California

I try to make visits home as often as a can, but given the distance it's difficult to manage too often.  But I go home at least once a year to check in on my family and see friends.  I had a great week home in both southern and northern California.  So great to see my parents, visit friends, eat familiar foods and get some California sun!

Oh, California!  Back in the OC!

Special friends that have remained close even after 8 years away.  

Wonderful relaxing weekend with these ladies enjoying beautiful costal Orange County, good food and laughs.  

OC

Back in the bay.  Had a great visit with my parents and other family, and a quick visit to my home city for a picturesque photo shoot.  

Making the rounds to all the old stomping grounds, including beautiful Stanford University where our then family of three spent three wonderful years.  

First Day of School

Here we go!  Another wonderful summer comes to a close, and off to start another year of school.  Can't believe this is Dallin's second to last year of high school, Madeleine's last year of middle school and Trevon's last year of lower school!  Ready or not, here we go . . .

11th, 8th and 4th

Cousins in London!

Chad and Brooke finally brought the family to London!  I have been hoping and wishing they would come for a long time.  It feels very disconnecting not sharing where you live, especially when that's in another country, with the people that matter most.  It almost feels like living two separate lives.  It felt so good having them here, watching the cousins share time together in our home.  Despite some sickness in the group we had a wonderful week together, showing my brother's family around London and enjoying down time together at home.

It was so much fun watching these two Apple fanatics explore the Apple store at Covent Garden together.  Love the good friends they are!  

Lithuania

Last summer Madeleine and I started a fun tradition of mother daughter trips with our friends RonNell and Harper.  We had such a great time on a long weekend in Warsaw with them that we planned another such weekend in another not-yet-visited European city again this summer.  This time we choose Vilnius, Lithuania.  A prefect, capsule size eastern European city for an enjoyable long weekend.  

Vilnius Cathedral, and the secret miracle tile

Vilnius Belfry

The pretty gnarly looking, but amazingly scrumptious potato dumplings

Crispy tree cake, a baker's stalactite delicacy in Lithuania 

Gediminas Hill and Tower overlooking Vilnius

Sacred pilgrimage sight, Gate of Dawn

St. Anne's Church

Three Crosses, in memory of three crucified monks

Splendid Trakai Castle near Vilnius