Circle power

We snuck in some family pics while Heather was in town for Thanksgiving to document the power of this growing family circle. I love the girlie shots!

Women power!

We were fortunate to catch the last day of Abby's Caleb belly.



It's been stated before how I love circles, round things, hug circles, polka dots, donuts and round tables that include everybody, and recently ran into this cute article about circles that echos my sentiments. Love it - gotta share:

“Circles,” Ensign, Feb. 1993, 61
When I was a Laurel, I had a wonderful teacher, a young mother who particularly loved to teach us about making homes for our own families in the future and about developing in our homes a special circle of love.
Now that I am married, I am discovering all those circles she taught us about—and some she didn’t. First, there is the circle around your middle that keeps growing and growing till you feel like one big circle—and sometimes that roundness won’t go away easily after the baby is born.
Then there are circles of open mouths crying to be fed, circles in the bottoms of baby bottles, circles around eyes, crayoned circles on the walls. And just when you think you have adjusted fairly well and those circles from dirty dishes and those circles in the bathtub diminish, that circle in the middle starts all over again!
Thank goodness for the other circles that make these circles worthwhile—the circle of family prayer and the circle of priesthood holders giving a blessing. The circle of little arms giving big hugs, and the circles you dance in when your baby takes that first step.
Now I understand why my teacher wanted us to learn about that circle of love. You can’t live in it without becoming well rounded!

Love the circle! xoxo

more baby!

It was a treat to buddy with Tanner during baby time and have him around 24/7. Nothing like waking up to a smiling toddler! We kept busy and this was our banner project to welcome home Mommy and Caleb.

These are out of sequence as everyone is home now, but can't resist posting a few more of the new snuggly, not yet scrubbed up baby pics and moments that melt in your heart.

this is an lds approved temporary tattoo!

Papa is already signing him up for Moto Adventure 2019! (sorry Ab's, looks like he's in!)

Our two newest family members! Meet Brooke and Caleb! xo

The family circle is expanding!

Caleb Daven was born today at 2:15 pm weighing in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and 20.5" long. Todd, Abby and baby are great! Caleb gave us a bit of a scare at first, and in counting the many blessings, we are grateful for his pink color and healthy vitals.

It's been a wonderful day and we are so grateful to feel of the Lord's hand in our lives and His many tender mercies.

(I'll post more tomorrow, this is just a sneak peak for Mimi & Papa Talich! xo)

Hello Blog!

I've been a bad friend lately, and once again, will repent and post! The past few months have been full of the ups and downs of life, but all in all, richly blessed. I'll try to play catch up to bring this journal up-to-date. Hang with me! xo

Company!

We love company! It was so fun to have the Red Bluff Hickson's visit for the week!
Tanner followed Taylor around like a puppy dog and asked for him the second he walked in the door!


The little people were enchanted this big boy would play with them!



He grew up!

It's always hard to say goodby to the good times and wish the miles were fewer!

Thanks for making the journey to our end of the world - love y'all! xoxo

Celebrating FREEDOM!

The 4th of July ...

... brings Heather home ...

... gives Chris a break ...

...allows freedom of expression...

...gathers the family...

...bbq's and banana pudding...

...finding pleasure in Texas sheet cake

...and cupcakes with flags...



...a time to make matching tshirts...

>





...splish splash...



... a good excuse to play with long sparklers ...




... oohs and aahs of spectacular fireworks ...

... leaves a lump in your throat with gratitude to be born in this country, and an increased awareness of our responsibility to be better patriots, embracing the determination and vision of our forefathers.

Girl Trip!

Last year we stormed Chicago on our girl trip, and this year we decided to start knocking off the wonders of the world by going to Niagra Falls. It was a fresh adventure since none of us had been there!


Turned out to be a bit of a fiasco flying in from separate spots, but perfectly arranged on paper. They make "international" to be such a big deal and we only cross the Great Lakes!

Our first view of the Falls from our hotel room made them look wimpy, but up close and personal, they did not disappoint.

under the Falls

feeling the power and hearing the roar of nature

202,00 cubic feet of water falls over the crest line per second! that measures to a staggering amount of rushing water!

had a fun lunch in Niagra by the Lake and enjoyed this cutsy town and fun shopping

Ashley needed a snack even tho it was smashed and melted

nothing deters the girl!


worth our $2 ride!

we were such tourists!

Loved this bridge linking USA to CA!


We walked it and watched the sunset and fireworks from the middle (happy to touch American concrete!)

I also tried to drive across it but turned out to be the wrong bridge, ended up on the US side - no passports and traffic jam through customs. Took a while and got an abrasive customs clerk that did not find the humor in our plight. He asked us to remove our sunglasses, and where are we from, of which none of our answers were consistent. He ran things through his computer (or really was just finishing his solitaire game) and played hard ball with us.

True to Hickson behavior, we keep talking until we say the thing that works the magic. The girls decided ahead of time if they had to serve time, they wanted to be boat drivers for the Maid of the Mist, so I offered their services to the man with the gun. That seemed to crack the code and he let us through.


Every big city trip requires
a visit to China Town (NY is better!)

and a play ...
saw the Sound of Music in Toronto - FABULOUS!

a favorite



In Toronto we found ourselves in the midst of an impromptu shrine in memory of Michael Jackson. It was one of those things you ask yourself, 'is this what I think it is?' and the moment wraps you up in disbelief. These people adorned in capes and white gloves, brought lawn chairs and pictures wanting to sing, dance and listen to his music.

This guy in the leather jacket thinks he's MJ and was living his 10 minutes of fame.


This is the view off the rooftop of our hotel where we hung out in the hot tub and exchanged funny notes about the day - spectacular!


I love these girl trips as I miss my girls around! They make me live and laugh to the point of tears! There's nothing more fun than girl chatter and I love they share theirs with me.


The girls, (actually all of the kids) find it very amusing to expound upon my various foibles, punctuating each other's stories with recollections and bursts of laughter. It makes me chuckle too. (Heather has incredible stories that none of us remember!) Despite the many flaws and imperfections that have not escaped their notice, I am grateful they still love unconditionally.

I miss the golden years when all the kids were under our roof and we moved as a group, but sadly, the end to which we raise them is to be self-sufficient and wonderful, productive people on their own. Backfires a bit, but that's where we are and happy the circle grows bigger and we're all still in it!


Eventually the sun sets, ending another great girl trip for the memory bank.
Thanks for the tears of joy, girls! xoxo

We always have the power!

Haley and I were excited to try to catch a matinee performance of the Wizard of Oz at Fair Park. We didn't have tickets, but left in plenty of time to make it all happen. Surprised to hit obnoxious traffic in Dallas and murmured, "Haley, this is not good for us." The next second, Haley says, "let's say a prayer...Dear Heavenly Father, help us to get out of traffic and get to see The Wizard of Oz, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen ... gramma, we're gonna make it" all in one run on thought!

My eyes welled with tears!

One of the many messages I love from the Wizard of Oz is the reminder of the power we carry from within - IF WE BELIEVE! We control the power to RETURN HOME! My sweet grandaughter knows this at 4 and knows to call on Him to help her navigate the bumps in the road!

Unfortunately, traffic did NOT break and I found myself silently praying to Heavenly Father to PLEASE NOT disappoint this tender testimony of faith and rescue.

About 15 minutes later of halted traffic, Haley said, "gramma, I think we need to say another prayer." I quickly said her's was powerful and Heavenly Father knows our situation, but I'll say one offering our plea for a special date together. When I was done, she said, "now for sure we're gonna make it!"

An example of why the scriptures remind us to be as a little child - great faith, no doubt, no worries ... bow your head, click your heels 3 times, there's no place like home and a loving Heavenly Father!
A special day with Haley Mae, a teacher of faith! xo

Happy Birthday Cash

"birthday - mine - two!"

"candles - blow"

Cash is a boy of few words, but you get the whole story. He speaks in shorthand - no need to expend more words than necessary!
He wasn't nearly as interested in the gifts as he was cake and ice-cream. This is his joy!
Tanner on the other hand was excited with each gift and his eyes show he's making his birthday wish list!

fun Cash facts:

loves and collects rocks - no discrimination

always double-fisted with something - rocks, trucks, food - this includes swimming with something in both hands. A bit tricky, but he makes it work!

frog hunter - he and Haley love to catch the frogs in the catch pool and set them free


lives in the Cash zone - usually doing his own thing separate from what everyone else is into - free thinker

great sleeper - moon coming out means sleep - a mama's dream!

Couldn't imagine life without this sweet boy! xoxo

I hope you dance!

Family members were invited to come watch the last day of ballet class and it was a joy to watch Haley Mae show off her skills.



Like the other Hickson girls, she has the gift of dance!
It warms my heart to see her dance, not only because it brings back great memories, but gives focus and discipline to a graceful art.
She is a beautiful dancer and especially loves the "free expression" time as the whole floor is her canvas! The girl can move!
Of course, if this doesn't work out, she could always model!
She loves a good photo shoot!
Cash was a supportive brother, but enough is enough!

Let's do some boy swings!