Utah Trip Report

It always feels good to get back to mountains! I can't take my eyes out of the window as we fly into the valley and always sad to leave! So, waste no time! First night we wanted to do a little Trek Training and hike the Y. We thought we'd be alone at this venture but with the first signs of spring in Provo, turned out to be a busy night. We enjoyed dinner on top of the Y and watched the sun set ... doesn't get better than this!

Heather, they took down DT - no more towers!

It seemed normal to see Ash again after leaving her a few days earlier in Chicago, but really makes it ache more to not have Heather in Utah w/ us. Crazy how ya'll have to be so grown up now and don't have the flexibility to hop around with me! Good thing we come to you!

Jenica's Wedding Day!

The flowers were spectacular at Temple Square and sure they couldn't be better even if you went to Holland! A beautiful day!
After the sealing, we changed our clothes in the parking lot and walked to Candy's office to get a birds eye view of all the downtown construction.


The reception was beautiful at Sundance and special to share in these moments with the Stimpson's.

So many squeezes ... so little time! xo

happy moms day to the very best.

"Bearth"day Fun!

Heather is so cute about her birthday and canNOT wait to open presents. Chris sent us with this cute gift (wrapped by Haley Mae) that will remain a memory for all of us. Just before we boarded the plane we shoved it in Ash's bag, and then as luck would have it, did NOT fit in the overhead bin. Ash has overhead-bin-anxiety anyway and this has now added to her trauma - pretty convinced she will never carry-on again! (We already surrendered all of our hair products and were determined we were NOT checking!) So after several moments of laughter weakness and an entire plane jeering at us, we took the present out and managed to get the bag in.

So when we met Heather at her gate, we had gift in hand. She began picking at it right away. While checking into the hotel, she successfully got it undone w/o disturbing the adorable wrap. The guy checking us in took note of our birthday excitement and badgering Heather she had no self-control and ended up giving us a great room on the 36th floor. We dropped off bags and hit the bar for some grub.

When we got back in our room, we found a sweet note to enjoy the birthday weekend with a bottle of wine and WONDERFUL squares of chocolate, with a strawberry on top, sprinkled with pistachio nuts and drizzled chocolate on top. They were fabulous but Heather was quite miffed it was her birthday and couldn't eat ANY of it! (Of course not the wine, and she's allergic to strawberries and nuts.) Ash and I were in drooling heaven. Feeling sorry for the birthday girl, we dug out a smashed twix leftover from airplane snacks for her to enjoy. (It's great traveling w/ 2 beautiful girls!)

Grateful for the memories indelibly printed in my mind of the things we didn't get pics of ... soaking feet in the tub ... jersey boys ... art museums ... $22 cold cereal ... flipped out umbrellas ... precious time together ... many giggles and our souvenir blisters! Can't wait to do it again! Happy 25! xo

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