Saturday, 4 March 2017

Spring Break 2015 - San Diego

Love combining work and pleasure...and Maya, so brave to fly to San Diego on her own to meet mommy on a business trip!  It's been fun spending time here - playing with Fletcher, San Diego Zoo, and of course lots, and lots of beach time.  Perfect spring trip!  PICTURES


Hawaii (Kauai) 2016

Our best trip to Hawaii yet.  Kauai proved to be breathtaking...but it's likely the kids' ages that are made it truly special.  We had an adventure nearly every morning - from jumping off cliffs to helicopter rides, to hiking the Napali coast (only a bit of it, to be fair) to great snorkeling trips, we loved every minute.  Very lucky to be able to live so close to Hawaii...PICTURES



Skiing 2016 - and winter fun!

Kuba's first real, real debut on skis.  Ski school was a bit of challenge on the first day....there were LOTS of tears.  Bribery also lost its magic.  But finally, mommy and daddy left and Kuba decided that he had not much left to do but to try to ski.  It was amazing to put all three kids in school so that we could ski by ourselves.  After waiting for 7 years, these little steps give us some little previous of freedom that is much, much appreciated.

Oh, and mommy got to sneak in a short trip to Sundance - so much fun!  PICTURES


MLK weekend - first time I have it off!


It's amazing what an extra Monday off in January can do (as my first full year at Airbnb shows).  We decided to visit Big Sur and do a ton of hiking.  Spectacular views again...kids are getting to be great hikers!  PICTURES


NYE 2015 - here we go Mendocino


It is always amazing to be at the edge of the ocean and particularly spectacular with close friends over NYE.  Lots of hiking and playing.  Stunning views.  Lots of wine.  Excited to start a new year!!! PICTURES


Christmas 2015


Nutcracker in SF, Christmas trees / cookies and of course grandma and grandpa.  PICTURES


Nutcracker - getting ready...

After a mouse the first year - Ella is moving on to a little solider.  Lots of fun!  Proud parents :) PICTURES



Thanksgiving 2015

We hosted for the first time in years.  The Spardas and Grandma came over for a great evening, and then early on Friday we bolted to Yosemite.  With all the snow, the hiking and views were spectacular.  Tanaya Lodge did not disappoint, particularly the Gingerbread House competition.  Loving Thanksgiving there.  PICTURES



Halloween 2015 - here we go!

Family theme this year???  Cats! Great weather and lots of candy, of course...But mommy also had to a get a little scary in the morning for the office... PICTURES


Fall 2015

It's that time of the year again....apple picking, pumpkin carvin', soccer, and a beautiful trip to Clear Lake.  Everyone is getting settled in school and getting ready for Halloween!  PICTURES


And Maya starts Kindergarten!!!


Here we go...only one left!!!  A little nervous but also super excited (as are mom and dad).  All the best to this little curious, spunky, funny, and intrepid little girl!  Way to go Maya!  Loving Ella taking care of her little sister too.  And Kuba starts 'nature school' by painting the bus.

10 Years - WOW!


It's been 10 years since Daddy and Mommy got married.  TEN YEARS!!! To celebrate, we took a little mini trip up to Canada to the Gulf Islands in British Columbia.  Started off in Vancouver and then luckily took a little sea plane to Pender Island where we spent a few days hiking, kayaking, sailing and just relaxing.  10 amazing year....can't wait for the next 10!  PICTURES


Campin' and Gampin'

It has been an epic summer.  We had a great camping trip to the Redwoods with the Rennies and down to the coast with Jill and Pete.  Lots of hikes, redwoods, beaches, and even saw some dolphins. Fortunate to be living in California....
PICTURES



Poland Summer 2015


An epic trip.  We were not sure how the kids would do, especially Kuba who was only 3.  We moved A TON.  Several different locations in Poland starting with Warsaw for just a night at my brother's house to get settled.  Then ALL of us (Grandma and Grandpa included) moved on to the lake district, Mazury where we did a lot of boating, and relaxing.  Then Sopot at the coast - where we met up with Iza and Andrzej for a bit...then all the way south to Zakopane for an unbelievable 4 nights with Ania and Rob and their kids.  The views were stunning - what a life!  Then for a couple of nights to Wroclaw to visit family.   A journey that I hope the kids won't forget for a very long time.  We even stopped by to see Polkowice and my old school. The paczki from the same pastry shop tasted as deliciously as they did 20 years ago.  I hope we get to come back sometime soon.  PICTURES


School is ending....done with 1st Grade for Ella and pre-school for Maya!

Wow!  That flew by fast.  On to a great summer...first some final ballet rehearsals...and on to the first sleep-away camp for Ella.  Such a big girl.  Mommy and Daddy are quite proud...and I think that some tears were shed but with Siena all seemed better.  Sneaking in Father's Day on top of Mt. Tam for pancake breakfast and Ella's first major piano recital.  PICTUREShttps://goo.gl/photos/Z1P15W7KzqqxHLZNA

We found our new favorite spot in Tahoe!!!


This time with Wendy and Sam - some early summer fun over Memorial Day - getting ready for summer at our favorite spot.  We love the house so much that we hope to come back.  Old Greenwood is such a sweet home for the summers...lucky kids.   PICTURES


Disney 2015


I finally caved in.  It was not too busy, got to go with Jill Krimmel and her sister, and the girls did have fun.  We did not stay long.  We did not know many characters.  But some of the rides were spectacular!  And breakfast with the ferries was, in fact, fun.  And well - at the end we go to see Elsa and Ana!



Easter 2015

Ella lost her front teeth, grandma and grandpa came to visit, and of course the Easter bunny also paid a visit.  We hiked to the top of Tam on Easter Sunday with beautiful views of the bay.  PICTURES


Birthdays 2015

And!!! It's the birthday season again!  Maya is turning the big 5, Ella 7 and Kuba at the end in April a big THREE!  Rollercoasters, some children's theater, and many parties at  to celebrate.  Maya got to even celebrate in Hawaii. They are growing too fast.... PICTUREShttps://goo.gl/photos/UTT7hsFJs8ZHqZjV9




Wednesday, 4 January 2017

Little Hawaii...March 2015

We returned to Hawaii in March - this time for some Maui adventures.  Kids are getting just a bit older, able to snorkel and chase fish.  Even Kuba got in the open water.  And Maya got to celebrate her big Hawaiian Birthday (turning FIVE!) And of course we got a visit from Aunt Niki as well who is living in Hawaii and flew in from Oahu for a short visit.  Great trip.  PICTURES