Hinkson Family

Check out our cool extended Hinkson family that we were able to spend time with recently. Although we were gathered for the worst of circumstances (funeral), it was remarkable to just be together and feel the love that can only be shared amongst family and the closest of friends. Even though we don't all live near one another, it is great to be connected by the greatest bond-- family. Go Hinksons!

Claire and Vanessa meet for the first time. They are eight months apart in age.  At the time this was taken, Claire was almost one and Nessa was four months.  Claire only weighed one pound more than Vanessa at the time.

Pretty Vanessa Joy! (Sounds cheesey but she really is a joy to us.)

Chris and cousin Ralph

Great Grandma plays with Hannah and Hallie

Grandpa Wynn with Jessica and two of his three granddaughters

Jessica, Vanessa, Diane, and Grandma

Grandpa and Claire

Out to eat

Marty, Grandma, Greg, and Barb

Happy Birthday, Kaylene!

When Hallie discovered it was Aunt Kaylene's birthday, she was stoked. She said "And we will make cupcakes for her!" How about a little video instead?
Happy Birthday to our incredibly talented, beautiful, and smart sister-in-law, Kaylene. We are all so lucky to have you.

Love and Loss

We lost our brother.
It was sudden. It was tragic. And it was gut-wrenching.
It also became healing. And peaceful. And binding.
It's still hard to imagine we won't see him again in this life.
But we know we will see him in the next.
Here are pictures to remember one of the hardest days of life so far.
But it is still something to be remembered.

Classy Birthday to you, Grandma

Happy Birthday to the classiest woman I know.

It seems like today women in the world are striving to be overtly sexy, vulgar, and loud. There isn't anything wrong with letting our voices be heard. But why can't we do it in a proper, eloquent, planned way instead of with a crass, careless, aggressive and flippant attitude? Whoever tries to be classy anymore?

My Grandma is the epitome of class and I want to be just like her. My Grandma is loving and patient. She listens. She is positive and uplifiting. She is warm and inviting. She stands up for what is right. She has high standards of personal behavior that are reflected in the children she raised, the home she created, and the radiant brightness she eminates. She is skillful without a trace of manipulation. She is graceful.

Too many women are satisfied with mediocrity. The "this is who I am-- take it or leave it" mentality is, to me, an excuse to be lazy. I have my lazy days but I want more of myself. I want to be hard-working. I want to be positive. I want to be exceptional.

I want to be classy. And thank goodness I have the ultimate model I can try to follow.

Happy Birthday, Nelly Elsy! I want to be you when I grow up.

Spam

Here are the ultimate funniest five baby photos of my little brother that turns 25 today!

I chose the theme of funny pictures because nobody can make me laugh like my brother, Dan. I love him and am so glad that I only had to wait three years to have him in my life. He has absolutely made my life one hundred times brighter since he entered it (those were dark days of toddlerdom without him). This is the boy who played Ninja Turtles with me while I played Barbies. He was the co-host of our imaginary television show "Fluffy Time Station." He sang weird random songs with me and made up clubs with me. Now, he leaves awesome messages on my answering machine that make me laugh out really loud when I listen to them. Happy Birthday, Spam! I love you!

John's visit

We were so thrilled last week when John called and said he booked a flight to see us. On Saturday night, I picked him up from the airport. On the way home, we dined on burgers at Culver's and shared an ice cream. The greatest thing about having John is that he is a.) enthusiatic and b.) gracious. He acted like we had the best house in the world and that we lived in the best city in the world. Of course we firmly believe both but it is great to hear it from someone else. On Sunday, Hallie was sick so Daddy stayed home with her while John and I went to sacrament meeting at church. Afterward, I drove him through Palmer Park.

John requested our family tradition for lunch-- tacos (just like Grandma Skaggs makes). We talked and played with the kids. Uncle John even wore Belle's dress for a second and played with the prince while Hallie played princesses.

After the girls napped, we packed in the car and drove through The Garden of the Gods.

The following day we did a little window shopping, took John out to Chinese, Hallie opened her Christmas present from John, and Chris, Hallie, and John went to the zoo.

We had such a great time with Uncle John. We love him and appreciate his thoughtfulness.