san fran

We just got home from a quick trip to the Bay area, we had fun at a Disney Train Tour promoting "The Christmas Carol" movie coming out for the Holidays, then we headed to Discovery Kingdom for a couple of days. We had a blast! Makenna's favorite ride was the Tony Hawk and the Roar (a wooden roller coaster that drops 10 stories at one point). Ben took her on the wooden roller coaster, and Makenna was shedding a few tears as the roller coaster was loading up, she almost changed her mind, but the competitor in her wouldn't back down...she went and she loved it!

Luke's favorite ride was a red train and the helicopters that went up and down depending on how you pushed the joystick. So fun, and so cute to watch their happy little faces. Discovery Kingdom also had some amazing animal shows. We saw Dolphin shows, Shouka, the Killer Whale, and tigers.

The Train Tour was amazing! It describes how they made this movie using a combination of acting and animation. Special sensors are placed on the actors bodies and faces, the computer recognizes movements and facial expressions, then they animate the character. At the end of the tour they had kiosks set up to take your picture and allowed you to morph your face into the different characters. Makenna's favorite was Belle, and Luke loved himself as the ghost! Then we headed over to take a sneak peak of the movie.

Makenna was interviewed by the Oakland Tribune, and was quoted in the next day's paper as saying: "It was cool to see how they did movies. I'm very grateful I got to go on this train with my parents. I was excited to see the movie. I also enjoyed getting my face morphed into Belle." Needless to say we made a stop at the store the next day and bought Makenna a paper to keep in her "special box".

No trip to California is complete without a stop (or, in our family, a couple of them) to In-n-Out, and this trip was no exception. We stuffed ourselves silly on grilled cheese sandwiches (my favorite) and milkshakes (you should see Jared go to town on those! He definitely has the sucking thing figured out!)

All in all the trip was fantastic. We did have our moments of baby food being flown into my hair, and poo water flying out of the toilet (don't ask.) But all things considered it was a great trip and great memories were made for all!

Makenna and Ben taking a virtual tour of London, where the movie takes place.

Kissy face

Ben and Makenna morphing themselves into different characters.

This is a perfect picture, it captures everyone in the phase they are going through. Makenna is being goofy, Luke shy, and Jared constantly distracted.

What a goof ball! Getting ready for the 3D sneak peek to start.

Then, we headed to Discovery Kingdom...Makenna and Jared on the Thomas the Train ride.

These two had the best day.  Watching them laugh and ride on

different rides together made my day.  They are at such a great age right now, 

where they get along and play so great together.  Memories were made, and bonds

were formed that I hope will carry with them a lifetime.

ferrari

Yesterday we were all hanging out in the playroom and Luke brings 4 Matchbox cars up to me and Ben and says, "Mom and Dad, look! I have 4 Ferrari's!" He holds them out to show me, and because I know very little about cars and what they look like, I just agreed with him, but thinking in the back of my mind that there were probably a mixture of different cars.

Then he grabs one and flips it over and "reads" the back. (can't quite read, but he knew that's where the name of the car was at) "See, Ferrari." Grabs the next, flips it over "Ferrari", grabs the next, flips, "Ferrari", and the last one: "Ferrari!" This may not seem to be a huge deal, but he has SO many Matchbox cars (thanks, Grandma!) we found it funny that he had figured out in his mind that he had 4 that matched, even though the body styles are different.

nummy numminess

I have a secret love affair with these:

I can eat (and sometimes do) a whole pan by myself. Yum-flipping-o!
Bread Sticks
1 1/2 C. warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp salt (I use a tad less)
4-6 C. flour
1/4 C. butter
1/4 tsp. (or so) Garlic powder
Parmesan Cheese

1. In a medium bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let stand 10 mins., add salt and flour until it's not sticky
2. Knead, then cover and rise until double.  Roll out dough into rectangle, cut into strips and twist.  Place in greased pan.
3.  Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan, Bake in preheated oven.  400 for 15-20 mins.