Halloween 2009

There goes cinderella, and there's a vampire. Wait is that Winnie the Pooh? Nina's first time trick or treating was a success although it took her some time to get acquainted with the concept of collecting candy in her pumpkin bucket. Stasiu was taking one for the team in his cow outfit but had a good time as well.

Nina two years old!

Another year has passed and our Nina has become quite a little lady of two! A birthday cake with real candles, a tricycle, life-size Elmo, games, books and lots of other presents. What more could a girl ask for?! She had a great day.

Mast Maintenance

Some of the lines that came with "B" were not of use for us anymore and were only causing trouble. We decided to take them out. Unfortunately they were connected to the mast at approx. 40ft (12m) high. A bosun's chair was purchased and as Anita has the brain (and the lowest body weight) and Staszek the muscles, a decision was quickly made: Staszek winched Anita up the mast. Good that she brought her camera....

Sailing again

A quick impression on how we spent our last weekends....

Celebration

The first evening after "B" was launched we called the babysitter and celebrated our boat's arrival with champagne on deck.

B's Maiden Voyage in Lake Michigan

After stepping the mast in the morning and tuning the rigging in the early afternoon, we were ready at 3pm. The engine started without any problem and was running smoothly. We made a short stop at the yacht club were we picked up Anita and the kids and of we were. Stasiu found his place in the cabin and Nina preferred Daddy's shoulder.

Light winds, in fact almost no wind at all (3-5kts), but this was good to get acquainted with the boat. We sailed for a good two hours and after that it was time to find our new slip in the harbor. Slowly we turned in our slip and docked without problems. The boat seems very controllable at low speeds and is stable and without surprises in reverse. All in all a successful first trip.

Arrival in Lake Michigan

Today was D-day. After some unexpected delays 'B' was to arrive in Waukegan today. At 11AM we received the telephone call from the trucker that he was 20 minutes from Waukegan and at 11:30 we saw our boat coming around the corner. She's in the water now and tomorrow we will step the mast and finalize the rigging. After that it's time for our first sail... We will have an additional hand on deck from a more experienced sailor neighbor so stress levels are expected to stay low.

"B" is on her way....

From Fort Lauderdale to Waukegan; from the Caribbean to Lake Michigan. She's on her way to her new owners who cannot wait....

Yes, this is our 'new' boat. A 2002 Dufour Gib'Sea 37 that we 'rescued' from slavery at a charter fleet in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In Lake Michigan she will be able to relax from her Caribbean adventures.

Stasiu's tummy time

In bed, the bouncer or high chair is fine, but for Stasiu tummy time is even better because then you can move around and do a couple of push up while you're at it :)

Stasiu's first high chair adventure

Being four months old, the time of solid foods is nearing so sitting up in the high chair is a must. Practice makes perfect so now every day Stasiu takes a look at the world from a whole new perspective in preparation for his next step.

Loving Siblings

Nina loves Stasiu and Stasiu loves Nina. Nina is always busy bringing Stasiu toys and blankets. Stasiu can't stop smiling when he sees Nina.

Sailing Lake Michigan

Wheelbarrow rally

Babcia & Dziadek Summer visit 2009