Christmas Craft at the Hicken House

This star was pieced together from scraps while waiting for Allen to bring home more felt from the States.

January 2, 2014

This is a post short on words and long on pictures.  A friend at church loaned us an artificial tree for Christmas this year because they weren't going to be needing it because they were spending Christmas in the States.  The tree turned out to be a very large 9 foot tree.  Thankfully they had left the lights on it.  But the big problem was ornaments for the tree.  We didn't want to buy ornaments that we were just going to have to leave here.  I got the idea to make felt ornaments from Emma and Rachel's Homeschool Co-Op Craft Class where they made a stocking ornament out of felt.  My sister, Anna, had sent the girls a stack of felt back in October when they first got excited about sewing.  I dug through what remained of the stack and decided to make some star ornaments and use the craft buttons my sister sent along with the felt.  The stars turned out to be fun to make and the more stars I made, the more ideas I had for other things to put on the stars.  Emma and Rachel helped me make some stars too.  It's a craft project that turned out to be a lot of fun and easy to take along anywhere: the beach, homeschool co-op, and even Cambodia.  I'm going to be sad to take down my tree and put the ornaments away.

I had family asking me to put pictures of the stars online for them to see, so the rest of this post is just pictures of all the stars we made.  Enjoy!

We started out simple.

Then we got more complicated.

Rachel's Star

Emma's Star

 

Emma's Star

Go Blue!

Batman Star in our Superhero Series suggested by Nate

Captain America in the Supherhero Series

Superman in the Superhero Series

In honor of our Pride and Prejudice fans and finishing the book 2 days before Christmas

The first one in my first set of Nativity Stars

Rachel helped me make the Angel Star for my first Nativity Set.  I cut out shapes, she sewed. (But I did the eyes and halo.)

Shepherd Star

Three Kings Star...the Nativity Set is complete.

Nativity Set Starter for Nate

Nativity Set Starter for Rachel

Nativity Set Starter for Laura

Nativity Set Starter for Emma

Shell Star done by Rachel to remind her of the beach.

The first star that Rachel did...I cut out the heart shape and star shape, she did the rest.

Rachel's Holly Leaf Star.  I cut out the leaf shapes for her, she did the rest.

Choose the Right Star

Go Cougars!

 

Thailand Flag Star...kinda looks like it's waving, doesn't it?  We'll just pretend I planned it that way.

Christmas Music Star

I Love to See the Temple Star

Brazil Flag Star in honor of our missionary sister in Brazil

Hicken Family 2014 Christmas Card

December 3, 2014

Welcome Family and Friends to the FIRST EVER…HOWDYS!!

The Hicken Outstanding aWards for Distinguished Year 2014 Stupendousness

We want to thank our Sponsors: Fulbright of Thailand, the Bob and Sherrie Harbrecht Family Foundation, the Dee and Judy Hicken Family Foundation, and the University of Michigan for providing the continual support and encouragement that makes these awards possible.

First up is the Your Life Will Never Be the Same Award.  The nominees are:

1.  Renting our home in Chelsea, Michigan for a year starting in August.

2.  Allen being released as bishop of the Chelsea Ward in June.

3.  Discovering that cable that hooks a computer to a TV so you can watch all your YouTube and

Computer Favorites on the Big Screen.

4.  Moving to Thailand and Australia for a year starting mid-July.

And the award goes to:  MOVING TO THAILAND AND AUSTRALIA FOR A YEAR!  Our family left Utah in the middle of July minus our oldest daughter, Camille who is serving a mission in Recife, Brazil and our second oldest daughter, Bethany who is attending BYU Provo.  Allen had saved up two sabbatical leaves at the U of M and decided to take them back to back when he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study elections in Thailand.  We’ve been living in Bangkok since July surviving the heat and humidity as we enjoy a different culture.  Alisa is homeschooling 8^th grade Laura, 6^th grade Emma, and 4^th grade Rachel.  11^th grade Nathan is participating in a virtual high school program from Michigan that will give him all the high school credit he needs to stay on track to graduate.  We will be in Bangkok until mid-February when we will move to Canberra, Australia till July of 2015.  It’s been a life-changing experience for all of us.

The following awards were presented at a ceremony last week and are announced here for your information.

The awards for Travel Agent of the Year and The Frequent Flyer Buns of Steel Award go to Allen Hicken who has booked and planned numerous flights for himself and assorted family members all with just a laptop and internet.  He has also logged more miles on an airplane than all the rest of the Hicken Family members combined with destinations including Qatar, Indonesia, Australia, Sweden, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and exotic Utah.  Now he works from our apartment most days with frequent late night conference calls, conferences to attend, and lectures to give. He’s even had the chance to give some advice on the new Thai constitution being written.

The awards for Queen of Email/Keeping the US/Brazilian Postal Services in Business Award and Skit Writer of the Year Award go to Alisa Hicken who hasn’t missed a Monday email in over a year.  Packages and multiple postcards have also been known to frequently make the trip to Brazil with her assistance.  She also is a glutton for punishment and offered (of her own free will and choice in one of her less sane moments) to write the Skit for Girls Camp in the midst of packing up a house for a year and having home rental showings.  Thanks Studio C Shoulder Angel for the inspiration!

The Called to Serve Award goes to Sister Camille Hicken currently serving in the Brazil Recife Mission.  She is serving in her third and probably last area as she will be returning home March 3^rd.  She has LOVED all her companions and loves the people of Brazil.  She has loved seeing people change their lives and come to the Savior.  During her service in Brazil she was also awarded The Tomato Award for Most Awesome Farmer Tan Sunburn when she forgot to wear sunscreen one rainy, overcast day.  She made farmers everywhere proud.

The Freshman of the Year Award goes to Bethany Hicken who wrapped up her freshman year at BYU in April with amazing grades and kept her scholarship.  Way to Be, Bethany!  She spent May and June at home in Michigan and then returned to BYU for summer term when her family left for Thailand.  She got a job on campus that made it possible for her to win her second award of the year for Best Janitor Who Doesn’t Have to Clean a Bathroom.  She works at the Monte L. Bean Life Sciences Museum as an evening shift janitor and gets to put the Bean Museum to bed every weeknight. 

The Piano Man Award goes to Nathan Hicken who has now taken piano lessons longer than any of his siblings.  He even requested piano music for his birthday rather than computer games and now sits down to play for fun.  Nathan also wins the Seminary Student of the Year Award as he does homeschool seminary from Michigan where he conference calls in every Friday afternoon and then also attends the local seminary class every Sunday afternoon.  In an amazing Triple Play, Nathan also won the Chocoholic Award this year.  He managed to overtake the reigning Queen of Chocolate (his mother) when he requested a tub of chocolate frosting for his birthday.

The Top Chef Award goes to Laura Hicken for her numerous outstanding dishes including homemade pizza, rolls, homemade lemon meringue pie, homemade eclairs, chocolate ice cream cake from scratch, chocolate birthday cake from scratch, and countless pans of brownies and muffins.  Laura also wins the Baby Whisperer Award.  Laura loves babies and little children and was almost as sad to leave the babies in her Chelsea Ward as she was to leave her friends.  She even managed to find herself a baby that she adores taking care of here in Bangkok too.

The Totally Non-FAQ Award goes to Emma Hicken for asking questions that no one would ever think to ask.  Some recent examples: “What is the weirdest thing you have ever drunk?”, “What is the weirdest thing you have ever put on your skin?”, and “Would you rather have a gallon of peanuts or a gallon of grapefruit juice?”  Emma also won the HTV (Hicken TV) Video Rising Star Award for her many appearances in music videos and iMovie trailers.  This girl is going places with her starring take on, “Let It Go” and all the other songs from Frozen done live, with Barbies and even Polly Pockets.  She’s one to keep an eye on!

Rachel Hicken has been awarded The Little Mermaid Award for her love of the water.  There’s hardly a day that goes by without her asking someone to go down to the pool with her.  She would live in her swimsuit if she could.  Rachel also wins the Early Bird Award.  She is the first one up practically ever single day, beating everyone else by an hour sometimes.  And on exciting days or holidays, she’s up and ready to go even earlier.  She also wins the WalMart Door Greeter Award for her ability to say hello and strike up a conversation with anyone.  She is one of the friendliest girls I know.

Some other Technical Awards were also handed out this year:  Best Mall Award goes to Terminal 21 Mall in Bangkok for its international city themed floors.  The Double Take Award (Also known as the Say What?? Award) goes to Squid on a Stick sold as a delicacy here in Bangkok with Squatty Potties and Hot Chili Squid Flavor Potato Chips winning honorable mention.  Anna Kennington wins the Virtual Piano Teacher of the Year Award.  Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha wins the Bangkok Must See Award with Art in Paradise, Benjakiti Park, and the Golden Mount winning honorable mention.  The I Miss You the Most and Can’t Wait to See You Again Award ended in a Three-Way Tie to Family, Friends, and Our Own House with honorable mention going to: our big white van, snow, mail in the mailbox, American hot dogs, Cool Whip, Christmas decorations, real grass, clean air, seasons, costume box, Chelsea library, bikes, and JoAnn’s craft store.

Thanks to all our nominees and winners.  It’s been an exciting year.  We look forward to what the new year will bring and a new crop of nominees and maybe even some new awards!

On a personal note, we here at the HOWDYS award committee want to express our gratitude for all the blessings we’ve received throughout the year.  We are so grateful for this wonderful time of the year when we remember the greatest gift ever given, the birth of the Savior.  May you have wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With Love,

Allen, Alisa, Camille, Bethany, Nathan, Laura, Emma, and Rachel Hicken

Pictures that were on our family Christmas card, plus a few bonus pics...because there's always room online.

June 2014 at Timbertown Park

Sister Piza, Sister Camille Hicken, and Sister Damian in Ouro Preto, Brazil, November 2014

Sister Kohtz, and Sister Camille Hicken at transfers in May 2014

Sister Camille Hicken and Sister Morales, December 2014

Bethany and Rachel at the National Zoo in Washington DC, January 2014

Bethany at the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington DC, January 2014

Nathan at the Snake Farm in Bangkok, September 2014

Laura at Wat Phra Keow in August 2014

Emma at Wat Phra Keow in August 2014

Rachel at Wat Phra Keow in August 2014

The Mall in Washington DC in January 2014

Washington DC, January 2014

Wat Phra Keow in August 2014

Snake Farm in Bangkok, September 2014

Asok Ward LDS Chapel, Bangkok, July 2014

Wat Phra Keow, August 2014

A Trip to the Manila Philippines LDS Temple

Report of Our Trip to the Manila Philippines Temple

Thursday to Saturday, October 16-18, 2014

Alisa, Laura, and Nathan

Thursday morning we headed to the airport for our trip to Manila, Philippines with our Bangkok ward to the temple there in Manila.  There were about 10 of us on the same flight to Manila.  Check-in lines were long and even though we’d gotten to the airport 2 ½ hours early, we barely made it to the gate before boarding.  Since it was lunchtime by the time we were through security and I’m used to U.S. Delta flights where anything under 4 hours means you just get peanuts and water, we grabbed burgers at Burger King (me and Nate), and a pretzel at Auntie Anne’s (Laura).  When we got to the gate we had 5 minutes to eat and then they started loading the plane.  We inhaled the food, and hurried on the plane.  It was one of the most cramped airplanes I’ve ever flown on, but at least Nathan and Laura and I were our own row.  That suited the kids just fine.  To our surprise they served a full lunch service after about half an hour in the air.  So while Philippine Airlines had a more cramped plane, their service was better.  The kids were too full to eat anything, but they did agree to the ice cream cup that came around after lunch.  It was a smooth, uneventful flight and we landed right on time in Manila at 6 p.m. local time.  It was already dark by the time we got out of the airport where we were met by two members of our ward who had come earlier in the week.  They had arranged for a chartered bus and for Jollibee hamburgers and drinks for everyone to eat on the bus.  It was so nice to see friendly faces and to be shepherded around and not have to worry about transportation after all the airport hassle and traveling.  (Even when travel goes well it’s just exhausting.) It took us a slow hour stuck in traffic to get to the temple housing.  By the time we finally checked in it was about 8:30.  Our family got assigned to their own room which we were very grateful for.  Our room had 4 bunkbeds in it, so with just 3 people we had plenty of room to spread out.  We got a fitted sheet and a pillowcase for each person, but no top sheet or blanket. It was too hot to not have the air conditioning on, so we all used our towels to help us stay warm and slept in our pants and sweaters and socks.  I’m sure we were a funny sight. 

            We met the rest of the ward for breakfast the next morning at 7:30 in the little cafeteria of the temple housing.  It was rice and meat for breakfast.  Then the kids went back to the room because they were scheduled to do their first session of baptisms at 1 p.m.  I headed over to the temple across the street from the housing at 8:15 to get my family names that my mom had prepared for me all submitted to the temple and turned into pink and blue cards.  The bishop found out that there was a baptismal session at 8 a.m. that our four youth could join if they hurried, so I offered to run back and get the kids.  I ran back across the street (which actually means taking the underground tunnel across the street) and knocked on my kids’ door and the other family’s door with the other 2 youth. I told kids to hurry and get dressed in Sunday clothing so they could do a baptismal session right then.  In 5 minutes they were ready and we headed back to the temple.  The bishop went with them to do baptisms, so I left the kids with the bishop and hustled to go rent my temple clothes and get dressed.  Turns out you rent your clothes in a little building right next door to the temple called The Annex.  But you don’t actually get your clothes there, you just pay there and bring your receipt back to the temple.  I got in the Annex and there was a long line waiting to rent clothes.  I despaired of making the 9 a.m. session at this point.  But just then, the bishop’s wife came out of the payment office and she had paid for temple clothing rental for all the adults on the trip.  So she handed me a receipt and I hustled back to the temple and picked up my clothes.  I hurried into the locker room and changed and ended up being the last person in the session.  Once I finally stopped sweating and settled down from all the running around I was able to enjoy the session. 

            When I got done I headed back to housing and found Laura and Nathan all done.  They were still in their Sunday clothes because I’d told them I wanted to take pictures at the temple.  So we went out and took pictures and then headed over to the distribution center back on the housing side of the street.  It was so nice to have access to church materials.  We enjoyed wandering around the small distribution center and ended up getting a few things and headed back to our room.  By this time it was noon and lunchtime, so we went down to the cafeteria and our lunch was waiting for us.

            For fun, the bishop organized a trip to a mall for the youth after lunch.  I agreed to take them since 2 of the youth were mine. Laura stayed back at the housing with a stomach ache, so I had Nathan and 2 other teenagers with me.  The bishop had sent along with me $5 for each of the kids to spend.  They ended up getting snacks at a grocery store in the mall and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Thanks Bishop Berry!! (Especially for the doughnuts…)

Once we got back, we relaxed a little before dinner and then got dressed in Sunday clothes again and went to dinner.  Laura wasn’t up to eating anything for dinner, but the rest of us had a good meal.  I ran over to a little grocery store next door right after dinner to get some fresh fruit for Laura—the only thing she felt like eating.  Then we all went back to the temple as a ward.  The youth went and did a baptismal session again and all the adults went to an endowment session together.  That was really neat.  It’s so cool to look around the room and see friendly ward family faces.  After the session we went back to the housing and just relaxed in our room.  The kids and I played computer games and read till bedtime. We slept much better on Friday night. 

            Saturday morning I got up at 6:15 a.m. and got cleaned up and dressed and then headed over to the temple to try and catch a 7 a.m. session.  When I got into the temple at 6:40 a.m. there was already a long line waiting to check in at the desk.  I didn’t make it in to the 7 a.m. session, but was able to get a spot in the 7:30 session.  I got changed and then waited in the endowment room for 40 minutes till the session started. It was really neat to do 3 sessions so close together.  I’ve never done that before.  It was just great to spend so much time in the temple.  And I’m so glad I was able to bring a few family names with me too.  Thanks Mom for getting those ready for me!!  I got out of the session, got all my finished name cards picked up, and hustled back to the temple housing.  My kiddoes had just gotten up.  They hadn’t packed or eaten breakfast or brushed teeth.  So we hurriedly packed up, pulled our sheets from the beds and got our luggage downstairs.  Nathan and I made one last quick run to the distribution center for a Primary songbook.  The center was JAMMED!  We had to wait in another long line to check out.  We got back to the bus just as they were breaking up from taking a picture.  We hopped on the bus and got on the road back to the airport.

            The lines at the Manila airport were so short and easy.  The only hold up we experienced was forgetting about the exit fee…which they call an airport fee.  They don’t charge you when you arrive at the airport, but they charge it when you’re leaving.  Thankfully I was able to put it on my credit card because I didn’t have enough Philippine pesos left to pay it for 3 people.  Our plane was delayed leaving Manila by about an hour, but the rest of the flight was smooth and uneventful.  We landed in Bangkok just after 5 p.m. and then a small group of us rode the airport train back into the city.  It was a 15 minute walk from there to home lugging our suitcases behind us.  When we got home Allen and the girls were in the pool.  We were hot and sweaty from our walk home so we got in our suits too and took a half hour float around the pool while we reported on our trip.

            I have never had the opportunity to take a trip dedicated solely to temple work before.  It was a wonderful experience.  It was all about serving in the temple and nothing else.  I liked that.  I was so impressed with how full the temple in Manila was…for every session.  I’ve taken my Detroit temple that is only an hour away too much for granted.  And I’m so glad that Nathan and Laura got to come and serve as well.  It was a great experience.

 

A view of the temple from across the street where the distribution center is.

On the Manila temple grounds.

Mom and Daughter shot

And Mom and Son shot