Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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

Monday, August 24, 2009

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.

Monday, August 10, 2009

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

Thursday, July 30, 2009

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!

TOADally unFROGettable

We have these two, sometimes three, smart toads that come out with the moon and hang out by the stair light to catch dinner. They are so smart, albeit lazy, as they just patiently sit there and wait. The light baits the bugs, and their tongues just snatch them up without moving a muscle! They don't seem to mind us or Roxy, and shocking Roxy leaves them alone as she is quite the critter hunter.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Thanks Diane for sending pics of the party! Just added more bday pics to the below post! Shocking, but I didn't have my camera at Chris' party! Shame on me! xo

What?!@#! 30?

I'm sure this hit me harder than the kids, but Andy and Chris turned 30 this year!
It's great they are 30, but I can't believe I'm a mom of a 30 year old! Blows my mind!

Steve and I can't take this kind of reality check because we think we are 30!
We even think our children's friends are our friends!

When we put the memories behind the years, they are there, but truly, it's a blink!

Years ago when they were all young, I remember wondering what they will be like as adults. Happy to see the four have each retained the things we loved about them as little people, and added their individual splash and flair, embellishing them with great qualities to be strong, noble adults! That is success!
Some Andy facts:

ALWAYS busy with something - no down time!

McGuyver! Can fix anything

Motto is "if it works, take it apart and find out why"

collector of tools, gadgets, boat, airplanes (big and small)

chose Chris, who compliments him well (and we love!)

a great provider for his family
and enlarged ours to include Chris, Haley, Cash and Gavin!


Fun facts about Chris:

Shows obvious intelligence and good taste to have married Andy

Likes his family too! (that's us)

a loyal friend

excellent mother with patience of Job


loves surprises, but can't keep a secret (which is adorable)

challenges herself to run a marathon and opts for natural childbirth

Takes great care of, and a perfect companion for Andy


and of course, gave us 3 beautiful grandchildren!

Happy Birthday Andy and Chris - we love you to pieces!!!
Many more celebrations ahead as we grow old together! xoxo

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Regrets!

I did it again! The worst of blogging - getting behind! Here goes catching up on the last 2 months! xoxo