The Hicks Family

Hi all. We hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving celebration. We went to Atlanta to visit Jim and Allison Orchid in their new home in Atlanta. Jim made a fantastic dinner and we all enjoyed watching Polar Express to help kick off the Christmas Season.

Halloween with the Hicks family

Happy Halloween,

We had a great night with some friends here in NC. We had a big burger and homemade fry night and the kids went out in the neighborhood for treats. Scott likes to dress in all black and run around his yard scaring kids and their parents. Enjoy the photos.

A New Driver in the House

Hunter borrowed his brothers car and went for a joy ride today through the house. Look at that smile! I hope that this smile brightens your day.

Happy Birthday Haden

Today was Haden's birthday. We thank God for his birth and we are thankful that we are blessed to have him in our life. With the threat of Hurricane Hanna looming we rescheduled his party from the park to Chuck E. Cheese.

Haden loved the games and the activities, but wasn't so sure about Chuck E.

We have an Artist

Dedra was working away on a project yesterday when she noticed that things were just a little too quiet. When she found Haden, he had taken markers, decorated a box, and himself.

He even got some in his mouth and nose. He was very proud of himself!

First Day of School

Hanna had her first day of Fourth Grade today. We went out Sunday and bought a new outfit to wear to school, but found out that she had PE today, so we will show the new outfit for her second day of school. Dedra and I love her teacher, Mr. Woodell. Please pray for him and their class. (That's not a joke, 15 boys and 10 girls)

Busy July!

Well, I just realized that we were so busy in July I did not add any blogs for the month. I promise that will not happen again.

July started with a bang, as we went to Breckenridge Colorado for a week of fun in the mountains. We had some Texas family come and meet us there to get out of the heat.

Richard and I had a great hike and accomplished a triple 14'er hike.

The kids had a great time playing and getting to try new outdoor adventures including hiking, adventure parks, and white water rafting.

This might have been Nana's wildest ride down the mountain roller coaster with Hanna at the controls.

My favorite day was the day we spent on the river. We had a couple of problems getting ready for the trip. Dad had altitude sickness and was not able to go, and my sister Jennifer and her daughter Lauren got stopped by a small regulation that we forgot as we signed the paperwork with our guide service. The day was very cloudy and cold, and when we got into the 50 degree water we were all glad we had wet suits and splash jackets.

All in all we had a fantastic time. More news to follow.

Tacky Tourist at Vacation Bible School

Today is tacky tourist day at VBS for the Hicks family. Dedra is teaching a 3rd grade class with Hanna, and the boys have everyone running. Hunter has never eaten so well in his life as he has this week! Check out Haden's hat, very tacky!

Big Fathers Day at the Hicks House

Sunday was a fantastic day here for our family. I was blessed to be able to spend time with my beautiful wife and my 3 wonderful children. My day started with breakfast in bed with the kids. We went to church and listened to a great message about being a Father that was awesome. We spent the day playing and even got in a quick nap before Hunter needed a bottle and woke us up. In the evening Hanna and I had a chance to be drawn to participate in our church's version of "My Dad is Better than Your Dad." In the end, we were not drawn to play, but after watching the events I am 100% positive that we would have easily won the contest. We got a chance to talk to all the Dad's and wish them each a Happy Fathers Day.

It's Hot!!!

One of the great things that we have loved about North Carolina has been the weather, but with temperatures reaching 99 today, we might as well be in Houston! This is very unusual for our area this early in the year. So the kids got one of the old favorites to keep them cool. We can't wait for Colorado!!!

Visitors from Texas

This week Nana, Papa, and Aunt Lisa were here while we went to Disney. Hanna had a magical time just spending some alone time with Dedra and I. She has done such a great job with her brothers, that we thought that she needed a little time away. I will set up some Disney photos on the next blog. We took a picture of the Hicks kids on the swing set before everyone left.

Go Astros!!!

Hunter wanted to declare is team. GO Astros!!!

Hanna's Big Week

Great News from North Carolina. Hanna had her big performance of "Fish Tale's" this week at school. Hanna's special guest who happened to be visiting from Texas was her Grandma Vickie.

She also had a Charlotte's Web dress up day and class party. Dedra made the class some incredible spider cupcakes and Vickie made Hanna a spider outfit.

Then tonight Hanna won 2nd place in the Awana Grand Prix. Her pink Nissan Titan also won the trophy for most authentic street car.

Hanna wants to let everyone know that the car was florescent pink, and her secret was toothpaste. We have some photos for you to see her in action.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all our friends and family. We had a wonderful day here in North Carolina. It started out cool, but it turned into a fantastic day. I have some photos of the family including baskets and special Easter surprises. The funniest part of the day was Haden's reaction to his chocolate bunny. Hope all of you are well.

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Hunter update

Hunter is doing great. Dedra took him to the doctor this week and he weighs 13.5 lbs. He is starting to sleep through some nights which is a welcome relief for Dedra. He smiles and laughs now, and is starting to make little noises, other than just crying. Spring is in the air here in North Carolina. This is one of the best times of the year for all of us.

Hanna's Party!

Well it has been a couple of weeks since Hanna's birthday update. I wanted to get a couple of photos up to show her party from Libby Lu's. For those of you who are out of touch with 9 year old girls, Libby Lu's is a beauty shop for tweens. Girls come in and get hair styles, a little face makeup, and some nail polish, with their friends. They then teach the girls some crazy kid dances, and let them dance in front of the store or inside if they are too shy. Hanna had a great time!

Happy Birthday Hanna!!!

Good Morning! I would like everyone to wish Hanna a happy 9th birthday today. It is very hard to believe that my little sunshine is 9 years old. We are having her party on Sunday, and I will update photos at that time. Hanna had breakfast in bed this morning and Dedra and the boys will be having lunch with her today at school.

Happy Birthday Hanna, your family loves you very much!

Baby Hunter update

I wanted to give an update on Hunter's progress to everyone. Dedra took him for his check up this week and all look great. He weighs 10.6 and is growing everyday! He has started smiling and makes a little cooing sound. We are still not sleeping through the night, but we are still waiting.

Haden's new bike

Haden got a new bike and wanted to show it off!

Thanks Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Junior, he loves it.

Nana and the boys

We had visitors from Texas the past week. Mom, Dad, and Lisa came and stayed with us. Mom gave Dedra some rest, and everyone got hooked on WII bowling! I will add some more photos this week.

Let it Snow

Well the cold air from Canada and the rain from Houston and this is what we got!

Baby Hunter

Well we have almost finished our first week home and I wanted to send out an update. Dedra and Hunter have both had their checkups and are both doing fantastic! We are exspecting snow on Saturday and I will have some pictures of Hanna, and Haden playing in the snow. Keep your fingers crossed!

The Hicks Boys

Look out, here come the Hicks boys!

We had a great day on Sunday. It only took us two hours to get everyone ready to get in the car and go to the store. I told Dedra we would have to find a way to pick up the pace if we were going to leave the house this year.

WE ARE HOME!

Just as fast as the blood work turned, we are home. I am so thankful to God for the health of my wife and children. We serve an AWESOME GOD!

We would like to take an opportunity to thank our Greensboro support staff, without whom we would have been in big trouble. We would especially like to thank Jamie Key, Scott and Jennifer Davis, and Donald and Jennifer Brewer for loving, and caring for Hanna and Haden, while we were in the hospital.