chick trip

thanks to blogger, these are not in the order i intended... but oh well.  

well, we did it.  another chick trip (we missed you dad).  we had a really great time, and a really great birthday weekend.  thanks to mom's impeccable travel agent skills (and the way time zones work...) i had a 25-hour 25th birthday!  

mom was on a quest for the perfect chicago dog... which was difficult given that street vendors were nowhere to be found.  our great tourguides pulled through and we had a chicago dog, poppyseed bun and all!

before boarding our architecture cruise... a quick generation shot (i feel like that is what mom would call this...)

on lake michigan, looking back at the city.  you can tell it was quite the ride as we all have crazy hair... but it was such a nice day, it was just good to be out in the sun (soaking up vitamins, right mom?).

the cubs didnt stay in town for us, but we stopped by just for good measure.  we were the very few within blocks that were not sporting cubs paraphernalia.  

do you smell that?  its white castle.  mom was SO excited.  we all tried one, most of us regretted it shortly after (i dont suggest coupling a white castle with a run through the airport).  ash and i decided it is a scam to pass them off as hamburgers, they are beef stroganoff on a bun.  

the lion at the art institute (well, most of it).  mom was cute because she was so excited to take pictures in front of these lions... ash and i were game, but only because the rain stopped (and we rarely turn down pictures).

i dont know what this is called, but lets just call it the bean.  we saw it, it was cool - very bean-y and mirror-y.  

top of the hancock building... we had a really good time up here.  it was cool to see the whole city, and the lake, and bordering states.  the elevator was really fast too (fastest in the world?)!

window washing stage at the top of the hancock.  we got our money's worth on this one, as did everyone else.  ash and i choose to play in here rather than stand in line.  we should have set out a tip jar. 

another photo-op.  this one was hilarious.  the next picture on this roll of film (flashback to the '90s) is me, crying, because i was laughing so hard.  laughter weakness set in to the point that ash had to take the camera from me to capture this shot.  maybe you had to be there.

(dont worry mom, i am sending you a cd with all my pictures... it will be waiting when you get home from your next trip!)

Another Happy Birthday!

A beautiful day of riding - good food - family - hot tub - and cake. What more could one ask for?! Happy Birthday Steve, Dad, Papa!!!

First Haircut

After three people commented to me what a cute GIRL I had (in one week), I figured it was time to give Tanner a haircut. If smothering him in blue didn't tell people that he was a BOY, then maybe a little trim would do the trick.

A few before pics - he had quite the mohawk!


After pics - he is definately all boy!

A moment in time!

This is the day - 25 years ago! The boys were so eager to share their world with you, show you toys and even give you their stinky ke-ke's. Much love! xo

Happy bday Miss Heather!

I spent hours going thru baby pics and scanning for a few to share, but now they won't upload - argh - so I guess I'll give you the traditional bday poem that comes on those 'significant' years.

Happy Birthday

Heather Jane Pinkers Hickson

For the last 25 years, May Day is just no ordinary day.

It's extra special because it's Heathy Jane's Birth Day!

We were in the boy groove with two already under tow,

Wondering what blessings the Lord would soon show.

It seems like yesterday we went to the hospital for child number three,

Much to our surprise it was a tiny girl who curled her little pinky.

We knew right away this tiny babe was gonna change our days,

Bringing balance to all things and help us live in more girlie ways.

You were always proud to have two big protective brothers by your side,
Willing to tolerate brother antics, boy pranks and all the motocross rides.
Playing school with Ashley was insightful to what a great leader you’d be,
Committed to hard work, creative, focused & fearless to conquer adversity.

Now the years have dissolved and they look to you for counsel and advice,
As your opinions are highly valued, and there’s no thinking twice.
You’ve met life’s challenges head on with strength and grit,
An example for the rest to go forward, never give up and quit.

You came a choice spirit internally governed for good,
Truth, integrity and always doing what you should.
Weathering cloudy days and still manage to faithfully smile,
know He will continue to bless your strong, courageous style.

It’s wasn’t an easy station to occupy being the first baby girl,
But you’ve done it so well, and given us quite a whirl!
Can’t imagine what it would be without our heathy jane,
Certainly dull and oh so very plain!

We mark this milestone with full and humble hearts,
Twenty five wonderful years with our little sweetheart!
So grateful the Lord has blessed our little family,
With you, so unique, special and a true rarity!

Happy Birth Day Heather! xo

(Can't wait for our Chicago Chick Trip!)

Party Time!

It's birthday season and anniversaries! Today was Chris' bday and Todd and Abby's 5th year anniversary - fun to share in the memories! Sorry Chris had to join the timeframe where birthdays get over shadowed by the time of year everything else happens! Heather and Steve have been uptrumped many years by graduations, weddings, trips ... seems something always comes up to steal the show! It was a busy day but happy we could gather for well-wishes, grub and frisbee in the park! Happy, happy birth day! xo

Happy 5 Years

It has been a HAPPY 5 years - and looking back through our past anniversary trips, it has gone by much too quickly.

Wedding Day - Boise ID

1st yr - Zions National Park UT

2nd yr - San Fransisco CA

3rd yr - Cabo San Lucas MEX

4th yr - San Antonio TX

5th yr - Washington DC

I look forward to an eternity of HAPPY years with you babe. Can't wait until we can put a zero behind our 5! I love you!

Sliding Ginger!

Ginger has been watching Roxy and Daisy jump in after the frizbee and has really wanted to play too. She finally jumped in on her own today and even went down the slide a few times! She's still at the splashy stage of swimming, but once she figures out to keep her back end up, she'll be a great swimmer!

Second Tri!

Todd and Chris finished the "Old College Tri" today both improving their time from a month ago by 10 and 12 minutes respectively. Yippee!
They are really pro's now since upgrading from mountain bikes to road bikes! Much better experience (except the seats are skinny are hard)!
It was a beautiful day in Texas making it fun for the rest of us to cheer our athletes on! Todd was #175 and Chris was #352 which allowed us to run from one to the other, earning us cheerleading/photography team medals.

The MC announced Todd crossing the finish line as the most appropriately dressed athlete of the day!



Lanae and Lane were in town for the madness but the boys were completely unaffected and chose to nap.
Proud husband and daddy!

a gratitude moment!

Needed some unwind time tonight and strolled through all of our posts back to blog beginnings and am left with a heavy heart of gratitude for our many blessings. My mind recalls the quote to
"enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

Grateful we are a family that truly does seize the day finding joy in both big and small. Grateful for your individual faces and the contributions each makes to complete the family circle. Grateful for individual perspectives and the light each sheds. Grateful for occassional detours to travel God's beautiful world. Grateful for the memories to see and remind the roses bloom even in the winter. Grateful for weddings and new babies and the rededication they bring to make us even better, for them, for each other. Grateful dreams come true and the sun does shine in Texas, Utah and DC! Grateful we are family! xo