For Christmas, I told Scott that the only thing I wanted was to go visit my best friend, Jenny. Well, much to my surprise, he did it! With some help from my sister, he booked the flight and got a hold of Jenny and everything. So, I flew up on a Friday evening and came home on Monday afternoon. I met Jenny in 7th grade PE when we were both 12. We sat next to each other because, at the time, she was Jenny Scott and I was Kelly Thorpe and we were seated in alphabetical order. So, yes, we've known each other for almost 22 years. And we've been through ALOT together!! So, this is Jen and me on our first morning after breakfast. We went to a really great place right on the beach.

Then one night we went to The Cheesecake Factory on top of Macy's at Union Square. On the right is Jen's husband, Lee. I don't know why I am so bug-eyed. I think it's because in the first picture the flash didn't go off and I was trying not to blink, but Jen and Lee look good........I had a wonderful time and Scott and I are hoping to get back up there this summer together.

These are the views from the outside seating at Taco Bell in Pacifica, where Jen lives. Not too bad, huh?? I love Taco Bell, but this made it even better!

So, Jenny and I went to Ghiradelli Square for free chocolate, but we ended up seeing one of the oddest things I'd ever seen. As we were walking, we saw the two guys in the top picture with a big microphone and a video camera.

Then we saw the guy to the very right of the above picture....in a leather mask, "hiding" in the bushes. I was able to get some video, but it's not wanting to post, so I'll keep trying. Basically, we think they were recreating The Bushman over at FIsherman's Wharf. So, we see the video guy talk to a few people and then he talks to this man (all the way to the left, above) who is walking with two young girls (I'd asume, his daughters and probably 2 and 4 years old). So, they all get set, man in bushes, mike guy, video guy and the man with his two daughers. The man walks around the bend and is videotaped as the masked guy jumps out and "scares" him. However, no one seemed to explain any of this to his kids, especially the youngest, who is terrified and SCREAMS after her dad yells, "What the...." And it's not a bad word, that's all he said. Well, it was odd and funny, but also a bit sad because, as I said a few times in the video, if that little girl's mom had been there, no way masked guy would have been allowed to jump out..... Sorry guys!

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CHUCKIE!!!

So. when I got home from San Francisco, this is the face that greeted me! It seems that the cute, scrinchy smile turned into a mean face. We've started calling Mia "Chucky" after the doll in the movie, "Child's Play".

I know--it's freaky!! She really is a sweet girl, though!

This is more like Chuckie face and rock star face combined!!

She looks like she's going to come across the ottoman and ATTACK!!!

And this is, apparently, what started this face in the first place....Uncle Tony!

Playdate

This last Saturday, Annie had her first playdate here at our house. Her friend, Sarah, came over for a few hours and I was able to meet her mom and dad and get to know them. Annie was so excited. She grabbed her sister and watched for Sarah for about 15 minutes. Once Sarah got here, like always, I didn't see much of either one of them! Mia loves to look out the window in the living room and I thought this is a a cute picture to share......

Annie

A few weeks ago, Annie brought me a note from her teacher. She looked a little nervous as I read it; but it was a note telling me that she was getting an award at the monthly awards assembly and that it was a secret...well, at least it was supposed to be. Annie was reading it over my shoulder!! So, the next morning, I went to her school (with my new camera--which I hadn't learned how to use completely). The first award the principal handed out was the Responsible Student Award. She said that the student was a hard worker, always willing to help her classmates, does her homework and classwork in a timely manner, etc, etc... Then she said that this award is given to Annemarie Kallner!!! I was clapping so much that I didn't get a picture until she was already on the stage!! And then of course I made her pose in the front yard, too, with her awards. We're very proud of Annie, she's been working really hard.

After a few other awards, the principal gave out the "Caught Being Good Awards". During the month, teachers and staff members at Annie's school "catch" kids doing something extra helpful, etc...and then give them a yellow slip to put in a big box. At the monthly assembly, the principal draws four names from the yellow slips and those kids get to go to Shakey's with the principal for lunch. And, yep, Annie got picked!! She was so excited and got to go to Shakey's for lunch (as she said) "ON A SCHOOL DAY, MOM!!!"

Yep, that's my responsible student ;-)

Mia's Tricks

These are Mia's new faces--BIG smiles!! And the girls taught her "Touchdown!!" a while ago

Mia and the Recorder

Recently, Mia got a hold of Samantha's recorder and I was able to get a video of it (on our [my] new camera that our family got us for our anniversary--thank you!!). Let me know if it works because I've never blogged a video.....

Mia and her Binkie

Mia hasn't been a binkie baby for quite some time. When she gets her hands on a binkie this is what she does with it....

I love this picture. I (Scott and I...hehehe) got a new camera for our anniversary and Mia and I were playing with it one afternoon. I was trying to get a picture of Mia and I together and I snapped this one.......

We have been trying to get a good picture of Mia for quite some time, since we can't take her to a portrait studio until spring. I've tried sneaking up on her while she's playing (above), letting her get close to the camera and propping her on the chair (not easy now that she is mobile). We'll keep trying.......but these are cute in the meantime.