Jelly Belly Fun

Anika had Monday off of school this week so Daddy re-arranged his schedule so we could have a family day! We enjoyed a day trip to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield. What fun! The day started with going out to breakfast -- you can't beat choco chip pancakes or strawberry-almond waffles. Then we drove to the mecca of Jelly Bellies. The factory tour is free and we were able to enjoy some great samples -- we are now fans of Mixed Berry Smoothie and 7-Up. Then we browsed through the store with its mind boggling array of flavors. We had fun purchasing some "belly flops" (irregular beans) for Anika to take for show & tell this week. After this sugar high, we walked off some energy at the Vacaville Factory Outlets getting new shoes for these fast growing kiddos. What a great day!

The jelly bean loving president made of jelly bellies. (Then Gov. Reagan got started on his jelly bean addiction while trying to break himself from his pipe tobacco addiction. Jelly Bellies made some astronomical sum of beans to send to his inaugration.)

Attired in our "lovely" paper hats for the tour. (There were no cameras allowed on the tour.):

One Drawer Higher

Kathryn has reached a new milestone. She can reach into Mom's make-up drawer. Here is her first attempt at mascara. (I think she had the general idea that it is supposed to go somewhere around your eye -- she just lacks the fine motor skills to get it done:-))

Mmmmmmmmm

Cool & rainy = homemade french bread & soup:

P.S. Mom, this is what they were supposed to look like. (I'll never understand why the only time I've messed up is when you were over.)

A Week of Fun

Grandma & Grandpa Boeck arrived last week for a visit. We had a great time! We bookend-ed their time with us with an adventure in San Fran and some time at Family Funworks (mini-golf) and a bike ride, and the rest of the time we relaxed at home and had fun watching the Olympics, reading books, enjoying chocolate malts, playing cards and avoiding the rain (we had a few moments of sun).

An overcast & cool day in San Fran: Alcatraz Island:

Walking part of the way on the windy & loud Golden Gate Bridge:

We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then walked Pier 39 and the Embarcadero, had some ice cream, toured a WWII submarine, jumped on a Cable car for a short ride (it was interrupted when the line had to stop for a downtown fire.)

Anika loved practicing her reading with Grandpa and Grandma:

Grandpa makes the best chocolate malts & shakes (yummy!):

Just hangin':

First Time Sledding

Let It Snow!

Wow! What a wonderful day! Anika had a day off of school yesterday so we borrowed some snow pants, boots and sleds (thanks, Jen!) and headed up to the mountains. We had so much fun. It took about 2 hours to get to Strawberry where we could just pull off to the side of the road and find a hill to sled down. It was a gorgeous 40+ degrees and we all got exhausted hauling ourselves and our sleds up the hill! Surprisingly, Anika & Kat were the daredevils on the sled while Drew preferred to throw snowballs. (Well, throwing the snowballs wasn't surprising but not being fond of sledding was!)

Suited up and ready to go:

All done and warming up:

The fearless return:

Hot Chocolate:

A few at the snow (captured from my Flip video):

Bullfrog & Butterflies

Here is a preview of the upcoming spring recital for Anika's class.

Anika can READ

Another fun first for the Wickers. Anika came home with an earlier reader book and much to her surprise (and Mom's) she read it all the way through. It is so fun to see her go through this process. And, of course, our little mimic Kathryn couldn't be outdone. She had to sit next to Anika for "reading time". (And she had to pose like her, too.)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!