Year End Catch Up!

So, as you can see the last six months have flown by and been so busy I have not kept our blog up to date. My goal this next year is to do better at keeping everyone updated on our lives and happenings. This post is a quick recap of the past six months. Here we go:

Charles played baseball again this summer. He loved it.

We spent many evenings at the baseball for practice and games.

We even had Bennett at the ball field at 10 days old.

Michelle started "big preschool". She goes 3 mornings a week.

Her teacher's name is Miss Terry.

Her son is in our ward and our home teacher.

Bennett continued to grow and bring us joy and laughter.

We made a quick trip to Utah and Idaho to take part Dena's sister Resa's wedding.

Resa is so happy and her new husband is great!!

A family trip to California over Fall Break.

This was a rescheduled trip that was supposed to happen over Spring Break.

We went to Disney.

We spent time playing at the beach.

After we had been playing at Newport Beach we found out there had

been a shark attack 5 miles up the beach from where we had been.

We spent lots of time in the pool, even in the rain.

Bennett even loved the water.

HALLOWEEN!

This year the whole family got involved with the football theme.

Michelle turned 5 and had three Hello Kitty birthday parties!!

Bennett grew again and started looking like a little boy and not a baby.

Thanksgiving at home in Castle Rock with a lucky quirk of Tadd and Resa joining us.

We were all supposed to go to Texas. Tadd and Resa's flight got canceled from

Utah to Denver. Once they got here Resa was sick and couldn't make the trip to Texas.

Missed our family but had fun.

We have been very blessed this year in so many ways. This is just a glimpse of the things we were able to do and accomplish. Hopefully you enjoyed this whirl wind as much as we did.

July 4th!

The 4th of July weekend found our little family welcoming extended family who came to meet Bennett. Mom's sister Resa flew in from Logan, UT. It was so exciting to have her visit. Grandpa, Nona, and Grandma Chocolate came up from Alamosa, CO. It was fun to have so much family together. We hung out and visited and had a talent show. Mostly everyone took turns holding Bennett and laughing at the silly things Charles and Michelle were doing.

Grandpa's turn

Nona's turn

Grandma Chocolate's turn

Aunt Resa's turn

Bennett Dean Hicks

We were so excited to welcome Bennett to our family on Monday, June 28, 2010. I don't know who was more excited, mom to have this pregnancy over or the kids to have a new brother. Bennet was born at 2:34pm. He weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and was 20 inches long. Mom was induced and everything went really well.

When Gabe's parents brought the kids to the hospital we had Bennett in his crib kind of over in the corner. The kids came in and gave me hugs and climbed up on the bed. They asked questions about this and that but never said anything about the baby. After 10 minutes Charles looked over and saw the crib and asked if it was baby Bennett. Gabe brought Bennett over to us on the bed. The kids were so excited to see Bennett and look at his tiny ears, arms, hands, feet, toes, bellybutton, and hair. It was such a wonderful reaction from the kids.

Michelle holding Bennett for the first time.

Charles holding Bennett.

Our family is very happy to have this precious angel in our family. The Lord has blessed us so greatly. I am very happy that the older two were so excited and loving with Bennett. We only hope it stays that way.

Michelle's Ballet Recital - June 4, 2010

Michelle had her second ballet recital. She really loves ballet and dances all over the house or anytime she hears music. This was an event that she anticipated for weeks. Every day she would ask if it was her recital yet. I love that she has a passion for something at a young age. Lots of our family came from out of town. Before the recital we went outside and took pictures of our little ballerina.

This year Michelle's class did a dance to "Pretty Woman". It was so cute. Michelle actually did most of the dance this year instead of just looking out into the audience and being lost.

Flowers and final bows!

Of course Uncle Mike started this thing last year of having Michelle sign her autograph on his program. This year signing autographs continued. She was proud of herself that she could write her own name and not just the first letter.

After Michelle's recital, everyone came back to our house for a BBQ. Michelle has decided that this has to be the tradition every year after her recital. It was a lot of fun. Michelle really is making progress in her ballet and still loving it. We hope this continues!

Charles' Kindergarten Graduation

What an exciting and sad day to see your Kindergartner graduate. Charles was so excited to graduate and become a first grader. Mom was sad because her little boy is growing up. Next year he will be in school all day and mom is not sure she is ready for that. Graduation was good. The theme was "Oh the Places You'll Go" from Dr. Seuss.

Here are the classes coming in getting ready.

Singing about the months of the year

Charles with his diploma

Charles and his teacher Mrs. Johnson

Charles and Mrs. Z. She took over for Mrs. Johnson when she was out on maternity leave.

Charles and some of his friends from Kindergarten

Charles really had a good year in Kindergarten. He loved recess, PE, Spanish, computers, math, and music. He learned a lot and had some great experiences. We are very proud of him and hope that his love for learning will only increase in first grade!!

Kindergarten Field Day

The last week of school Charles' school had field day. He was so excited. They got special shirts to wear, he went to school in the morning, and he got to eat lunch at school. On the lawn in front of the school they had several different stations for the classes to rotate through. Each station was run by some of the 6th graders.

Tug of War

Flag ball toss

Beach Volleyball with rackets

Balance Board

Hoola Hoop

Walking boards

Basketball

Running Races - Charles came in 4th for two kindergarten classes

Bounce and Climb House

Water Ball War

Raft Rides

Slip N Slide

Michelle and I went to watch some of field day. We ended up spending the whole time there except for lunch. It was so much fun to watch the Kindergartners with permanent smiles on their faces. Michelle was so good to just cheer on the class and watch all of the stations. She can't wait until it is her turn to have a Field Day. We were all exhausted when we got home, but it was a lot of fun!!