Good examples

We've made a resolution to read the Book of Mormon together as a family this year. It's the first time we've really attempted it with our kids. I expected it to be a fight every night with only a few verses read while tantrums are thrown and minimal understanding on the kids part. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the example my kids set for me and Kevin. Kassidy has been really good at reminding me every night that we need to read before bed.

After tucking the kids in at night Kassidy likes to read by flashlight for a few minutes in bed. And of course, Korbin has to copy everything his sister does. I come in after about 10 minutes and turn off their lights so they can sleep. I came in to do that one night and found this (I promise this wasn't staged)...

Kassidy had picked out the Book of Mormon to look at for her story and grabbed Korbin one too. These too melt my heart and are such good examples of what is important, even if they can't really read the book yet :)

Playing catch up

I have fallen drastically behind on my blogging and have just decided to forget Christmas. It was great, but I don't really want to go back and uploads all the pictures and posts. So moving on, here's what we've been up to last month....

The weather has been beautiful, so we spent a Saturday afternoon on a hike up the Mare Island Shoreline Preserve with some friends. It's a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay area, and we made it up right around sundown.

Kevin got his braces off after a mere 9 months (lucky duck). This picture shows how handsome he looks with his new shiny smile!

We've been relishing the temperate winter weather and spending many a day at the park with friends.

I celebrate my 26th birthday and was spoiled by my sweet visiting teachers and Kevin spoiled me with a Kindle cover and protective cover.

Next, to catch up what we've been doing in February.

Sweet Grandma Wright

This morning we received the news that Kevin's last remaining grandparent had passed away. Jean Wright, Kevin's mom's mother, was the sweetest lady and will be greatly missed by all her posterity and friends. We went to visit Grandma Wright while we were home for Christmas, which ended up being the last time we saw her. We're sure glad we stopped for a visit, even if she didn't fully recognize us or remember our visit.

Grandma has been without her sweet spouse for 10 years so she was more than ready to go home to heaven to be reunited with him again. We are sure she's happilyy with Grandpa Wright right now.

Where did December go?

Is 2011 really gone already? And I didn't even do a single blog post in December. Hmmmph. Well, it was a pretty crazy month. We had Kevin's last semester of class work, finals, a ward Christmas party to be in charge of, California Christmas, followed by 3 wonderful Utah Christmases. I think I'll still go back and update the photos and stories soon, since this is my personal journal and I'll want to be able and look back some day and remember.

Until then, here's a sneak peek for anyone who still reads. We did a family photo shoot with my dad's side of the family on Christmas eve. My step-mom is a huge Ute fan, so naturally we did Utes vs. BYU themed pictures. It was fun and funny and the photos turned out great thanks to my aunt Cecily at mychaosmybliss who takes fabulous photos! Although I'm still convinced one day these will end up in one of those Awkward Family Photos calenders :) More to come soon!

The hair Kevin secretly longs for!

Yeah, we're not normal... funny thing is that none of actually attended BYU or the U. Go figure?

Korbin cutie

This little guy knows just how to push my buttons and simultaneously melt my heart! He makes me laugh so much and brings such joy to our family. We love having Korbin in our lives! Lately he's been so busy climbing in and on and over EVERYTHING! I have to keep a close eye on him. It's funny to watch where he likes to hide and play. He likes tiny corners and little spaces. I think a new one this month will be hiding underneath the Christmas tree. We love you Korbin!

Kevin was hiding mandarin oranges on and around Korbin and he thought it was so funny!

Thankful

My family has all gone home. The apartment is vacuumed and clean once more. Leftovers are stocking the fridge. The Christmas tree and decorations are up. The kids are sleeping soundly in the other room. I feel so content and blessed tonight! We just spent a wonderful few days with my side of the family who came out to visit for Thanksgiving. We had a jam packed few days full of adventure, good food, and even better company. Best part was when my mom said this was her favorite Thanksgiving EVER! We had a good time to say the least. Here are the highlights:

First stop, The Jelly Belly Factory. We've been here way too many times, but it's a must when family comes to visit.

Me and cousin Sara with our Jelly Belly boyfriend.

We woke up Thanksgiving morning to wild turkeys outside our apartment. Kassidy asked if we shot one of those turkey's to eat.

Thanksgiving dinner was at my aunt and uncle's home. We had a big group and wonderful food! This was a first for the Hicken family to have Thanksgiving in California and mostly be together. These are my beautiful ginger cousins :)

Aunt Jennette can cook up a storm!

Cousins Sara and Justin

The Hicken clan. Everyone but Clark and Kelly's family and my brother and wife were here.

Next came a little turkey induced nap time.

The next day we broke off into groups and went wherever the wind took us. Our breeze took us to the city and sight seeing. We stopped at the Marin headlands overlook of the bridge, then went to Fort Point, had a picnic, and ended with a drive down Lombard street.

Kassidy loves to take over the camera and many of the pictures I posted were taken by her!

From Kassidy' viewpoint

On top of Fort Point. Amazing view of the bridge and bay!

Me and sweet mama!

We had a fabulous week and wish it could've lasted longer.

Happy Halloween

We had a wonderful Halloween in California! The weather was warm, almost too warm--about 76 while trick-or-treating and in the 80's during the day. It didn't feel very fallish, but at least we didn't have to wear coats while trick-or-treating. We had an eventful day full of too much candy, lots of walking and finished with even more candy. The kids had a good time, and we exhausted ourselves because we were all in bed early. I already posted these on facebook so these are pretty much for my grandparents to see. Happy Halloween!

Sweet Dorothy

Scarecrow

The whole group (minus a lion) at the ward trunk-or-treat. All the costumes were homemade which made it even more fun! Although the face paints scared our sweet Korbin :)