Beach Camping

We had so much fun camping at Manresa State Beach. Our campgrounds were up on the hill, just a short walk down to the beach. Perfect camping in my mind. The only downside to this trip was Brian wasn't able to come with us. (We can't all be teachers and get summers off) We went with my parents, my sister and her family, and my brother and his gf. We are thinking this needs to become a Hicks family tradition.

The two youngest cousins relaxing while we set up camp













We love sand castles...


waiting for water to fill their buckets... it was a long wait.. lol
















climbing trees


flying kites






Branco makes a good babysitter






My brother cheezin it..


Wondering what's going on with foster care? There are a couple different developments in the works. We are waiting to see what direction God is leading our family and as soon as we know we will let you all know as well. They both involve taking kids into our home in different ways... just new opportunities we are excited about!

4th of July!

For as long as I can remember we have celebrated the 4th of July with my mom's brothers family. My uncle and my sister have the same bday the end of June so we always used it as an opportunity to celebrate that. Now my niece has her bday the beginning of July so we've added her party to the 4th get together as well. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Our attempt to get the little cousin pic.. although this wasn't how we were instructing them to stand.. it might be my favorite picture of the 5 cousins.


A little more traditional


All of the "kid" cousins.. Although some of them wont be kids for much longer.


The A family.. Minus one.. we missed you Ash!








My awesome parents


Me and my sister


And with our cousins who might as well be our sisters.


Happy bday K!


B playing it extra safe in the kiddie pool. Notice her life jacket, and floatie!




Cam diggin in to the cake

Montana 2011

The first time we went to Montana was in 2008...


as you can see, Camden was only a month old.

This year was our forth year going. Every summer we wonder if we'll get to have the opportunity to go again and so far we are lucky enough to return each year.

For those of you that haven't heard. We get to stay on flat head lake in a beautiful lake house. The people that own the house are two of the most generous people I have ever met in my life. They go to the church in Arizona where Brian's dad used to be the pastor. They let us use the house, their boat, jet skiis etc all for free. I got to meet them myself this year and they proved to be exactly how I pictured them to be. They were so kind, I felt like i'd known them forever with how comfortable they made us feel.

It's a great reminder for me. We need to be thankful for what God has blessed us with and be willing to share it with the people in our lives. I don't have a lake house, a boat, or jet skiis.. but I do have more "things" than a lot of people in this world do and its a good reminder I need to be willing to share those things with others.

"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."
-1 Timothy 6:17-19




Now for the fun part.. pictures from this years trip.. warning... lots of pictures

I know this hat is pink... but you have to admit he rocks it well..


The whole fam loved the wave runners..


and tubing


Brians older brother and his wife




the "kids"


grandpa giving badminton lessons


and soccer lessons.. notice cam kicking with the top of his foot and not his toe


and volleyball..


and croquet



playing tag with auntie K


teeter toter with Nonna


throwing rocks in the water is a HUGE event in Montana


We did a mini photo shoot while we there..









The rodeo




Moms learn how to multi task




when did A take modeling classes?




every year there's something new, this year was the tree house.