October (so far)

Evan and Teo. Teo is Tavi's little brother who gets to play at our house while the big boys are at school.

Evan with his friend Amelia at the Santa Ana Zoo.

Still at the Zoo driving the Safari Jeep.

We actually made it to Disneyland! Luckily we got in free because the rain was pouring and the boys were scared. FYI: The Buzz Lightyear ride is a little much for four year olds and way too much for two year olds.

Sam flying high on the only ride that didn't make him nervous.

Keep it simple....right! This is at a park across from the hotel we were staying at in Ventura. Joe got to take the family along for a surfing event he was covering there for SUP Magazine. The boys love to stay at hotels. Sam calls our hotel room, "Our little house." And of course the boys are fascinated with the t.v., the pool, and the breakfast buffet (this hotel had Lucky Charms:).

This is a beautiful and gigantic Fig Tree from Australia planted in the 1800's. The boys had fun climbing on the roots. While playing, we had to watch out for falling figs.

As you may have already noticed from the photos we have had a lot of grey, marine layer days here on the coast in So Cal. A lot for here that is. This last shot is one overlooking what we could see of the Ventura coastline.

Ok sisters (Summer not included)....I am ready to see some more posts! Get back on the blogwagon please. Emily you should start one as well so that we can see a little glimpse of life in Seattle. Love and miss you all!

Brooks

About a month ago Sam exclaimed that he no longer liked his name and he wanted everyone to call him Tavi. Tavi is his school/neighborhood friend who shares a similar liking for make believe. Above you'll find them painting their "guy transporting rocket ship". This name changing business continued even on the first day of school when Sam saw his teacher and told her that he changed his name to Tavi. Here Sam or shall I say Tavi is with Evan heading off to his first day of three days a week preschool. While Sam is away Evan is constantly asking, "Where's Nammy?". Evan may have missed the name changing memo.





More recently Sam has decided that his name is Brooks, another friend who lives around the corner and happens to have a playroom as big as our whole place. Brooks , the real Brooks that is happens to love playing in our play closet. Anyways let me divert a little to somehow pull all of this together.



A couple of days ago Joe helped Sam catch a little lizard which they made a new home for in a jar with holes poked in the lid. After encouragement from myself and Grandpa Jim, the boys agreed to let the lizard free in our back patio. Of course the lizard is nowhere to be seen and Sam is anxious for a pet. He told me he wants a turtle that he can take care of in a little cage. Well this mama is not ready for a turtle just yet. So we agreed we would start with a fish.







It is my pleasure to introduce our very first pet fish named................................................Brooks. Yes I am sure you probably guessed the name and I am hoping that Sam will put the name changing business to rest for now.







Sam giving Brooks a hug. I told him he shouldn't put his hands in the fish bowl if he wants Brooks to live for more than a week. I'll keep you posted!

Get Ready.....

These busy boys are excited to see you!!!!!

Our pizza making project turned into snowboard jumping lego guys.

And now meet Sam as his own version of a Star Wars Storm Trooper:

Also as Spiderman, face-painted at his school carnival:

p.s. Evan's favorite word lately is bum-bum, thanks to the preschool vocabulary of Sammy. Coincidentally it is also his favorite word to call his big brother.

Thanks!

This one goes out to Grandma and Grandpa Carberry for coming to take care of the boys while I went to Missoula to fix my tooth (as well as a little relaxing break from mothering). The kids had a great time and miss having their grandparents watch them ride their bikes over and over again. Don't worry Jim and Sue, we'll be bringing the bikes to Idaho this summer. Thanks again! We love you and look forward to a whole bunch of quality time together just a month away. Thanks to Russ and Julie as well, for a wonderful stay. I felt very spoiled with bike rides, hikes, cornmeal pancakes for breakfast, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and a night out to delicious pizza. The root canal wasn't bad either. Sending love to you all!

Evan's legs are not quite long enough to sit on the seat so he eagerly rides his bike by walking along side it. He'll do this for blocks. Strangers will stop in their cars to tell me how cute he is.

Classic Toy

We love the stairs!

Son's Day

Tonight as I was putting Sam to bed he said, "When is Son's Day?" Not fully understanding him I corrected, "You mean Sunday?"
"No, Son's Day. Then you can get me presents and make me hotdogs for breakfast and waffles too."
Sam, he's full of all sorts of great ideas.

The sons and I celebrating Mom's Day with a campfire, picnic, and bike ride at Caspers Wilderness Area.

Like father, like son. Seriously you must see how they have the same pidgeoned toed walk with an equal tendency to trip a bit.

Snuggly boys napping in the chariot.

You might notice Evan's first haircut. His hair remains white with one black spot still growing in the back.

We took a family shot on this same tree last Mother's Day. Thanks my boys it has been a sweet one.