Fall is in full swing. . . 2nd grade, soccer, fall swim team, Brownies, daddy is back to work, mommy's busy work season and more. We are enjoying and living life though these crazy days, even though many of them are busier and longer than we'd like. With the schedule chock full, I'm reminscient of the amazing summer we had. It was a summer of memories and time spent connecting. Below are a few more of our summer highlights before I post on our Fall adventures.

Two wheels!

Happiest family on earth

kickin it with Mater

Last weekend of summer day out on the town
 

Summer lovin

Our 2012 Summer has been full and fun. I need to post "real" pictures from my camera when I get them downloaded. Below are a few highlights taken from my phone.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and magic of California and have treasured every moment of new memories. I am reminded daily that we have to experience life and create memories that will last in our hearts. This summer has truly provided that.

More pictures of many more memories to come. . . .

Michelle

Six. . . it just flew by!

I am busy planning Ava Lu's 7th birthday party, and in the midst of all the details, I am struck by how fast her 6th year of life flew by.  VBS, Swim team, Tahoe, soccer, Daisy Scouts, 1st grade, learning to ice skate (and loving it!), "thrill rides (kid size, that is) at Six Flags, real homework, learning to read, Chinese dance, skiing and so much more, has filled our days with joy as we watch Ava Lu embrace each day with an amazing love for life and people.

I am always a little sad her age increases to another number because I truly love each age we've been blessed to experience with Ava Lu. She is truly our daughter of promise and a constant reminder of God's fulfillment and plan for our lives.

- Michelle

December!

We are nearing Christmas and December seems to be streaming by. This year feels a bit more crazy and busy. I think it's my very busy work that has added to the hecticness and not the enjoyment and celebrations we are trying to ensure happens.

Speaking of enjoyment, we did go on our annual tree cutting day at the end of November. It was a beautiful in the foothills. Hard to believe the ground was covered in snow last year when we went up.

We are enjoying this Christmas season and praying for continued Peace in our hearts as we reflect on Christ, God's own son!

Michelle

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Beauty found on blogs

I discovered Jennifer Rizzo's Web site today and such beauty abounds in her items. I love the mixture of vintage, creativity and fresh touches. She's offering a give-a-way of some amazing items including a vintage picnic basket filled to the brim with goodies. The winner will receive:1- in flight pillow cover1-white linen La Parisien pillow cover3-number towels3-french inspired tea towels3-tea time tea towels1-set of vintage inspired cloth napkins1-hat and fingerless glove set1-set (4) of tea plates1-set(2) of vintage ironstone mugs1-vintage book and organic tea lavender sugar.

Finding fabulous items and beautiful blogs are my main drive behind blogging and visiting other blogs. I learned about Jennifer's items while visiting a favorite blog tonight. I have purchased a number of items on blogs I would have never heard of had I not entered the blogging community. So, head on over to her site and enter to win her give-a-way and to her etsy to purchase something lovely just for you! I am particularly fond of darling pillow

Happy shopping,
Michelle

Fall is here

I am so seriously behind on blogging so I'm not going to attempt to catch up right now. Fall is upon us and that means so many things in our house. Ava Lu started 1st grade, soccer season is in full swing and a busy busy time for me at work with our annual Care Begins with Me event. Ava Lu and daddy stopped by the event this year to see the fruit of mommy's many hours at work. It was a great event. Abby Rike from The Biggest Loser was our keynote speaker. What an amazing night.

This is my 4th year of planning this event. What a blessing to work on such an amazing women's event! This year was truly our best year. The last photo is me with my boss, Jill and colleague Robin at the end of the night. We were pooped but somehow refreshed!

I'll share more on our family fun this fall very soon,

Michelle

Swim team

This is Ava Lu's second year on swim team and oh it is so much fun! She is improving with each week, lesson, practice and meet. What's most important is that she is enjoying it thoroughly.

I love the dedication, focus and spirit in which she brings to this sport. She's a tiny mite and we are soooo proud of her. She may be the smallest on the 6 and unders (and she's 6) but she has all the heart.

Go Gators!

Michelle

Celebrating America - Happy 4th of July

It's always an honor to celebrate our Great Country and the Freedom we have as Americans. We got to celebrate it for four days this year. I only took a few pictures of Ava Lu on my phone (which are not the best quality) but I can't help but capture her in red, white and blue.

The first day we went to a neighborhood block party. It's a fun night that our association plans. . . filled with activities for the children and a fireworks show. We met up with our CG neighborhood friends for such a great night kicking off our 4th of July festivities.

The second day we went to our Cabana Club. They plan a celebration each year at the pool and the night ends with another great fireworks show! We had friends join us at this fun night as well. We are blessed by such wonderful friends in the neighborhood.

The third day was our 4th of July celebration at church. It was a great service but the treat for me was the parade at the end with all the children carrying festive 4th of July handmade flags, stars, etc. The tears were flowing. . . I will was reminded of how blessed we are that God sent us all the way to China to fulfill his promise of our daughter and to see her proudly celebrating America is just something I hope that I never take for granted. We enjoyed a BBQ and then another trip to the pool.

Today was actually 4th of July and we spent the day with my mom joining us. . . relaxing a bit with a matinee and then a BBQ at the pool (again).

I am thankful to God for our freedom, our great land and my amazing family.

I am truly proud to be an American!

Michelle

Easter. . . a joyous celebration!

Easter is such an amazing time of celebration and emotion for me. I am so thankful for Jesus and his love for us. This year, Ava Lu sang in an Easter choir at church for the first time. I was extra celebratory and emotional!

We had a wonderful day with family and celebrating the risen Lord!

Ava Lu's mommy did it!

So, given this blog is really about Ava Lu and not me, I first had to show the poster she made for me as she and her daddy stood on the sidelines to cheer me on at my first and hopefully not last, half marathon.

I am so blessed. She told me that she could see me on the big TV when I crossed the finish line and that "I won." She told me I was the best mommy ever at the half marathon. So sweet! I told her that she makes me "win" with her unconditional love for me.

So, here's to believing in what we never thought we could accomplish. . . and to the sweetest little cheerleader in the world!

Michelle