The "Real Santa"

Santa made a visit to the Dana Point Harbor and we were lucky enough to get him all to ourselves. We are anxiously awaiting the big day and can't wait to see our families and friends in Idaho!

Evan's 3!

Snowboarder Cake

Halloweenie!!

Try not to get too scared by this spooky ghost!!!!

Don't worry there's a strong fireman around to help protect you.

Sam's ghost costume only lasted for pictures (turned out that wearing a sheet around is rather uncomfortable). He was over it and put on his knight costume for trick or treating.

Grandma and Grandpa Carberry joined us this year for Halloween and also to celebrate both of their birthdays. The boys were so excited to design their cake. We made "Lego Guy Golfer Cake".

Love and miss you all soooo much!

Hard Cider

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."  Many of us have heard of this saying.  I think that most of us just don't know that "the apple" is referring to a tall glass of hard cider.  Hard cider or fermented apple juice was the most popular drink during colonial times.  It was more common than water because the fermentation process killed all of the bad bacteria often found in well water.  Also, apple trees were originally planted for the purpose of making cider not for eating apples.  Surprising I know.  I learned all of this on our drive with our friends up to Julian, a small town east of San Diego famous for its apple orchards.  Vila, our friend from Finland gave me this little history on apples in the US.  His plan was to juice 10 gallons of cider.

Cider making production line:  apples ground up, then pressed and poured into five gallon glass jars.  By the end there were happy bees everywhere.  Took two hours to press 10 gallons of cider and will only take 3 wks. minimum to make hard cider.

This is the owner of the apple farm showing us how to run the juicer.  The boys thought that he was a pirate.  While Vila worked, the boys and I went on mission to find the hidden tepee where this "pirate" sleeps.

We picked apples for eating.  The boys loved the simplicity of food growing on trees.  Imagine that!

Apple Orchard Ninja Gang....watch out!



Sam I Am

Sam likes to talk right before he goes to sleep at night.  That is when he wants to tell you about all the the rich ideas and feelings that move through his mind.  Last night he told me, "I have two brains. My second brain is my heart.  It remembers everything.  I think that I can hear a little thinker in there."
Sam carries with him a longing for deep understanding of the world and the way things work. A few days ago he said, "What is God made of?"
I said, "Everything."
Then he asked, "Who made God?"

 Here Sam is ready to go out and learn in the world at his first day of Kindergarten at Journey School.  (Happy here, but the tears came later and for the first week.  Now, thank goodness he loves his school.)

Evan is my helper in the kitchen.  On this particular day we were making Joe's birthday cake and yes Evan is wearing a batter beard.  Yum!

The boys love to celebrate a birthday!

Grandpa Doug

We love you....thanks for the belly laughs!

p.s.  I will post more from our fun summer soon and can't wait for some girlies to get back on the blogwagon.  I thought this would be a nice way to start it off.

School's Out!

Sam finished his last day of Serra Preschool this past Monday. He says he is ready to have more time with his Legos this summer and with his mama (ah what a sweetie). For me, I get all weepy picturing the first day that I dropped him off, such a little guy and now he has grown so much just as all of his friends there have. I realize that we will probably see very little of these Serra friends because most will be going to different schools next year. It is during these big transitions that make me stop and appreciate how lucky I am to share most of my days with our beautiful boys. Many experienced parents have told me, "It really is such a short time." For me, a very special time.

Sam and his teacher, the lovely Mrs. Donaldson. She's a lover for sure.

All the kids got a special treat with their certificates and of course Evan needed one too.





Preparing ourselves for summer break, we went camping up to Lake Arrowhead this past weekend. It is located in the San Bernardino Mountains east of here, less than two hours away if it weren't for the millions of people between here and there. Once we were settled at our campsite we had a wonderful time. Sam and Evan loved their freedom to roam.

The boys showing me their battle stance.

Too cold for swimming...but Sam got convinced to take a dip.

Get me out of here!

We're are looking forward to our time in Idaho this August. xoxo

Sam's Birthday

Sam began telling me about his birthday party last summer. He told me that he wanted space guys on his cake, a rocket pinata, and to have the party at his house. Luckily he kept to this theme throughout the months of asking, "How much longer until I turn five?" He got to celebrate with his friends at school by being the "star friend" and walking around the sun holding the earth. I made a special snack of Sam's choosing for his class. Pizza, strawberries, carrots, and pineapple. Healthy and colorful choices for my big little man. For his special birthday dinner with the family he wanted a taco cart, but settled for mom making the fish tacos.

Let's get this party started!

The cake with space guys, a homemade rocket, star candles, and ice cream frosting as requested.(Evan got to blow out his own little candle.)

The PRESENTS!

Thanks family for all of the lego loot. Everyday since the party Sam has to go to "work" in his room by himself with his new legos. He tells me this as soon as he's done with his breakfast. So cute and I've been able to get some work done too with Evan as my side kick.

These are special times and we are so blessed. Love to you all!

Spring Breakers!

And yet another example of what the Califonia sun can do to winter white vacationers....

Ryan is still smiling because the lifeguard rescued him out of the rip at Salt Creek Beach. This was after Emily was also caught in the rip and Ryan gave her the boogie board.

Look familiar Brian?!


Thanks Emily and Ryan for making the trip. We had a wonderful time with both of you.

Next up: Kristie & Ryan, and then Kati
Yea! Can't wait...and bring your sunscreen!!!!

Costa Rica

Joe and I were able to quench our travel bug with a "work trip" to Zancudo in Southern Costa Rica. Once we arrived in San Jose we took a jumper plane which allowed amazing views of the Pacific Coastline. Our little plane landed on a tiny strip of runway deep in the jungle. As we stepped off of the plane the humid air was like a warm, welcoming hug reminding me that Southern California is definitely a desert. From there we took a taxi to a dock where we got on a boat which would take us to Zancudo Lodge. Compared to much of the traveling Joe and I did in our earlier years this trip was proving to be simple and luxurious. Check out Joe's website for more on our trip:
www.supthemag.com/features/notes-from-the-field-costa-rica
www.supthemag.com/features/notes-from-the-fiel-costa-rica-2/

My afternoon siesta spot, reading by the pool.

We started our days at 5am with the sunrise, ate breakfast, then met up at the boat which would take us to surf, paddle, fish, and explore the many things to do in the area.

The crew: myself-female support, Joe-writer, Sean-professional surfer, and Rob-photographer

Evening Bocce Ball

Joe riding a nice one.

Thanks again G&G Carberry for watching the little guys. I hope you're all finding some reprieve from the winter greys. Love and miss you all!

Christmas Past Due Post

Although we missed being in Idaho with our families over the holidays, we enjoyed not traveling and having a quite, yet still exciting Christmas in California. On Christmas Eve we took a family bike ride up to our friend's pool for an afternoon swim which proved to be an excellent way to burn off some of the boys' energy. That evening Joe treated us to his delicious Chicken Parmesan and I contributed to the feast with homemade Tiramisu for dessert. We continued the Blackhurst tradition of toasting someone at the table. Sam and Evan loved to do cheers and recognized our "special dinner" with candles, music, and flowers. We let the boys open one present that they had given each other. Then they set out the cookies, milk and carrots outside so they were ready for Santa. Once the kids were in bed, Joe and I had so much fun getting everything ready. It really felt magical! Below the boys are in their Christmas jammies from Grandma Sue.

Let the fun begin!!!! Legos, motorcycles and Scooby Doo.

A look from above at the mess.

Now it's time to play!

We celebrated Christmas Dinner with our friends Jeff, Nysa, Amelia, and their grandparents. It was another warm, sunny day so we barbecued steaks and salmon at their house. It was a special season and Sam is still wondering why it can't be Christmas all the time. We love and miss all of you very much!