Random Thoughts

• How is it that I "BRIEFLY" chose to ignore laundry and now I have 14 loads.


• It is crazy to ride in the car and listen to my son talk about High School football. How did I get so old?


• Even though it has been several weeks it still seems odd to me to see Megan in the drivers seat.


• I'm looking forward to seeing Mollie wakeboard again. It is truly one of her current passions and fun to watch.


• Why on earth would I mention to my husband that it would be better to spend the money on a new vacuum. Sometime practicality stinks.


• It will be sad when the carrotts from the garden are gone. Straight from the garden, steamed carrotts is one of my favorites.


• Why has the same church song been stuck in my head all day?


• It is amazing to me that I can receive so much joy from my children every day even though they drive me crazy most days.


• I am so grateful for good friends who will call and take me to lunch.


• I am not looking forward to returning to work.


• And my final thought for today: in trying to save money we opted not to buy bedding plants for the yard. Instead Mike bought two envelopes of flower seeds for less then $3. I am enjoying them very much, it is an 8 foot stretch of color and beauty.

Dedication of HICKMAN PARK

Yesterday we had a very neat experience. Mike's Dad, Dr. Robert Hickman, had a park officially named after him in Edmonds. A little bit ago we learned that his name had been nominated and then we found out last week that it had been voted in by the Edmonds City Council. It is wonderful to see him receive this recognition in honor of all the amazing things he has done in the field of medicine over the years. It was a real tribute to Bob and Lucy for all of their time, service, and contributions to others. Congratulations!

The site used to be an old elementary school which some of the Hickman children attended. During construction they dug up a time capsule that had been planted by the students in 1963.












A Few of the displays at the dedication ceremony.

Sam trying out the basketball court which was built in honor of a young man named Tyler who lost his battle with cancer at age 11.

The park has a really great play area that is officially named the "J.P. Patches Play Area" J.P. Patches is also an Edmonds local.

Megan taking a turn in the play area. All of the kids loved spinning in this cylinder. Obviously fun for kids of all ages.

Mollie is relaxing for a minute in the jungle gym after climbing all over.

A large crowd turned out for the dedication. Friends and family of the Hickmans as well as Tyler's family and JP Patches family and many local residents.

A wonderful acceptance speech.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Megan with Grandpa and JP Patches.

The Hickman group that was in attendance.

A few of the grandkids breaking in the park.

As you can see it is very beautiful.

The park has a great climbing tree.

Megan reading the official statement about her Granpa and Grandma and all the great reasons why the park was named after them.

HALLELUJAH for cooler temperatures

After surviving last weeks heat wave I must admit that I was thrilled last night to have to sleep with a blanket and ecstatic this morning when I woke up and my house felt a little chilly. Now that the heat wave has passed and my house has cooled down I guess it is time to get to work on those cleaning projects around the house that were easy to put off because of the heat.

I didn't love the heat but I am loving all of the sunshine. What a treat. Mollie and I have stayed cool with the sprinkler, the lake, and going to air conditioned places. Megan and Sam had a harder time dealing with the heat at EFY but still had a great time. They were glad to get home and get into their swimming suits. Hope everyone is enjoying such a beautiful summer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

On Saturday, August 1, Sam turned 14. I can't believe how quickly time flies by. On Saturday morning he returned home from EFY, briefly got caught up, unpacked dirty clothes, grabbed a swimsuit and headed for the lake. He spent a fun day innertubing and hanging out with his cousins and friends. Sam is an awesome young man. It is a real treat for Mike and I to watch him grow up. Sam we are proud of you and all of the great things you are doing, we love you very much. Happy Birthday!
Carrot Cake, of course!
Flying high (sorry this is out of focus but I love the picture)

Tubing Mania

You know it is going to be a good wipe out when you land like this!

Displaying his new ties. He likes the ties but loves the $$$ he received as gifts.

MONTANA Road Trip

On July 10th Megan, Sam, and I ducked out of Youth Conference early and headed with the family to Montana. We love going to my parents home in Bozeman. We always have such a great time. Everytime we leave we talk about the next time we can go back. Please forgive all of the pictures. We had so much fun, I wish I could post a 100. Someday I plan on having this blog put into a book so I wanted to make sure I had plenty of great photos from our trip. Besides the photos below we managed to spend a little time in my mom's craft room (store), hike the mountain to the "M", play cards with Uncle Mike, and spend a lot of time with family. Sam, I promise we will get you on the river fishing soon. Thanks everyone for the great memories and thanks Mom and Dad for hosting all of us.

Grandpa with the grandkids at Grotto Falls

Megan, Mollie, and Sam, enjoying the hike

Tons of laughter with cousin Ryan

I love the scenery and the beautiful pictures

You have to love a hike where you carry "bear repellant spray"
It was great to have Mike with us on this trip.

Hanging out at Great Grandpa and Grandma Coil's house

Sunset and Smores, HEAVEN!
Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Coil!

I loved spending time with my family

Dress up with Grandma's Nightgowns

My brother's Tim and Jeff, messing around like usual

All nine cousins (grandkids) together for the first time ever.

Me with brothers, Jeff and Tim, and my sister Kath
Thanks for all the laughter

Spending time with cousins
(poor Megan, it is rough being the oldest)

12 People

11 life jackets (not sure in an emergency who had to go without)

5 tubes

2 rafts

1 picnic lunch

unlimited sunscreen

and tons of laughter

equels one great day on the Madison River

With a little prodding the girls talked Sam into taking the "long" way home and taking time to tour the Oquirrh Mountain temple. It was wonderful to see and tour the temple, visit friends and family in the few short hours we were in Utah, and catch lunch at HIRES before hitting the road again. The ride home was uneventful but very long. Next time I'll make sure Mike doesn't fly home ahead of the rest of us, my backside was very sore after spending

20 hours (in a 36 hour period) in the drivers seat.

A Fourth To Remember

We spent a very fun and event filled weekend at the lake on the 4th. It was great to spend time with the Hickman family and with friends. The weather was great and the kids spent a lot of time in the water. On Saturday a fire started on the hill at the end of the lake. It was very captivating to watch. On Sunday morning when we woke up to clean up and pack up the power was out around the lake. That made for a very interesting adventure that morning. We had a great discussion about "olden times" as we washed dished by hand with boiled water and hauled buckets of water up from the lake to use in the bathrooms. Already looking forward to next year. Sorry these pictures are so out of order but here are a few highlights.

The fire made for some amazing photos taken from our front lawn.

Lounging in the hot tub after a midnight swim.

Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks!

The smoke from fire made for an awesome sunset picture.

A plane dropping fire retardent.

Synchronized Swimming!

Tons of laughter and fun.

Mollie's one request, making homemade ice cream with Grandma

Adventures in tubing!

Finally, Mike's highlight. His friend took him out crabbing on Friday and he really enjoyed eating his catch. Yes, there was plenty for everyone in the family.

Mollie having a little more fun.