank goodness it all worked out in the end and so thanks to the Danish gov´t and the fine folks of Maersk, I´m on leave until end of next year! =)))))  And now it´s time for a little RnR!

One last trip to DK before I´m off

My morning walk to the office

Coffee and Cakes in Hellerup

My extended Swedish family- Margareta and her beautiful garden

Colleague and Friend for life- Anders at the bbq
(missing Astrid & Sara)

Busy Body

Concerts and Races and Babies- oh my! While I´m busy nesting..... This fine fella has made it a point to accomplish all his life goals before Baby de Abiega arrives. Literally. We´ve both gone into "get it done now" mode. I´ve spent the past few weeks wrapping up work, shopping and preparing the nursery and beefing up my social agenda. I figure it´s easier to get my network in place now, to make life a little more smooth once Carolina arrives. Ricardo, aside from his day job, has released his latest album, is putting the final touches on his next release, played a few shows here in Madrid, is preparing for his November marathon, beefing up his swimming skills for a 2013 triathalon and just completed a bike race of over 130km in the mountains of Segovia and Madrid. If it´s nesting for the mother, what do you call this for the father? =)

Friday Night Acoustic Show (signing autographs =)

We end at 12:30 and drive 1hr to Segovia for an overnight stay in Segovia (race is the next morning!)

I love Segovia and have been here several times (it´s a fav place to take guests). The race started at 8am! I slept in and decided to take the morning to explore the town from the outside angle. Beautiful! and much more natural than from inside the city walls.

This was the view of the Alcazar from our hotel on the river

The old monastery and shaded park nearby

a view of Segovia from outside the city walls

And back just in time to cheer him across the finish line

We have guests!

Sooo nice to have friends come to town! Even though these crazy girls booked a hotel in the city- it was great to spend an entire weekend with them. (minus the late night party scene....)

Tapas Day 1 at Toma Jamon near Chueca- my fav!

Walk to Sol with Sara, Kenz and Emma

a little Flamenco dancing in Plaza Mayor

Me and Kenz

lunch at the de Abiega´s

Getting ready for baby

 a quick view of work in progress.....

papa´s got a brand new crib (the before look)

(and after)- still lots of work to be done! but loving this bedding we ordered from Etsy (The Classy Crib). Thanks Kenz for hand delivering this all the way from the US!

C is for Carolina and a few items to match

Heading to the doctor.... week 30

Guetaria

Snapshots from our latest trip up north to Guetaria- family, beaches, pinchos and yummy besugo.

Baby Shower for Carolina- Southern Style

So so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family in my life. While I was home in July, these lovely ladies thru the most thoughtful and wonderful baby shower for Carolina at Lulu´s Tearoom in Powell. We had the BEST afternoon. Thank You all sooo sooo much for planning and to those lovely ladies who came from Rockwood, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Nashville, Atlanta, Charleston, Richmond, Forest City and L.A (and sooo much who sent their love along the way)! It meant the world. Love you all so much!

The hostesses with the mostestes

Me, Mom and my Aunts

Admiring the decor- look at those yummy cake pops! Thanks Vicki Gaines!!

Hmmmm who will Carolina look like

Loved opening all the sweet baby gifts! and this handmade quilt from Mrs Peggy

Deckin´out in Orange and White

Sisters. For real. (and missed all ya´ll who couldn´t be there)

Me and Mom in front of Lulu´s

Love this one

and this one too!

July 4th with the Richards and Friends

So spoiled! Nearly 1 month later and I´m back to the US!! Who could miss a 4th of July at the Richards´ house? And my super duper baby shower (coming next....) Not I! So I booked my ticket and headed west for 1 last trip home before baby de Abiega arrives. We were sad Ricardo couldn´t join, but so blessed to see so many of my family and friends while I was home on this trip. I love 4th of July at home!

We started with a nice chill day at the pool! These 2 weren´t hot!!

And then nearly a full week enjoying the lake- wish I had a few pictures of my boat ride with the Bowman´s, so relaxing to be on Watts Bar again!

Happy 4th of July!! The big Celebration!

Like it´s DYNOmite! What a dancer she is!! (and I quote, "I only like to perform in front of lots of people"

The lake crowd enjoying the evening

The Richards Family (missing you Ricky!)

Soooo lucky to have all my aunts and uncle in for the weekend!! and no trip to TN is complete without a stop at Calhoun´s!