Playing Catch Up

Blogs can be the best when you stay on top of it, and the worst when you get behind! I've got six weeks to catch up on, so here we go! xo

Happy Birthday Heathy Jane Pinkers

A mother NEVER forgets the birth day of her child! This was a particularly fun day because we expected to have a 3rd boy, and what a surprise! We had prepared ourselves life would be just fine if we had all boys (a defense mechanism), but you don't know, what you don't know!

Our world changed May 1, 1983 as we watched you curl your dainty pinky finger within minutes, and immediately knew girls ARE different than boys! You gave us quite the shakedown and tirelessly worked to carve the feminine path in our very boy dominate household. It has never been a dull moment!

This picture is a favorite and expresses the joy we felt at your birth. The boys were so eager to embrace and share their life with you and are giving you the low-down on our family. This has remained true through the years as they've continued to wrap protective brother arms around you and willing to run blocker if needed.


Fun Heather facts (in random order): shopping queen and lucky charm for bargains * confident unique Heather style * brave * science & spelling bee nerd and insatiable book reader * fashion designer * random sense of humor that doesn't disappoint * thoughtful gift giver (and always on time) * apple genius * faces adversity with grace * likes strawberries and snickers * learning tennis so she can wear a cute tennis skirt * always wanted a pony * makes her momma proud!

My delivery due date was Mother's Day of that year. You were early, but a fitting day to remind my biggest joy in life is to be a mother and it wouldn't be possible without you, Andy, Todd and Ashley! (dad is in that equation too!)


We are so grateful for our family and can't imagine a life without Heather Jane!
Happy Birthday and much love your way! xo

Birthday Season!

Heather came home Thursday night for her birthday, and it turned out to be a weekend full of celebrations! Chris turned the big 3-0 (sorry no pics of this) on Thursday, it was also Todd and Abby's 6th anniversary, Heather's bday was Friday, and Steve on Sunday. That, and we blessed baby Gavin on Sunday in the middle of it all! Whew!
The peanut gallery curious if she can blow out all those candles in one puff (which she did!)
Heather's cake is Grasshopper Pie [Blue Bell, of course!] and Steve requested homemade German Chocolate Cake

It takes a team to light 58 candles! Steve has ALWAYS blown out all his candles with one puff, but Todd added an extra challenge this year ~ note 4 candles N-S-E-W on the side! Can he do it?

Awww ... the side challenge took him out!

Happy Birthday to Heather, Steve and Chris and Happy Anniversary Todd and Abby! Big weekend! Thanks Heather for coming home to play! I feel the need to apologize for the insanity as I always think it will settle down, but maybe this is our new norm!

There is no education like adversity!

If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
~Thomas Edison~

Quackin up!

The circle of love!

When our family was sealed in the temple apx ten years ago, we lingered together in the sealing room, huddled in a circle. We felt the power of being eternally sealed and did not want to break our circle, knowing our family would soon be branching off in different directions with boys on missions, college and all things that scatter a growing family. We stayed linked together and committed no matter the miles between us, the power of the family circle seal, will fortify us as we face individual challenges with an eternal perspective and together we can conquer all!

I love circles, hugs, polka dots and round dinner tables that include everyone! Now the circle had power and significance in a new way to our family, and through the years, it's been a cliche, "feel the power of the circle" slogan that offers a nitro burst of energy. It sustains and comforts during the stretching times of our lives.

So it's particularly touching when we gather as a family and encircle arms of love to bless a new baby or offer a blessing of health. This weekend we were blessed to gather in gratitude that our family circle has grown to include new baby Gavin, and witness his first blessing.

The power of the circle! xo

Moving on!

Like many others, a diploma means packing up and moving out of Provo!

That's their apartment on the top floor and now their lives stored in that truck!

Yep, 3 flights of stairs makes a for a great workout!

Ash and Bobby drove to Philly for the summer and Todd and I drove the Penske to Texas where they will reside in the Fall!

Hearts comin back home! xo

a happy day!

Jumpin for joy!

A memorable time to rally as a family in celebration of a sweet victory!
Happy to have both Grandmas to hug!
We are proud all four of you are finishers and college grads! yippee!




You have brains in your head,
you have feet in your shoes,
you can steer yourself
in any direction you choose!
~Dr. Seuss~

BYU Commencement with Uchtdorf & Nelson

Heather and I enjoyed running ahead of the 6100 graduates to capture pictures of the famous walk to the Marriott Center.
President Uchtdorf walked up on one side and Nelson on the other, married in the middle, proceeded through the tunnel and sat for all the graduates to pass by.



Cell phones are great because we could give the girls a heads up to look for us on the bridge as they passed through.

They were so excited President Ucktdorf gave them a special wave and wink!




Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life. ~Brigham Young~

... and life is great! xo

No more school!

This is it! Finishing strong and studying for the LAST final of Ashley's college experience!



So what do Hickson's do?
CELEBRATE of course!

Crazy to still have so much snow in April, but we sure enjoyed having the mountain to ourselves - the rest of Utah was tired of it!


Cash was not so sure about the heavy helmet and snow gear for a Texas boy, but loved the snack breaks!

A little glitch!

This is why we ALWAYS begin the day with prayer, as we were all grateful Andy walked away from this without any broken bones or scars! These rocketships sometimes had a mind of their own despite your intentions.


Cash and daddy happy to snuggle safely in the hotel!