Birthday PARTY!

Here are several highlights from the celebratory week:

Sam with the earth in his hands took a walk around the sun four times symbolizing the four full years he's been here. After his big day at school as "star friend" he had a party in the park with his friends.

Prior to the actual day, we went with Grandma Carberry to the Wild Animal Park. Our favorite was seeing the five day old baby elephant. One of the kid's favorites was the playground.

Sam with his teacher Mrs. Donaldson preparing him for his big walk.

His choice: A knights and dragons birthday cake

His other request: a pinata (lucky boy)

We finished off our week with a camping trip at the beach. Once again the van is proving to be so cozy for our little family.

Roadtrip

Seven hours in a car with a busy toddler trapped in a car seat can be, as many of you know way too much work. So as I was preparing for our trip north to Santa Cruz I was dreading the drive, particularly out of LA, and hoped my basket of tricks would keep the boys entertained. Despite the "toys" I bring which might work for like five minutes, we end up entertaining each other. On this drive we did a little role playing: Evan impersonating Sam's crazy face (the photo doesn't do it justice you must see this in person). Everyone pretending to be the lead singer in a rock band. Head banging to "crazy music". Sam as photographer. Silly hat swap, etc., etc. We made it and had a great time. I appreciate Santa Cruz for its real, easy-going vibe unlike the sparkly OC and the weather was amazing. Joe worked the waves while the boys and I were able to reconnect with my longtime friend Kristin Kosglow and her boys. (She has two-Ronin 20 months, and Reese 2 months.) Sam loved staying in the hotel and continues to talk about the pool which was actually a hot tub. The drive home went well. We did it at night so the kids slept most of the way. We are looking forward to our trip home to Idaho this July. I am sure there will be many memories made on that 15 hour jaunt. Can't wait!

Excited Evan

Superstars!

Evan and Ronin

Kristin with the babe on the boob-of course!

Found this beauty....the picture doesn't show off its magnificent purple
hue.

Sand, tastes delicious!

Biking Boys

Sam is moving on from his balance bike to a pedal bike. Here he is trying it out for the first time. Evan is trying to get in on the action as well pushing his tricycle. Whatever they ride they are having a blast! This is out in front of our new place and we love that we are no longer on a steep hill next to a narrow street with cars that drive by way too fast. As you can see this is a much better bike riding path.

Evan is becoming quite the little character. He likes to recreate Sam's "excited face" by raising his eyebrows, tightening his jaw and making his face really red (I am trying to capture it on film). He also really wants to talk and is saying more and more everyday...boat, bike, howwwse, meeaboo, pane (plane), yam (Sam), poop, mama, dada, nigh-nigh, boob....which he is now off of, however he seems to remember and continues to ask for them. He is also biting and hitting and doesn't care to stop even when I say no and instead will smack me. He is already taking little time outs for this because I am not sure what else to do. Any suggestions? However, I have to admit he is still cute even when he is being a naughty boy.

Moving! (again)

This time it is just a couple miles down the hill. We're upgrading to a three bedroom that is nicely situated on the bluff overlooking Dana Point Harbor amongst multi-million dollar homes (I'm not sure how we snuck in there). Soon we will have more space so that our lovely visitors can actually have a little room of their own. Of course it will be an office/playroom/guest room. We're hoping it might entice a couple of grandparents to get out here to visit a little more often. Now to tempt a few more of you with cabin fever...It's almost 80 degrees here for crying out loud!

Prior to our present packing project, my two sons and I took a plane to Montana to visit Russ and Julie and get a root canal. The root canal went rather smoothly thanks to Russ and his fine motor skills, but the plane ride with the boys was hectic. Thanks goodness it was a direct flight.

Uncle Russ helped Sam and Evan spin their first bowl. They enjoyed using the tools.

We took Sukha on a walk to the creek and Sam insisted on staying off the trail and running in the woods like Sukha. He would even roll around on his back in the snow just as Sukha did. Pretty cute until it was time to walk back and Sam was all out of energy and wanted me to carry him. Once we got back to their house, Sam went out back to play with the ducks when he was surprised by a couple of deer looking for free food. After I went in to check on Evan, I heard Sam yelling for me and found him hiding in the chicken coop. Not a bad idea considering the deer was a lot bigger than he is.

After returning from Montana, Jim and Sue took an impromptu drive out to see their prized grandsons and help relieve an already tired mama whose husband was about to go into deadline mode @ work. Below the boys still love the blow up bed. Evan thinks he's jumping but his feet haven't quite learned to push off yet. Instead his eyebrows lift as if he really was jumping.

So long Alcazar Street and thanks for the memories....

Here we come Santa Clara!

Silly Boys

We have spent most of the last couple of weeks indoors due to sick kids and torrential rains (finally some real weather here in sunny California and I know I shouldn't complain). Today the sun has returned and the sky is a much brighter, crisper shade of blue and more importantly both boys are well. Sam was the first to catch the stomach bug which only lasted for a day with him, but Evan held onto it for ten long days. I am relieved and catching up on sleep now that Evan has returned to his happy go lucky self. Sam is excited to have his little sidekick back. Yesterday Sam wanted to copy Evan's attire and run around in only a diaper, so of course I had to take a photo. The matching diaper outfit progressed to striped shirts and jam pants.

This shot is Evan, prior to being sick enjoying an entire Haagen Daz Ice Cream Bar (a lick from mine just wasn't enough). Decadence at it's best.

Our version of sledding.

Christmas in Idaho

A glimpse of the action at the Blackhurst's Christmas Eve

Grandpa showing off his new skills on the guitar. Evan approved.

A lucky break from the kids with a sunny day of powder skiing at Pilot's Peak with Brian Compton. Oh how I miss the advantages of having family around.

Sam is ready for fun in the snow in his stylin' Euro one piece. He loved playing with his friend Angus up in McCall.

Our mini snowman. The snow was way too light and fluffy for building regular snowmen.

And now check out Evan enjoying his first taste of the white stuff.

Guess Who Got to See Santa?

.....Well the little guys got to see Santa too. (Thank goodness they kept their pants on.) Evan cried and wouldn't sit for the photo. Sam was amped to tell Santa everything that he wants for Christmas. The list keeps growing. I advice him that he might want to narrow it down a bit.

Sam is sooooooo excited about the gingerbread house we put together! Can you tell?