Snow Day

It snowed last week. A nice, light snowstorm. The boys were thrilled and loved making snowballs and an interesting "snowman." Then a few days later, it REALLY SNOWED. We woke up to a whiteout. It snowed 8 inches overnight. School was cancelled, the sun came out, and the boys did some serious sledding down the mountain next to our house.

Carson makes a snowball.

All geared up, ready to play in an inch of snow.

A creative snowman.

Our sledding hill. Come sled with us when it snows again!

Our Crazy-Happy Baby

We have been blessed with the happiest baby EVER. He is always incredibly excited and has the hugest open-mouth smile. Parker is 5 months now and just seems thrilled to be part of our crazy family. He has started rolling and can sit up. We don't like this. We want him to stay a cozy, cuddly little baby forever.

We Travel Back In Time! (well, sort of)

Last August we decided to visit our Las Vegas neighborhood and "camp" in our old house before the Walkers moved in. It was crazy for the boys to sleep in their own rooms -- even if it was just on the floor! We literally had nothing but a cooler and a few rolls of toilet paper. Fortunately, that's not a problem when you have resourceful friends. Thanks so much to Emily for the mattress, bedding, and table and chairs; and to Jenny for the mini fridge! Truly the necessities of life!

Staying there for a week really made me homesick for our Vegas friends. We spent four great years surrounded by the most amazing families. I think my hardest trials hit during the Vegas years. I know those friends and neighbors were there specifically to help me. Thank you again (you know who you are!) for being there for me.

Carson & Jack on the corner of Sawmill Falls Street. Many a "jeep," wiggle-car and
bicycle raced around this corner.

Crazy Carson is at it again!

Dallin enjoys some relaxin' time.

Love that Baby Parker

Thanks so much to Jen for taking these cute pics of Parker last month. (I love having talented friends!) I think he was a little over a month in these pictures. We are still loving little "Pie-kuh," and will post some new pics of him smiling! There is nothing better than a toothless baby grin :)

Running Through the Sprinklers: Mtn. Green Style

Across from our home is a water retention pond, lovingly called "the ditch" by the boys. Who needs a yard when you've got a gorgeous green field next door? The boys love playing baseball, golf, kickball, and "tackle soccer" here, but had never timed it right to run through the sprinklers until this evening. They had A BLAST! 

It's Great to Be 8!

We are proud of Dallin and his decision to be baptized. He was very excited to be baptized and confirmed -- no arm twisting or complaints this time around. (No offense, Jack.)

Dallin is a wonderful big brother in our home. It's amazing to get up in the morning and see that he has already helped his little brothers get breakfast, unloaded part of the dishwasher, and has gotten dressed and made his bed. He's a better mother than I am these days! Sometimes he's almost too good to be true. (But then he'll whack Carson, proving he's a somewhat normal kid!)

Baby Parker Is Here!

Parker Benjamin Taylor arrived Tuesday, May 22, at 3:04 in the afternoon. He was the perfect size -- 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 21 inches long. (Jack and Carson were both 21 inches long, but pushing 9 lbs!) Labor wasn't too bad. I went in for the induction that morning at 8 a.m., watched a good movie, then had a baby! I LOVED my hospital stay and ordered lots of delicious room service, watched movies, read books, and held Parker.

The boys love having a new brother. Cameron calls him Baby Pie-keh. Cousin George (somewhat mocking Cam) told Lindsay he wanted to visit Baby "Pie-keh." Cameron said in his angry high-pitched voice, "No Goige, it's 'Piekah,' not 'Piekah.'" (Sadly, my children aren't quite as articulate as the Hickman boys.)

He is so sweet and peaceful, everybody loves him! Jack cannot hold him enough, and makes sure that he gets the longest turns. I feel great and am so grateful to have this wonderful, new little boy. (The fact that I'm no longer pregnant makes me soooooo happy as well!!!)

Our New Home

It's official -- we live in Utah and have closed on our home! And we are unpacked, somewhat organized and decorated, and don't feel like we're just visiting anymore. I'm starting to really enjoy it now that it isn't just a huge pile of work -- unpacking, cleaning, organizing, boxes, boxes and more boxes. (Advice -- never move while 8 months pregnant.) The boys love their new rooms, have enjoyed going to school here this year, and play in the dirt all day long. What more can you ask for?! Here are some pics . . . come and visit anytime!

Entry

Dining Room

Family Room

Great Room

Study

Kitchen

Butler's Pantry

Laundry

Lockers in Laundry

Master

Master bath

Cameron & Carson's room

Jack & Dallin's Room

Nursery

Carson's Mario Party!

Happy Birthday to Carson -- four years old! Our little live wire chose to have a Mario Party. (The first birthday in our new house!)

Here are the boys at our traditional birthday breakfast.

Carson loved his cool Mario mushroom cake.

Carson's favorite color is orange. Here he is with his signature orange hat. (He sleeps in it, bathes in it, and tries to wear it to church!)

New Home Sneak Peek

It's been quite a project, but we are just a few weeks away from moving in. Countertops, carpet, fixtures and a few odds and ends are all that's left!

The boys love playing in the giant mud pit that is our yard.

The staircase railing just got stained today.

The bookcases in the study/library. We're just missing the railing and the ladder.

I'm so happy with how the dining room turned out. Thanks to Sadie for the trim inspiration!

The great room.

Our three-toned kitchen.

My favorite room -- the mud room. Luckily we added that 5th locker!

The nursery.

The playroom.

Jack & Dallin's "boat room."