Dominican Republic

Here is the full length account of our trip to the Dominican Republic to see Grandpa and Babçia on Exit Strategy.  http://exitstrategylog.blogspot.com/2016/02/hola-samana.html 

Live Aboard!

The Boyan / Carrolls at El Limon.  Maya had a high fever and was so tired after the trek out, she ALMOST passed on going out to dinner.

If you are approached by a young man casually wielding a rifle in the caves at  El Parque de Los Haitises, be cool, he's probably just a ranger, no big deal!?!?!?

Guided City Tours are SO TEDIOUS!!!!!  (Says every hungry 8 year old.) 

Jose's Parents, Fior and Rafael, were such generous hosts!

Hotel Doña Elvira in the old city ~ Santo Domingo.  Maya was appalled that the room standards did not meet her Super 8 expectations.  

Last day.  Killing time before the airport at Tres Ojos Caves and the National Aquarium with "Done and Done-er".  I forgot what Maya wanted to do instead of this, probably something to do with snacks.

Spending time with Jose and Amelia in Kzoo before they moved to the DR.

Holidays II

Tree-o-Plenty

Quadruple Recipe.  125 Pierogis

Maya made a few.

Genna made all the mushrooms.

Holiday Time I

The Holiday season began with a pilgrimage to the Nutcracker Ballet.  

Gingerbread houses √

Maya's favorite book series this year has been the "Dork Diaries".  After her heroine, Nicki tries her hand at ice skating, Maya is anxious to follow suit.  Goodbye horses, hello Lawson Ice Arena.  Eventually my kids will stick with SOMETHING!?!?!?  right? 
{Yes, mom, I remember that I tried ballet AND soccer AND gymnastics AND viola AND Girl Scouts....... before I finally found horses and track in 5th grade.}