European Vacation

Vacation time! In August all of Spain shuts down. Quite literally everyone takes off for vacation season and in the case of Ricardo´s family living in Bilbao, the offices literally close for 3 weeks where you are forced to take your vacation days at that time. So every year you can find the de Abiega´s on a trip to somewhere. We joined them this year for a week around Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. I was a bit hesitant since this was my last week allowed to fly, however I survived. The tough part was the driving. Nearly 4-5 hours everyday! When we travel..... we travel hard! 

 

This one is for mom- Italian Gelato, her favorite!

first stop Sirmione- a beautiful little village on the lakes (and it was hot!!!)

Next on to Riva di Garda- on lake Garda, this village is set in the middle of mountains and is breathtaking! I could have spent 3 days just here alone.

The Dolomites- Pozza di Fassa. While I didn´t make the hike, the views were out of this world from every spot! (This is only 30 minutes from where I went skiing when I lived in Italy. So beautiful in the summer)

Ricardo and I at the overlook in Ortisei

Cortina D´Ampezzo- loved this town. Ricardo and his brother spent the morning biking the route of the Giro de Italia! We spent the day enjoying a nice breakfast, shopping, walking thru the streets and a nice big Italian lunch!

The view from our hotel balcony

Picking out Carolina´s new stroller!

Liubljana- Our quick day trip to Slovenia, which was a nice suprise. I´d been to the mountains in Slovenia before, but this was a charming little city with cute bars and restaurants on the riverfront.

On to Croatia- 1st stop Plitvice National Park

Beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and scenery. 5 hour hike around the park! I was so proud!! and by the end- Ricardo was literally pushing me up the hills!

Detour to Krk Island- instead of following the rest of the fam a bit further south, we took a shortcut to the coast and spent the next 2 days on a lovely island, at a lovely hotel and enjoying a bit of a break from the running around.

and back where we started- Venice!

Delicious meal at a restaurant near our hotel in Cannaregio- the Jewish Quarters- highly recommended area- with quiet streets, great food and easy to get to the airport and all the main sites in Venice

Scenes from Venice

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!