Happy Birthday Lucy!

I know we don't talk about this much, but the truth is, John and I have a daughter too!

And our sweet Lucy-Lu has turned 5 today! She is a Valentine's Pup!

Lucy at Shi Mao (our compound/high-rise complex) in Shanghai. It had a dog park and lake! Right in the center of the city!

Lucy was in Heaven!

Pooped after a hard day of playing at the park! Of course, the ball is never too far. (Again in Shanghai) I can't believe we let her on the beds back then. I kind of feel bad about that now.

Carter and Lucy are really becoming friends! It is the sweetest thing. Carter LOVES to "throw" the ball for her! She always tries to bring it back to me. I'm not sure if the 2 feet throw is up to her standards for fun. Ha ha.

We had this bed of Chinese silk made for her at the fabric market in Shanghai. Can you tell, she was our first child? Poor girl really took the back seat when Carter came along. :(

Lucy, we found this picture under your bed!!! This must have been taken while Daddy and I were out of town and the Sexton's were watching you!!! We are very disappointed in your decisions!! (Those Sextons are very irresponsible!) Your grounded! ;)

Lucy, we love you and had no clue we could love a dog this much!!

Lucy, We're Home!

We are officially in Shanghai, China!

And here begins our newest adventure!

Lucy and I met up with John just under a week ago and were so excited to see him waiting for us at the airport. He has been here for about a month...just enough time to work out some of the kinks* that go along with moving to a whole new country, once again.

Our newest home is in the Shimao Riviera Compound. While a compound may not sound too inviting, it basically means western community. To me it feels like I'm on a cruise ship or a resort in the middle of a city. There are seven high-rise buildings surrounded by pools, parks, gardens, and two club houses...and that is what makes up our "compound."

Here is Photo Tour 1 of new home.

Welcome home! 45E. That's right, 45th floor. We are pretty high up there.

This picture was taken in our foyer. Behind me is the front door shown in the first picture above. To my left is the semi-private elevator, which drops us off right here inside the foyer of our apartment. To my right is another table and mirror much like the one above. (Confusing, I know)

Okay, now I'm in the house. See the door to the foyer/elevator at the left? You can choose to go to the left toward the closet or to the right. On this tour we are going to the left.


Dining room which opens to living room too.

Here is the living room! Love the floral couches? So do we. ;) Honestly though, awesome view of the river and all of Shanghai. Pretty nice tv too.

Master bedroom from living room entrance.

And another angle...with the Luce-inator creeping into the picture!

Master bathroom...complete with bidet and tv. I wish the water was clean here and that we could just use the bidet as Lucy's water bowl! How easy would that be? Am I sick? No? Maybe?


And the opposite view from me standing in the tub!

Photo Tour 2 will come later when I have the patience to upload them onto here. It will feature the kitchen, guest rooms, other bathrooms and scary maid's quarter.

*kinks include: finding a place to live, negotiating club house membership, finding places to eat, figuring out how to get around when everything is in a different language with different characters, deciding how to plug-in our electronics with plugs from the US, Norway and China....and most of all kinks include finding a hair dryer and hair straightener with ceramic plates. Way to go Johnny!