More Shoes Please
Viola and Jess went shopping. Viola had to try everything on before bed. The shoes, not the jammies.
Before bed, meaning laying down and not sleeping. Must have been overstimulated at the mall, Nordstrom sale and all.
Mama's shoes, jammies, and trying to wink. Ok, I forgive you, you charming little devil. Beach!
Titlow Beach has lots of rocks you are not supposed to eat...

and lots of rocks you can barely pick up.

Mmmmm, snack time! Crackers and apple sauce taste better at the beach.

Sand castles are fun! But do not mix well with eye rubbing.

Wooooo, woooooooooooo!!!! Train so close and loud, Viola likes them much better in books rather than in person. Me too.

Caribbean
Well, so far I've been in the Caribbean for 9 days on a cruise ship. We finished our work a couple days ago and have been hanging out and quite bored. I thought I would be able to get some work done but wifi costs a fortune and its hard to concentrate when everyone around you is on vacation, leathery, and entitled.
Yesterday, I was able to get out in St. Martin and sail on US55, Stars and Stripes, the 1987 America's Cup yacht that was instrumental in bringing the Auld Mug back to the US after Dennis Conner lost it to the Aussies in 1983. He redeemed himself by skippering US55 to victory in the Louis Vuitton challenge series and then skippering the Young America boat in the finals of the Americas Cup. I need to check my facts but I think that's how it transpired.
This morning i turned on the TV in my cabin and the Americas Cup, which is in the hands of the Swiss, was getting ready to start. Larry Ellison and his BMW Oracle trimaran won the first race handily. You have to love International TV. I've been able to catch a couple Italian Soccer matches as well.
Sunday I say goodbye to the sunny Caribbean and the Solstice and hello to the Eclipse in Papenburg, Germany, where the temperature is currently 20 degrees.
Boy, do I miss Jess and Viola!
Viola's 1st Birthday
Check out the photos of Viola 1st birthday!
Viola's First Steps
We shot this footage November 11. Sorry for the delay!
Taking bets on when she's able to text.
"Uh, Papa, this phone is so old and slow. How am I supposed to text using this prehistoric device."

"Will you buy me the newest one, it has GPS, it's 3G and like 300 times more memory."

"So you can have even more pictures of me."

Walker Walking
On her 9-month birthday, Viola learned a new trick -- walking behind this little cart borrowed from her friend Sascha.
Boston
Jess and Viola as we were walking to Uncle Adam and Stephanie's place in a light rain. She was trying out a new forward facing position in the wrap. Viola seemed fine with it.

Here we are at Mangia Mangia for lunch. I had a fishwich and a bowl of Chowder, Adam had the trademarked Mangia burger, Jess and Stephanie had the Italian sub nicely stuffed with mortadella and cut in half because they're ladies.

Cheese Head
Is that cheese made from the happiest cows in the world?

I've done it!
The cutest Viola picture to date, in my humble opinion. She looks a little cross-eyed but the pediatrician asured us she's not.
