Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Happy Birthday, Gitta!

¡Feliz CumpleaƱos Querida Gitta!
We love you very much and send you hugs and kisses all the way to Paraguay!

We think of you often and are so proud of all that you are accomplishing and learning!

You are so brave and beautiful!

The Peace Corps is so lucky to have you as part of their team!

This is a special photo set up by your beloved brother, Gabriel. He wants you to know that while we cannot send you these (goooooooooooooood coffee, gooooooooooooooooood chocolate and gooooooooooood wine), we will consume them today in honor of your birthday (OK, you know your brother.....).

Well, dear one, please know that tomorrow (or today by the time you read this) we will be thinking of you on your birthday. Know that we are sending you long distance hugs and kisses and, as Liam would say, "a big Huggle". Happy Birthday!!! We love you! ¡Te echamos mucho de menos!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

New Year's in Winthrop, WA.

We rang in the New Year on the east side of Cascade Mountains in the Methow Valley (about a 5 hour drive from Bellingham). We stayed at a friend's house and spent four days cross-country skiing.

We rented a "sled" for Liam, who was a pretty good sport about being pulled each day. We learned to bundle him, stock the sled with snacks, books and blankets. We had to make sure that he got some good, hard "snow time" before we took our ski each day so he would stay put in the sled.
A picture of the valley. It is one of our favorite spots to visit.

Mama Hana's turn to pull the sled. Man...what a work-out!!! Gabe says, "I told you so!"

On our last day, Liam unzipped the side and spent the last half-hour with his head out. He enjoyed saying "hello" to the skiiers who went by.

We broke up our longest ski day by skiing into to the "Mazama Country Store" for lunch, cookies and hot chocolate/coffee. Liam gives his cookie a "thumbs up!" Boy, was it hard to get back out on the trail after that nice break, but we did it.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Christmas Day

We had a very sweet Christmas morning. Gabe, Liam and I woke up at our house in Bellingham and opened presents together. We had breakfast with a friend of ours and then headed down to Mount Vernon for the Mast afternoon festivities and Christmas dinner.
Liam got his first headlamp and decided to wear it through most of Christmas.

Helping Daddy open a present.

Stacking his new blocks.

A new Christmas outfit! Way to go, Daddy!

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!

Liam and I arrived home from Hawaii late on the 23rd. Christmas Eve was spent with Gabe's family in Mount Vernon. Here, Liam, Ashton and Finn play with Mutti's (very large) stuffed penguin.

Poppi reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with much enthusiasm and to the delight of Finnegan.
Liam opens his stocking on Christmas Eve (a Mast tradition)

Our little Christmas tree.

Volcano and the Beach

About midway through our week in Hawaii, we took a hike around part of the volcano. Liam rode on my back for most of it, because the lava was so rough. Then, we found some black sand and he had a blast racing through the "dunes".

Here, Grandpa and Liam head across the dune.

Racing across the sand.

Because we spent our week on the "rainy side" of the island, we decided to drive around the island to Hapuna Beach (near Kona) for a day of sun and sand. Liam had so much fun. Here, he and Noni make a sand castle.

Oh, that sand feels good!

Hawaii!

The Schutz clan (and significant others) spent the last two weeks of December on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. My parents rented a house on the Hilo side for the first week and a house on the Kona side for the second. Liam and I went and visited for the first week and flew home to be with Gabe and the rest of the Mast family for Christmas.

Rory (Perrin's boyfriend), Auntie Lu, Auntie P and Liam hang out on the couch in the condo.

Liam gets ready to "hit the beach" in his surf/sunwear, compliments of his Noni.

Uncle Reub, Auntie Lucia (Reuben's girlfriend) and Liam get ready to hike around part of the volcano.
"The girls" - Mom, Lusana, Perrin, Lucia and Hana

Skiing in Sand Point, Idaho

Gabe's dad (A.K.A. "Poppi") turned Sixty in early December and to celebrate, we gathered in Idaho (a midway-point for Gabe's brothers coming from Montana). We rented a condo near Schweitzer ski area (sp?) and spent three gloriously sunny days cross-country skiing.

The first day, I skiied with Liam on my back. What a workout, but we had a great time.

Liam and Cousin Ashton cuddle in bed together.

The second day, Uncle Damian took Liam on his back. He is a much better skier and very fit, so it was a welcome break. We called him our "Ski Nanny" the rest of the weekend and Liam talked about it for days.

Liam and Cousin Finny (not a great picture of cute Finn) enjoy some time at the condo.

Santa and Noni's horse

December held a lot of very special times for Liam. He met Santa (and Mrs. Claus) at our local Farmer's market in early December. We realized at the time that we hadn't actually talked about Santa to Liam.....so he was a little confused.

Here, Liam sizes up the situation.

Posing with Mama and Santa.

Liam's Noni bought a horse this year. Liam is very excited (and a little cautious) about the prospect of one day riding her by himself. Right now, he likes to give her carrots and "just sit" on her back. Here is Liam and Noni and "Esprit"
.
Liam gets a hand from Auntie Lu and sits on Esprit. Our little equestrian - what a thrill! Esprit is very sweet and gentle with Liam.