A Merry Christmas at the Hickey's

Leading up to Christmas Day, Nathan could hardly contain himself. He was counting down the days, literally bouncing off the walls, and driving me crazy. On the "big day", Tristan and Nathan woke up early and started opening their gifts before the sun came up. They both got new decks (skateboards) from Uncle Jim. They couldn't have been more thrilled. The family got a Wii game which was a big hit for everyone. Uncle Jim made us a wonderful breakfast as we opened gifts, listened to Christmas tunes and had fun playing Wii. Our baby boy, Tiger had to be part of all the action and couldn't have been more cute hanging out on the couch watching the boys open all their gifts.







This was a very special Christmas for me because I had all my brothers here to celebrate with me and my family.



Mitch was here with his girls, Taylor and Rilee.



JB and I were thrilled to be able to celebrate Christmas with our two younger brothers Matt and Benji.



Matt moved to LA back in August and is making a go of it in Hollywood. I hope I don't embarrass him too much, but I have to say, you all better keep your eyes on him because before too long, we'll be reading about him as People Magazines Sexiest Man Alive. I'm really, really happy he's here and that we are able to participate in eachother's lives. I hope he stays awhile and makes LA his home.



Benji came out from Georgia, where he is a teacher, for a Christmas visit. My boys were thrilled to see him. We're working on him to make the move to LA, but somehow I think Benji will always call Georgia his home.



It was alot of fun for all of us to hang out together.







I did not have the special opportunity to spend much time with Matt and Benji growing up. I grew up here in LA and they were raised on the family farm in Georgia. I'm beyond thrilled that I've had this chance to spend with them and get to know them alittle bit better. They are wonderful young men. I love them very much and I'm very proud of them both. I'm really looking forward to spending more quality time with both of them and truely hope that we can all be more present in eachother's lives.



At the end of our Christmas Day together Mother Nature blessed us with this beautiful Christmas rainbow and I took it as a sign that more good things are surely to come in 2009.



Happy Holidays! Love, Lisa

Happy Thanksgiving

Our plans for Thanksgiving were to go up to Sean's sister, Gigi's house in San Jose. We usually leave early Wednesday, to make the 5-8 hour drive up. This year my brother Matt, who has moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, was going to join us for all the good fun up at Gigi's. However, Sean and I both came down with the stomach flu Tuesday. By Tuesday night, Sean and I felt so sick that we cancelled all our plans for San Jose and called Matt and told him the trip was off. Tristan and Nathan were so bummed that they would not get to see their cousins for Thanksgiving. I was bummed because I love going to Gigi's for Thanksgiving. Gigi does such a beautiful job and she's a great inspiration to me. Plus, I really love spending time with that side of Sean's family that we don't get to see see very often. Sean was bummed too, because he told Roch we would be there. He was torn though, because he just got a new mountain bike and he really wanted to stay home and go for a long mountain bike ride with his buddy Steve. Anyway, to make a long story short, we woke up Wednesday morning, felt much better and decided to pack up and go ahead with our plans. Matt had made other plans to go with his friends to a Ranch, so he didn't join us.


Gigi amazes me every year with how beautifully she decorates her home and the delicious Thanksgiving feast she prepares for all of us. This year there were about 35 people at Gigi's for Thanksgiving. She set up a tent in her backyard and set the Thanksgiving table up out there. Of course, it was a gorgeous table set with candles, and a lovely runner of ribbons and fresh fruit that ran the length of the table. Thanksgiving would not be the same without Megan in the kitchen helping Gigi prepare the scrumptious feast. They are two peas in a pod and I love listening to their kitchen antics. It's truly one of my favorite things. For the last few years Megan's new husband Ben has been helping too. Both Megan and Ben are amazing chefs and outstanding hosts. Cannot wait for Olive's SLO Bistro to open guys!




Everyone had a wonderful time and the prayer offered up by Rochelle and read by Gigi was a fitting prayer. Speaking to all the Earth's wonders and bounty's that we should be thankful for. Roxanna offered some great toasts and everyone sitting around the table expressed something that they were thankful for. Sean was thankful for my laughter. I was thankful that Sean hadn't walked home after we got into a fight when I suggested we should call Roch for directions. Earlier that day, Rayleen reminded me that there's a reason for that song "Do you know the way to San Jose." Every year a few of us that travel up to San Jose get lost. Every year! Sometimes we fight about it and sometimes we laugh about it. This year Sean and I fought; Roch and Denise laughed. In the end, I was glad that we could all laugh about it, sitting around that beautiful Thanksgiving table.








We all had a feastive time visiting and laughing. The cousins, the younger ones all boys, had a great time rough housing in Gigi's backyard. It's amazing how time flys. All the kids are getting so big and I couldn't help but think what the next generation of Hickey cousins will look like. With little Aidan and Izzy leading the pack. I hope this wonderful Thanksgiving tradition of being together as a big family can continue on and be enjoyed by all the Hickey cousins well up until the time that they have children of their own and beyond. Being part of such a beautiful Thanksgiving tradition is truly something to be thankful for.


Love, Lisa

My First Update

Well, this is my first attempt at writing about What's Up With the Hickey's. It's going to take me some time to get used to writing about what we've been up too. But I figure, this will be a good way to keep our extended family in the loop.

We all had a great time on Halloween. We had Tristan's buddy Harrison (the Joker) with us. We went to my girlfriend Jennifer's annual Halloween party. My camera was acting up, so most of the pictures came out blurry. Of course, the boys came home with tons of candy and the fight was on. Seriously, I'm such a wonderful Mom (LOL!), I ususally just let them overdose on candy for the first day or so, until they get sick of it. Then, it's much easier to quietly take it away without too much trauma.

It was a fun soccer season. Both the boys played their last games yesterday, although Tristan's team will more than likely go on to Playoffs. Which means, we'll be playing a bit more soccer with him.

Nathan was lucky enough to be placed on the same team with his cousin Emmett. Emmett's Dad, Uncle Dino coached them. Sean helped out a bit too. Nathan's team was called the Cyclones. For the most part, I think they had a really great time. Although, yesterday it was pretty hot. I noticed Nathan does not perform at his best when it's so hot out. The Cyclones ended up loosing their last game, but they forgot about it really quick, when we went to their team party right after the game. All in all, I think Nathan enjoyed his season.

Tristan's team was called the Green Gecko's, although, for some reason I kept calling them the Green Gablin's. Tristan has been on a green team, his entire soccer life and as been called the Green Gablin's or the Green Gecko's two or three times. It's getting to the point where I can't keep it straight. The Green Gecko's started off struggling, but yesterday they pulled it off big, by beating the team, that beat them bad the very first game of the season. It was sweet revenge and the boys coudn't have been happier. It's off to the playoffs now.

Well, I'm off to take the boys to cousin Ethan's birthday party. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the Holidays.

Love, Lisa