Happy holidays from snowy Rexburg

We definitely had a white Christmas here in Rexburg. Between the night of December 23 (when we arrived) and yesterday morning, it snowed over 7 inches. We used a very scientific method to calculate that figure -- we measured how deep the snow was on the rail of our deck (below).


We had a really nice time, and we're looking forward to seeing you all in Utah tomorrow to finish out our holiday celebration.

Looking back . . .

I can't believe it is almost Christmas! What's even weirder, is that George was only 3 months old last Christmas, and now he is so grown up. I can't wait to have all of the grand kids together! George and Graham will be soon partners in crime! We are so excited to have the whole family together!

Thank you one and all!!

Just wanted to comment to each of you on how much I appreciate your posts! I really enjoy reading them and going to each of your blogs and seeing what is going on with you. I hope we can keep this going.

Americas Next Top Model

Check Lucy out.......this is her new favorite pose.

Thanksgiving with the Virginia branch of the Hickmans

Bryan and I really enjoyed our first Thanksgiving together. It was great having Beth and Jason here. We ate a lot, took naps, and even managed some sight-seeing. We also played a lot of the game "Scene It." It's movie trivia, so I'm sure you can guess why it's Bryan's favorite game.

I was pretty proud of the place settings -- watch out, Martha Stewart!


We took Beth and Jason to Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate. This is the view of the Potomac out his back door.

Santa is Watching!

We had a little package delivered to our house on Saturday night. Lucy and Graham got a gift from Santa and his elves! (We love Grandma and Grandpa!). The elves rang the doorbell and ran (Jason is quite the sprinter). Lucy was so excited to find the Polar Express DVD and the big bell. She was beaming from ear to ear when we read the note to her from Santa and the elves. She called and told her cousins, Abby and Oliver, about her surprise. She was so happy to find out that they had gotten a similar package. The next day she told a few of her friends at church that "Santa is watching everyone!" On the way home from church she asked Jason, "Did the 'A''s give some to Abby and the 'O's to Oliver?" She's a little confused about the elves being elves and not 'L's (as in Lucy). So funny!

Whenever we're in the car we've been listening to Soft rock 98.9, because they're playing only Christmas music from here on out. Lucy came walking into my room singing the stations little jingle, "Sofrod....98.9!" I had to try not to laugh because I wanted her to keep doing it.

This is Graham in his brand new coat. I couldn't stop laughing as I watched him walk around. So flippin' cute! It's been a freezing 59 degrees here in Lemoore (that's cold for us....I know, we're wimps). We felt like the guy needed some gear. Especially because we're heading to Utah in 16 days! Whoopeee!

Married with a kid...and proud of it!!

The other day was especially annoying in my sociology class. The topic was on marriage and families and pretty much every word that came out of the professors mouth was negative and anti-marriage. It was really annoying, she always talks about how people in Utah are stupid because they get married to young, to poor, and too dumb. So much of what she was saying that day was basically a direct attack on every decision I have made in the last few years. I realize that I was very young to get married, and VERY young to start having kids, but you know what...I'M STILL HAPPY I DID IT! And just because 50% of marriages end in divorce doesn't mean that nobody should get married, or that it doesn't work out for some of us! She was bugging me, I almost raised my hand and said something, but I was too chicken.

So I just wanted to let everyone who might read this know... I got married young, I had a kid within the first year, I'm poor, and I'm really happy!

Happy Birthday, Beth!!!

It is Beth's 22nd birthday today. She and Jason are coming home from DC after a visit with Bryan and Chelsey. We are having her birthday dinner this afternoon.

It is hard to believe that almost a year has gone by since we were planning her wedding last year!! Our house has been very quiet since Beth left. I always had someone to visit with, and get opinions about my hair, dress, etc when she was here.

Beth has been a great youngest child in our family. She is bright and witty and thoughtful. You would think she is pretty outgoing, but she is really very shy.

I miss Beth, but I am so happy she has found a great guy!

Beth is very busy. If anyone tries to tell you that Elementary Ed is an easy major, don't believe them. Beth has hours of homework and paper writing everyday!!

We are proud of Beth and all her good work. Have a great day today!!

Blaine's Birthday!

It was a success! We managed to surprise Blaine a little with a friend party! Here we all are (Kip was taking the picture!) Matt and Nancy - Thanks for raising such a wonderful son! I sure do love the guy!

Holiday Season Starts!

Today is Blaine's 24th birthday. I personally can't believe that he is that old. It doesn't seem that long ago that he was born. He has been a blessing in our family, and we love him very much. He works full time, is a full time student, and has a great family!! What accomplishments!

With Blaine's birthday, it is the start of our holiday season here. In 10 days Beth will be 22 and married almost a year! This year Thanksgiving is before Beth's B-day, and then on to Christmas!! I watched The Polar Express with Heidi's kids last night. It is worth watching again if you have seen it. If you haven't seen it, watch it this season.

We are looking forward to seeing Chelsey and Bryan again during the holidays. It is great to have the Rays and the Hickmans come home to see the rest of us. We are very happy!!!!!

Well, Happy Birthday Blaine. I love you very much!

So Easy a Caveman Can Do It!!! .. (Beat Layton!?....Never Mind!)

Layton only brought their B game to Rice Eccles but that proved to be enough to send the Stone Agers back to their Timpanogas Dwellings. Layton 28, American Fork 14.

The Triathletes have finished and Survived

We are very proud of our triathletes who finished the course at Treasure Island in San Francisco. As you can see they have a fan base of at least two. As for Nancy and I, we arrived 40 years too late to enjoy the flower power.

All for Layton Stand up and Lean!!!!!!

The hapless Eagles came to town yesterday and got their tail feathers handed to them. Layton 49 Skyline 0. Next week we move on to the semifinals at Rice Eccles Stadium.

The Thompsons Come to Town!

The Thompson gang (minus Ryan....we'll catch you next time) came to visit this weekend. They left earlier this afternoon. Lucy and I are in a state of depression. We had sooo much fun! We went to the beach, saw the giant Sequoias, played some ultimate hopscotch, and ate way too many treats! Good times! Here's a video Heidi took on our way home from the beach.

This is Halloween . . .

For those of you who were at George's Birthday Party, you might recognize this funny Halloween binkie that one of our friends gave to George. He doesn't really like to suck on it - he prefers the green hospital pacifiers - but today he was just walking around with it in his mouth. Happy Halloween!

The Christensen's Dropped By

Aunt Annette is staying with Grandpa this weekend. Justin and Jessica came by with Daffne and Naomi. Grandpa and Annette are now in Wyoming visiting Stu......Check out the pix of Daffne and Naomi.

The Big Apple

Last weekend, Bryan and I took a trip to New York City. I have been there a few times, but Bryan had never been, and with all the craziness in our lives lately, we decided we needed a little vacation. So Bryan planned this little weekend for us. It's only about a 4-hour drive, as long as there is no traffic. We had a great time, and Bryan wants to go back often. Here are some pics of our adventures.


At the Shubert Theater, where we saw the musical Spamalot, which is based on Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail. It was really funny.

Bryan at Times Square.

On the 84th floor observation deck at the Empire State Building. It was chilly, but an amazing view.

On Liberty Island, at the Statue of Liberty.
Self-portrait on the ferry that took us to the Statue of Liberty.

Happenin' Hayride

Here's some pics from a hayride the kids and I went on last week. A bunch of moms from the ward got together for it. Lucy was disappointed that a tractor was pulling us instead of a horse. Graham sat quietly on my lap for most of the ride........it was amazing! He just kept looking around at everything.

Abbie's Birthday

Just had a big party last night at Abby's House. What a time we had! Get a load of her Birthday Cake. After the family party we were invaded by the local neighborhood kids. The Hanna Montana Wig was to die for.

It's hard to believe that she is 7 years old! Pretty fun time!

Our New Banner

Since you have all been asking yourselves who the family is that I have featured in the Title Banner, I will give you a clue: Blaine is named after one of them.

Pretty clever

Hey!

Take a listen to the new Brad Paisley song on my playlist. It is pretty clever, even though a sad commentary on chatting on line!

Keep me in Mind

After 8.5 hours at work, my feet are dead. I can't seem to get over the surgery I had this Summer. My doctor says it will take awhile, as I am on my foot for so long at a time. Life here is pretty dull for Dad....I go to work, come home and baby my feet all night. Good times.

Remember me in your prayers. I am getting discouraged, and need all the blessings I can get!!!

Abby's 7th birthday is Wednesday. She is getting tall and is learning to read. Where did the time go. That is why I put the "blink" song on the list.

Take care. I love you all. Oh, and a shout out to Chels. She started her new job today. Hope everything went all right!

Those Darn Chinese!!

This is a picture that was taken about 15 years ago. Blaine was the victim of a Chinese Company that mixed up the specifications between playground and salad making equipment. That day still gives me nightmares!
( You can imagine how it affected Blaine!! He won't even talk about it with anyone.)

Swinging George!

Finally! Lindsay can Post! George rediscovered his swing today, and loves it! He is such a funny kid. Here are some pictures of George in the swing. He is a little too big for it, but now we don't even have to go to the park to have a blast!

Disappointment

This Summer I went to a Gordon Lightfoot concert at the Layton amphitheatre. Yes, I know pretty lame that Gordo has sunk to small arenas, but I digress. I was excited, because I love Gordon Lightfoot's music. When I hear it, I am young and carefree. Well, the concert was a disappointment. He was so frail and weak that he didn't even sing the songs all the way through. He did some hard living, and it shows!!! I am now content to listen to his music, and have no desire to see my old favorites in person!

I have one of my favorites on my new play list Take a listen. It is a fun song!

Are These People Your Kin?

I wuz a lookin' at da fambly fotos and fetched dis picher.

Be they any kin of your'n?

(To fully appreciate it click the picture to enlarge)

Finally part of the family

I guess it's official -- I really am part of the family, now that I've been invited to contribute to the Hickman family blog (thanks, Matt). I don't have anything exciting to say, and I'm on Bryan's computer so I don't have any photos to post, but stay tuned...

Maggie is always bugging me for not posting on the blog and I tell her it is because I don't have any pictures and I don't want to just post without a picture. Well this week we had to get our picture taken in this uniform to put in our personal record. So I thought I would put it on. This is not the uniform that I wear on a daily basis. Some people do but since I go to a lot of construction sites I wear the camouflage uniform that does not get dirty as easily.

My Night Out on the Town

Here's some pictures from my night out on the town with my friends. I was the designated driver for the evening (a new experience for me). We went to dinner and then to a sports bar. After that we headed over to Mr. Bill's to do some serious karaoke (spelling?). I rocked the house with some "I Will Survive" and "Dancing Queen". There was a little bit of drama involved with the evening, but all in all it was a lot of fun.

Soccer Time!!

Look out sportfans!!!! Some new stars have just laced up their cleats forever changing soccer as we know it!!!

Lucy's Birthday

For those of you who missed it (and those of you who were there) Lucy had a Birthday last month. Check out her adoring fans!!

Startin' early....

Graham's new favorite thing is his toothbrush. He'll crawl all over the house with it....dragging it all over the floor and then sticking it back in his mouth. Awesome. He freaks out big time if you take it away.

The Technicolor Dream Coat

Those Canaan Days! Where have they gone? Where did they Go?

We finished the play last week. It was fun but I'm glad it's over.

Check out Jacob and his three Wives. (Eat your heart out Grandpa!)