Callie and her new friend London

We have some friends, Tim and Jen Jacobson, that live near San Francisco and they decided to come down and stay for a few days. It was so fun. We only captured a few pictures of the girls. While they were here we went sleding just a few minutes from our house. We didn't get any picutes because it was raining while we sleded. We were soaked when we got home. Callie and London played very well together. Preston on the other hand kept pushing London's sister, Eden. I felt so bad. Hopefully he grows out of this stage.

My little cutie pie!

The kids were playing on the stairs and so I took some pictures.

They love each other! So Sweet!

This is Callie and Preston before we went to Chuck E cheese a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was such a cute picture. They really do love and care for each other. Preston is always so excited to see Callie when they wake up in the morning.

Playing together!

I am really bad about posting. These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago. Callie is pushing Preston in a baby doll stroller.

Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed dressing!

This salad is my favorite. I know a few girls in my ward wanted it. Sorry I don't have a picture. I made it last night for a lady in my ward whose husband passed away and I forgot to get a picture. I hope she liked the salad too.

Spinach Salad
1/2 bunch fresh spinach
1/2 head romaine lettuce
1/4 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
sugared almonds
1/4 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 red onion chopped fine or in rings
Mix lettuce together and refrigerate until serving. Don't add other ingredients until right before or it will get soggy. You can also do a buffet style salad so you can have some left over the next day.

Poppy seed dressing
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon pureed onion (0ptional)
1/2 tablespoon Prepared mustard(in fridge)
Mix all ingredients together (except oil) until sugar is completely dissolved. While beating on high speed drop 2-3 drops of oil into mixture. Gradually add remaining oil in a thin stream to complete emulsifcation.

Sugared almonds (I usually double the almonds).
¼ cup sliced almonds
1 ½ tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
Blend sugar and melted butter well. Coat almonds and spread them on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. When lightly browned remove from oven. Loosen nuts with a metal spatula and let them cool completely.

Black Bottom Cupcakes!

I made these cupcakes at our Enrichment and a few people wanted the recipe.

Black Bottom Cupcakes
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 cups water
2/3 cups oil
2 tsp. vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients and pour wet into dry ingredients. Fill each muffin tin 1/3 cull with cake batter. Put 1 tablespoon filling on top. Then cover and with more cake batter. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Filling
1-8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Beat first 4 ingredients together, then add chocolate chips.

Trying to get back into the US! Scary!!

Our friends Ken and kami, who came with us, told us that all we needed to get into Mexico was our drivers licence. Lo and behold when we got in line to get back in the US we got the wrong person. Ken and Kami and Chase went right on through. We gave the guard our licence and he said, "You need a passport". I was like WHAAT! I was completely freaking out. He gave us this hugge long lecture. I think he saw the look on my face and how panicked I looked. He asked us where we lived and if it was our first time to Tijuana. He did finally let us through but I will never return again with or without a passport.

Walking around and doing some shopping. You can get some good deals in Mexico, especially if one of your friends speaks spanish. That really helps.

Our trip to Tijuiana Mexico!

On a whim we decided to head to Mexico and do some shopping. We walked around for like 3 hours. People would say come into our store, come eat at our restraunt. I am so greatful to live in the United States Of America. There were so many small children on the streets with no parents, asking for money or selling small things for money. It was really sad. We did give some money to a few of the kids and the other children saw and followed us for a half a mile.

Such a girl!

We told Callie to pose for the camera and this is what she did. She said this is what her cousin Madelyn does. I thought it was pretty cute.

Coronado Island

Our friends Ken and Kami came to San Diego too and this is their veiw from their hotel. They stayed on Coronado island.

The whole gang!

All of us at the zoo.

Could you sit a little closer to us?

Callie loved the Zoo!

Callie and Preston in front of the turtles. We stayed at the zoo all day long. It rained a misty rain off and on all day. Some really good friends of ours came to the zoo and Taylor's brother as well. We had a great time. The zoo had a tram you could ride back and forth on and a bus tour took us around the park to see the animals. I always heard San Diego Zoo was always one of the best zoo's but I have to admit that Fort Worth Zoo might be just as good or better.

Our Trip to San Diego and the Zoo!

Taylor's parents flew into San Diego and we drove down to meet them. We stayed in a hotel that Taylor had points for. The first night we stayed the receptionist said they had a crib for Preston. When we got there they couldn't find it. They gave us two free nights and then 5,000 points all for not having a crib. Sweet!

Callie's first day in Primary!

Callie went to Sunbeams and absolutely loved it. She loved singing time and she got to hold a sign. She even said the closing prayer into the microphone. I was very impressed. She is a social butterfly.

preston loves dogs!

While in Oxnard, our friends have a dog named Aggie. Preston loved her. He couldn't leave her alone.

the Harbor!

Visiting Oxnard, California

On Saturday we decided to go to Onxard which is a 2 1/2 hour drive. We lived there in 2003 for the summer when Taylor did an internship for Smuckers. We went and visited some friends, the Springers. It was fun. We did lunch and then walked around the harbor. Their house is on an island. It is so beautiful. I am jealous.