This is the last birthday post I promise! It was so great to have so many of our friends come up to celebrate! To be honest the party was more for me :) But, V's birthday was a good excuse to get all my friends together! Thanks for coming!


Scarlett and Violet by the pool...

Jylare, Scarlett and Jaimola

Jylare and Scarlett

Ani and Kate

The girls by the pool...

Char, Violet, Jylare and Scarlett

Char, Cam, Hudd and Anna- so great to be together in America!

Ani, Char, Carly!!!!!

More birthday!


This was right after Violet grabbed the burning candle. She had tears coming down her cheeks as she ate her chocolate cupcake...

She loved her birthday bbq. Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese... her favorite!

On her birthday eating her first piece of cake. She loved it!


Trying out her new favorite toy from grandma Margaret. SO fun! We can't get her off of that thing!

Admiring the beautiful cake that I made for little V.


We are a happy family!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIOLET!




I can't believe it was one year ago that we were in the hospital in Shanghai holding our sweet little girl in our arms. That day changed my life forever. I am so grateful for this beautiful little girl. She is vivacious and fun, loving and kind, sweet and smiley. She brings sunshine wherever she goes. She makes life more meaningful. I never knew my heart could love this much. Happy Birthday to my sweet Violet!

Little jammers in the morning

Sunset is my favorite time of day. The Santa Barbara sunsets are the most beautiful ones I have ever seen out of anywhere I have been in the world. I love the colors and I love this sweet Violet!
Sunday evening stroll? Almost! When do you think little V will be walking by?

Happy Santa Barbara Sunday sunset!

crafty me :)

I have been wanting to buy Violet some letters ever since she was born. I was hoping to have them in her room for when I brought her home from the hospital... but I could never find any that I thought were cute enough for her. So, after a year of searching I decided to make my own. I bought some wooden letters and then modge podged away!! Thanks to my friend Kirsten I am now a professional modge podger.... its amazing! You can pretty much modge podge anything and make it look amazing. I am so glad V finally gets her letters. :)

Have a happy St. Patricks Day!

Beautiful view.
Violet in her green outfit for St. Pattys.

Violet and her aunt (my little sister) Juliette. Jewels and Violet have so much fun playing together.

A quick trip to Hawaii on our way home...

Me and Megan and our baby girls. They totally bonded on this trip. :)
Violet cheering for her uncle Andrew at his volleyball game against Hawaii. Go Cougars!
Violet and her cousin Allie "floating about it" in the pool.
All the people waiting to watch the Tsunami... luckily it never came!!
Violet LOVED the kids pool. She scooted back and forth and played with the fountains ... so cute!
This is Hana. We made it all the way there! It was a little rainy that day but still very beautiful and we had such a great time on the drive.
Violet in her Hawaii outfit. :)
Lets just say Violet takes after her mom and dad... she LOVES pina coladas!
Beautiful day in Maui
Rainbows and sunshine.
Cameron taking little V for a swim.

We had such a fun trip to Hawaii! Besides the tsunami scare everything was completely relaxing. We had a great time with Lance, Megan, Allie, Courtney, Austin, Ashley, Andrew, Nolan and Margaret. There is nothing quite as therapeutic as some sunshine, blue water, smoothies by the pool, a trashy magazine to enjoy at the beach and family! :)

Last day in Shanghai

A beautiful sunset stroll along the Riverside Promenade across from the Bund.
Walking over a clear floor at 1,148 ft at the top of the Pearl TV tower in Pudong. Violet was so brave!
Jinmao Tower and The Shanghai World Financial Center- such beautiful buildings.

Cam and Violet in the taxi.

It was so sad to say goodbye to Shanghai! After 2 1/2 years of living in that city it became our home. We loved the people, places and exciting atmosphere. We will never forget the friends we made, the experiences we shared or the numerous adventures we had. Shanghai will forever hold a very tender place in our hearts.

This is Sweet Violet