Crystal Mountain

The Schultz Family took a mini vacation up to Crystal Mountain. We spent the weekend in the beautiful snow. Dad strapped on his snow shoes for exploration and I spent a good portion with Joey and cousin Phil cross country skiing (it was lit until 11pm - really fun to ski at night).
Althea and Maya had fun in the snow as well.

We stayed at a big lodge and enjoyed movies and brownies.
Maya enjoyed the hot apple cidar and I was partial to the hot chocolate.
Maya thought the lodge and her Elmo slippers were pretty cozy.
Maya loved the pool game downstairs. You could hear her rooting everyone on in the game.



Nokomis and Althea strapped on downhill skis for the first time.
They were so good that they only spent one trip down the bunny hill before moving to the larger hills.
Nick, Laura, and Phil joined them as well.
The highlight of the weekend was the paintball biathlon that Joey and Phil competed it. Joey did get the fastest ski time but came in third due to his poor shooting. Really fun to watch.
Here are Joey and Phil at the finish line...

Sunny California

Maya and I packed our bags and left the freezing cold for sunny california. We timed the trip just right, enjoying 80 degree weather for the week.
We spent a good portion of the week soaking in the sun at the parks with her daddy!
Miss CA girl loved the fact she could run around barefoot and put her toes in the sand (our biggest struggle in MI is keeping socks on in the frigid weather).
Maya was thrilled to see her very wonderful Aunt Mary. "You know Aunt Mary always says Girly Whirly and Okie Dokies Pokies. She is just so silly," says an excited Maya.

We were able to see a few friends in the craziness of the week (but missed so many others - we will be back to see more).
Robert, Ailene, Isabella and baby Gabi all met us at Bob's Big Boys.

Maya picked her first orange from an orange tree.
We were able to spend an evening with cousins Logan and Bannon.

And we had to see her Uncle Jeremy for a wonderful evening of dinner, cake, kitties and of course, good ole fashion swinging in the air fun!


Maya and I also headed to the Ahmanson Theater to see Mary Poppins with cousin Audrey. We met up with Sherry and Zoe for a fun (but long) afternoon of singing and dancing. Maya was especially thrilled at the end when Mary Poppins flew through the air right in front of us, waved at her, and then ascended into the ceiling.



A wonderful week and a long trip back (Maya is quite slap happy as we waited for our delayed connecting flight).

Time to say good-bye to the Nutcracker

It is time to lose the Nutcracker CD. Her obsession is taking over. But before I did, I thought you might want a glimpse of dancing Maya to the Nutcracker with her Uncle David. Her rendition of the Arabian is just too good...

Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful New Years Eve. Started out with COUSINS! Maya was thrilled to see Jack and Isabella for a day of hot dogs, costumes, Christmas presents and just good fun pretend play.


In the evening, we headed to Judy and Joel Van Kuiken's house for homemade Chinese dumplings. They have 3 adorable kids, Alex, Isabelle and baby Lila. We had a marvelous time eating our way into the new year.

Maya was completely satisfied with the dumplings. In fact, when we were outside, Maya screamed, "I love dumplings!" When I started to laugh, she quickly said, "Mom, don't laugh." This is a serious dumpling love.
The adorable baby Lila!
Finally back at home, we truly toasted in the New Year with sparkling cidar and chocolate fondue.

So, everyone, raise your chocolate covered marshmallows to 2010!

More Nutcracker and Christmas 2009

Maya's special Christmas gift was her very own Godfather, Uncle Jeremy's arrival from LA. Not only did they spend an afternoon building a Snow Princess but they attended none other than Maya's newfound obsession, The Nutcracker.
Given it was the last of 6 performances, she was sure to tell Jeremy about each part of the show.


Jimmy made it in time to see Nokomis as a Bon Bon.
On Christmas Eve, we spent the afternoon with our dear friend Val who has been very sick. We are hoping she will get better soon.
Christmas Eve night started off with a fantastic party.


Unfortunately, Nick did get some lamb grease poured on his leg and spent a few hours in the emergency room (a truly hot party). He is fine and doing much better.

Christmas morning started off with the obligatory stair picture. The family has grown quite a bit!

Nokomis and Althea were giddy with excitement.




To make the storyline complete, Jeremy did buy Maya her very own Nutcracker. She has since then cradled, kissed, fed and slept with the wooden doll. His arm continues to break off because he is so "fragile" but it does not keep Maya from carting him around everywhere.

After the incredible pile of gifts were opened then came the game playing...

and more eating. I am still full!