inspiration:

Just wanted to share a passage that my yoga teacher shared in class yesterday and of course, more photos of Evan.

It is the third planet from the sun. A tiny, blue sphere spinning for a moment in time. A remarkable place that was kind enought to yield just the right elements to sustain a phenomenon called life. And each creature is as unique as this world we call home. And a day begins in much the same way for all. Maybe that is when it crosses your mind-in the warmth from a ray of sun or the kindness of a stranger-it occurs how one life touches so many others and you begin to see how how all things are connected, like the blood that unites one family. And you come to realize that mankind did not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it, and whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves, on the third planet from the sun.

Sending love to you all.......The Carberry's

Brotherly Love

Just a glimpse into the everyday at our house....and this is probably just the beginning of things to come.

Evan enjoying some alone time:

San-O Saturday

San Onofre Beach is one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. It's just 10 min. south of us and if you come for a visit we'll probably take you here. Locals appropriately call this beach "Old Man's". Surfers of all ages enjoy the slow, gentle, and ample waves that are perfect for long boards. This is where I'll probably try to catch one when either the water warms or I find a wetsuit to use (I'm hoping for the latter either way). Well Sam beat me to it yesterday. Yes mark your calendars: On January 31st, 2009, he caught his first wave riding with Dad. I would have loved to get it on video, but I was a little shocked and simply watched in awe. Joe convinced Sam to come out on a standup board where Joe could use a paddle like a kayak. But instead of standing, Joe sat with Sam standing between his legs for stability . I thought they would just paddle, float, and rock a little bit. Within a few strokes they caught their first wave together and I should pass the pen to Dad now as he can better explain that experience.

You all know Sam's famous excited face, where he raises his hands above his head and makes his beautiful enthusiastic music? To hear that music, we needed the help of our friend Robert Zaleski, the art director at our magazine, who was on a surfboard. He gave us a push to get into the wave and I just took a couple of strokes and ruddered a perfect little right hander. Sam stood there and screamed with excitement as he felt the speed of the wave and the board sliding down its face. Unfortunately, no one could hear him because I was hooting too loud. I was just pumped to have Sam out there with me again. I've heard this excited scream before when we were skiing with him in my backpack; or when he's sitting in the front of my kayak as we paddle Dana Point Harbor. At these times, you can literally feel the touch of God in your lap-or strapped on your back. I guess the family that plays together, stays together.

Before long Joe will have two boys along for the ride. Currently Evan is soothed by the continual sound of the crashing waves. He slept most of the afternoon in the Bjiourn, but I did manage to get a picture of him smiling on the towel. The salt air seemed to help his congestion and hopefully we'll be through with colds soon. Sam is better and recently tried to call Ford and Izabel pretending to talk and hoping they would come over and sit at his little table. Before he went to bed last night he said, "I'm a surfer boy". Yes you are.

Me and the boys pretend surfing (above) while Dad shows us how it's really done (below).

Sometimes you get sand in some not-so-comfortable places. Cheers!

Biker Boy

Lately we've been calling our eldest "Sammy Pajammy" because he would prefer to wear his jammies all day and stay home. However if Sam doesn't get any exercise, he's a little ornery (just like someone else I know). If you have a young child that seems to have endless amounts of energy, you should really consider purchasing one of these balance bikes. I now have to run to keep up with Sam when he rides. We like having a tired Sammy.

Fun in the Tub

Evan is enjoying the big bathtub. He floats, kicks, and dodges the oncoming "loves" from his big brother. Not so relaxing, but hopefully he knew he was coming in as brother #2. Maybe he also knew that as the younger brother, he would also get many of the nasty bugs that Sam brings home. We are just recovering from Pink Eye. Sam has been waking in the middle of the night shouting, "I can't see, I can't see!" I remember that sensation when I was little feeling my eyes glued shut. Luckily I have managed to dodge the boogs this time.... Joe, however, went down with the rest of the boys. Despite the sickness, we are out enjoying the amazing 70-80 degree weather. The photo below is from a recent hike we took at Crystal Cove State Park.

Evan is seven weeks tomorrow. He is smiling now and beginning to coo. He loves to kick and smile at the playmobile overhead. What a cutie-batootie!

Home for the Holidays

Cousins! We miss you.

Christmas in California first. Sam's new bike.

Tackle daddy! Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Carberry's.

Skiing in Idaho.

Somehow I forgot to take many pictures of Evan on his first Christmas, so had to share this one with his Aunt Emily....so sweet.Ready for church.

Love the Grandmas

One of the advantages to living away from family is that when you have a baby, you get grandma help 24/7. This is exactly what I was treated to for the past few weeks. I am certain that this is why I am recovering as fast as I am. Grandma Sue just left today, so "the vacation is over" as Joe so honestly put it. I have lucked out so far as both of my boys have been sleeping for the past couple of hours. Thanks little men for being easy on the new mama of two.

So this post is to honor these beautiful women that cooked, cleaned, shopped, rocked, changed, played, walked, bathed, soothed, read, and pretty much anything else that you can think of, they did. We feel so blessed to have such helpful, loving grandmas. We miss you already and are counting down the days until we fly home to see everyone. Until then I'll leave you with a couple more photos of the boys.......Peace and Joy to all of you this holiday season.

Sam looking like a deer in headlights as he sits on Santa's lap. I couldn't get him to crack a smile. He had been rehearsing the entire time he waited on what he was going to tell Santa and then when it was finally his turn, he couldn't say a word. Well, I guess it is getting better. Last year he just cried.