Not ready for bed

An hour after putting the twins to bed I heard them laughing and walked into this....

Davin was using the changing table to get into Ammon's crib.

I separated them back in to their own cribs and took advantage of their smiling attitudes for a photo opp.

Ammon

Davin

I USED to like Howie Mandel

HOW DID RNG NOT GO ON??!! I am livid.

Camping Adventure

This weekend was time for our annual Fathers Day camp out at uncle Art's. Unfortunately, the camping trip was canceled, so the boys and I decided to go to Preparation Canyon for a two day adventure of our own. The camp site was a one mile hike in, so I was reluctant to bring 3y/o Preston along. Ultimately however, we decided he would be crushed if he did not come along, so Thayne, Raiden, Quinton, Preston and myself headed out 8:00 Friday morning, and returned at 4:00 pm Sunday night. With out going into great detail the adventure went something like this: Arriving around noon to find the hiking trail mostly under water. Not finding a suitable campsite for two miles instead of one. Waking up @ 2am Saturday morning and hiking all five of us back to the car, driving 2 hours home to get Thayne's inhaler and immediately heading right back. Constantly picking ticks off of our extremities despite the unhealthy amount of DEET lathered about our bodies. Receiving 6.5 inches of rain Saturday night and then finding out that our new jumbo family tent is not quite water tight. Hiking back to the car in  more water than hiking in.

And I would not have traded a moment of it for the world! We had so much fun. Preston was born for the out doors. I was very worried when he insisted on bringing a back pack like his brothers, but he made both the hike in and the hike out with out a single complaint. We ate very well and through the amazing generosity of  a few inhabitants of the nearby town of Pisgah we had plenty of dry precut firewood.

NOTE TO MY SIBLINGS:
I have new admiration for our parents. I remember countless camping trips to Payson Lakes all throughout our youth and have nothing but fond memories of such outings. Camping with four small children was enjoyable but grueling. it was doing everything 4 times and being the last to fall asleep and first to wake up. I  can defiantly see myself investing in a tent trailer in the near future!

Like Heavan in a cup

I am not a fan of Rachael Ray and I do not record her daily talk show so that I can watch it after the boys go to bed. I just happened to turn it on one morning and just after the 15 minuet meal segment and right before the snack of the day she had a guest chef. She was this goofy middle aged woman with a store bought personality but her cooking creation.... well I liken it unto the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Are you ready for it..... MUG CAKES!! OK I agree it doesn't sound right but try this and then tell me it is not inspiration!

1 Coffee Mug


4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) mini chips would be the best

Small splash of vanilla


Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate and ice if desired.

Another tip, any instant cake mix will work in the same fashion. I put a Twinkie standing up in the middle of  a spice cake... WOW

(Tessa this is posted with you in mind)

The first REAL action sci-fi movie... Please don't ruin it Fox!

I put up a few similar posts on a couple of other blogs but it can not be said enough.... AVATAR IS AWESOME!! I have been following this movie and its process of live capture animation for a few years now and was not a bit disappointed at the final product. I thought a few really key scenes were cut from the script but with a three hour run time they obviously had some serious deliberation when came down to the final rendering. I have not been drawn in and moved by a movie in such a way for a long time. Enough can not be said for the crew that put this movie together.. beginning and ending with James Cameron. In one interview he said that he has been holding on to this idea and a partially written script for more than 12 years, but was waiting for a time and technology to do his dream justice.

I am absolutely fascinated by live capture animation. It has been around for a few years now. the first movie I saw that I thought was well done with live capture animation was Monster House. And ironically enough the movie that honed the process enough for James Cameron and his team to be able to adapt it for Avatar was one of my pics for the worst movie of all time (Beowulf).

Anywho, Cameron has now confirmed that an Avatar sequel is eminent, and Fox Searchlight has already laid down the payroll. Avatar was so well conceptualized and more than just a movie, it was an enthralling experience that transported you to another time and place for a full 162 minuets demanding that you forget all that is not Jake Sulley, Pandora and the Na'vi. Now, because of the success of the movie (well over $1billion global now), they are, as an after thought, going to try to transform this movie into a franchise. Does any one remember the Matrix? That amazing movie that was ingenious and years ahead of its time. It was written and filmed as a single movie, and then, because of the tremendous success of the movie and greed of the Goof brothers and their studio, they made not one but two PAINFUL sequels. I now fight my gag reflex any time some one mentions "the Matrix Trilogy".

Avatar is a blazing movie because of its innovation, originality and unique plot/story line. It will not have those things going for it a second time, at least not to the same degree. I really hope I eat my words but I think that James Cameron and Fox are on a path towards ruining a great thing.

If you have not seen the movie yet.... WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!??!

I really thought that I completed this post on Christmas day. Apparently I was mistaken. Anyhow... better late than on time (that is kind of the motto we live by).

It began to rain the morning of Christmas eve and continued to do so all day. That night it turned to sleet and later to snow. Needless to say we lost power but the weather also brought two Christmas firsts for our family. First; opening presents Christmas morning to candle light. Second; snow falling while we opened presents.

First we opened presents (minus the twins who we gladly let sleep in).

Then outside to dig ourselves out.

It was a GREAT Christmas. Double great for the boys because they got a generous Christmas from

G-ma/G-pa on Christmas eve as well.

Happy Birthday Thayne

I think it is about time to throw up another post. It was Thayne's B-day yesterday and we just had a small family celebration. Because of scheduling conflicts we planned his party 2 weeks from now. His reaction to his presents led us to believe that he was happy with them and he LOVED his card.

We tried to get a little creative for his B-day card.

We might as well call this cake the Thayne special. A yellow marble cake with double milk chocolate frosting and topped with Reese's mini cups.

Grandma and Grandpa Bennett know the key to his heart.....

and a touching card.....

and some really cool walkies.

Thayne has been asking for a "real" gun since he was 5. We agreed that he can have a BB rifle for his 10th B-day but he was not very happy about that. Recently I discovered the world of Airsoft and their surprisingly realistic replicas of real military grade rifles. As a matter of fact a lot of the Airsoft replicas are manufactured by the same company that makes the real ones.

I think He was happy.

Getting geared up.

Thayne with his new A-4 Tactical Assault Rifle complete with 5x20 scope and laser sight. We removed the action so he cant fire anything but it still makes a pretty awesome toy.