Big Gender Reveal

On Saturday night (8.7.10), Brian and I hosted an appetizer party at Red Robin in Tacoma to announce the gender of our baby due mid December. These pics are only those from my camera, I'm sure others got more :) Thanks to our kids, my parents, Angela and Bryan, Kris, Jennifer and Cameron, Deon, and Jaime, John and Coby for sharing this special time with us!

Here is Nate with my parents. Nope, they were just as surprized as everyone else.

We ordered a cake with either a pink or blue center for the big reveal.

I cut into it and pulled it up. Jaime and Angela were right, IT'S A GIRL!!!
We almost blew the big surprise though. Brian made a slide show of the ultrasound pics, some of which said the gender. Luckily we caught these before they were passed around.

Lauren was trigger happy with the camera. Love this one of Jaime who looks thrilled to get a tab.

Spooky, my sister's bf Cameron when to high school with our server Kyle.

Got the thumbs up approval from Jennifer

Here is Riley and I (with Daddy in the background) that Lauren took. She's been into taking pictures of everything. I took one back and got this great picture of Riley and Lauren.


A very memorable evening!

FB: Last Cub Pinewood Derby

Due to sheer laziness coupled with a dash of morning sickness, I've been laxing on the blogs from Jan-June this year. So here is my 1st catch-up for 2010.

RILEY'S LAST CUB SCOUT PINEWOOD DERBY - January 2010

Sadly, we've come to the end of an era. Riley bridged to Boy Scouts in February.
In late January we attended Pack 42's annual Pinewood Derby.
Here is a pick of the kid's three cars. Nate's the fishing one, Riley the slick racer with a stripe, and Lauren tower, custom painted by her. Funny thing about Nate's this years new track had a top and his fisherman almost got decapitated. It just feel off, but he had a good sense of humor about it.


Here's Riley and the beginning of the track holding his car, waiting for it to be placed. He loved his super slick race car. This year the went very well, the kids were into it but not competitive.


Here is a video of Riley's 2nd or 3rd race in his Den.


Though Lauren and Nate were only racing for fun, Riley placed first place in his Webelos Raven's Den for the first time. He even got a trophy (the Pack's first time for those).

The three kids at the finish line with their cars, I'm proud of my little racers!

Fireworks & the 4th

Ours plans for this fourth were iffy due to Donna's 'morning' sickness. But it subsided in time for us to have a great 4th at the annual reunion in Puyallup!

First we visited the best of the best, Black Cat fireworks, and loaded up on all the goodies.

This was Lauren's first year of lighting, she comes from a long line of pyros! Her favorite was smoke bombs (as they were silent).

The annual volley ball tournament was bigger and better than ever. Here is Nate with Derrick (age 14) playing soccer during a break.



Aunt Pat/Uncle Tom's house in Puyallup was hoping! At one time I counted 64 people! Plenty of cousins, friends and other relatives to visit with. With so many people lighting, safety has to come first, here is the official launch pad. Later on of the tubes holding a mortar failed and it launched crooked. Scary, but no one was hurt. They don't make them like they used to. Lesson: don't cross or over-use tubes.


We all had a great time, here are the kids with their annual sparklers. Lauren remembered the ear muffs Tom lent to her last year and insisted on them again, though for the first time, she was into it! Loved that we were all happy and healthy this 4th!

epiphanie bags

Entered the contest for epiphanie bags, motivated by that air fare GC!

Happy New Year, Merry Xmas and all that...

Okay, I know I am WAY behind!
But here is my holiday letter plus links to photos and videos.

Love, Donna

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope you had a wonderful year, are enjoying the season and a Merry Christmas!
Our 2009 was quite a ride that left us thankful for each blessing and excited for what 2010 will bring.

Our family took pleasure in some small, annual local outings like the Puyallup Fairs and Daffodil Parades. Relishing all Cub Scout outings as Riley will bridge to Boy Scouts come 2/10, bringing an end to 7+ years of family traditions. We visited overnight at the Family Fun Center in Tukwila. It’s amazing how just a weekend away can rejuvenate the spirit!

Brian continues as the Webmaster for Mt. Cross and recently begun to read and write more. Boeing downgraded him midyear to a janitorial job. He recently was offered, and accepted, the job of Inspector of the 787’s. He adores this new position even though he’s working 10 hours a day, 28 days a month and has to commute to Everett each day. So a move up north somewhere is very much in our future!

Donna’s renewed her creatively, making birthday cakes, pillows/drapes and Star Wars costumes. She began a blog and resumed fictional writing. Her love of kids & crafts is explored in the mom’s group, Riley’s Den and co-teaching Sunday School. She reads fiercely, belonging to two book clubs. Her and the boys were treated to Star Wars in Concert and support the Sounders FC, attending 2 games. She’ll be finding employment next year.

Nate, now 15, is in pre-manhood. Now a 5’9” taller-than-Mom size, his voice is deep, he had to start shaving, and he’s even began dating! He went from Gray Middle to 9th grade at Mount Tahoma. His 3rd year with Avanti was great, they almost made state, and he’ll tryout for Tahoma’s soccer team in spring. He’s very serious about it and his health, refusing to eat fast food! Now in his second year with Troop 248, he’s now a Star rank and hopes to have his Eagle by the end of next year so he can begin working. He wants to go into game programming.

Riley, age 10, has come a long way. He’s off meds and sleeping better. He’s learning new skills and still loves science and facts, wanting to be a chemist when he grows up. He’s a 2nd year Webelos in his Raven Den, Pack 42. They visited the WA capital in Olympia, and got the meet Governor Greigiore. His 2nd year on the U.P.S.C Wizzards U-11 team went well, only 2 points away from playing for state. Now in 5th grade, he enjoys the Chess club and looks forward to playing an instrument next year and starting gymnastics at the YMCA.

Lauren’s gone from toddler to preschooler. She turned 4 with a gymnastics party at the YMCA. She also played on her first sports team, the Green Snakes soccer team at the YMCA and had the best coach. They called her the “Guiding Light”, though not the fasted, you knew where the ball was by were you was headed. She started school at Narrows Co-Op in University Place and the Sunday School program at Mt. Cross. She’s now officially left-handed and a talented drawer. Her favorite pass times are dress-up, drawing, cars, dolls and blocks.

We’ve been keeping busy this holiday season. Donna took Lauren to her first Ballet and we attended the Festival of Trees. With fresh design ideas in mind, we decided to make a red and white tree, which looks great! Riley got to sell with Nate at Troop 248’s 49th annual tree lot in preparation for being a Boy Scout! We saw the new Christmas Carol movie and plan enjoying our annual traditions of Zoo Lights and Fantasy Lights. Christmas day will be spent at our house, and the family’s having fun preparing.

We are always happy to hear from you so give us a call at 253-314-1739. Find Brian, Donna and Nathaniel on Facebook. Follow Brian’s blog at Simpledaddy.com or Donna’s at hinkleyfamily.blogspot.com
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a 2010 full of health and happiness.

God Bless!
~*~The Hinkley House~*~ Brian, Donna, Nathaniel, Riley & Lauren

We had technical problems creating photo CDs.
Instead, join our group room to view, download
& print all of our best pictures from 200, including
this Christmas!
http://HinkleyHouse09.snapfish.com/comcast2
You can view 21 videos from 2009, look up
http://www.youtube.com/user/Livelongwforce
Brian & Donna Hinkley

See our videos!

VIDEOS
Riley at the Daffodil Parade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz1VefUC384

Lauren Animal Sounds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeDELqcM-8c

Nate’s 15th B-dy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k871kV8yFvI

Lauren’s 4th B-day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=693EwIgARlk

Nate’s Confirmation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HmC18_VPJg

Riley sings Noel 12.20.09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmPzVHpaOHY

Exiting to Joy to the World 12.20.09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XADUEFa_UzI

Lauren SonRock Practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq58GsBNcyA

Nate’s First Corner Kick, Avanti United LSC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQzpvD2sQpQ

Nate’s Season Score!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S48tCqvAzA

Lauren’s Green Snakes Awards Ceremony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woRiHY4UytM

Lauren’s Caterpillar Crawl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mew0hqns70

We were there for the Sounders FC Inaugural game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCQ_wVBhciU

Lauren playing in a Green Snakes game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpL8TTqlVtA

Lauren sings the Peter Was a Fisherman Song at VBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCl54PcBnJE

Riley sings the How Great song at VBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79mrxv6sLyg

Lauren does Simon Says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Uw5kbkebU

Lauren’s Special Day at Preschool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0hWHFx43n8

Singing “Toxic” on Christmas Day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDxyy7M1uqU

Lauren rides her new 16” bike, Christmas Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDxMCCxA_Ic

Nephew Noah’s P.I. Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA45VMhvspk

Lauren turns 4!

Lauren turned 4 on the 2nd and to celebrate we had a party in the North Gym at the YMCA.

Lots of her (and mine) friends were able to make it. At first I thought that only my Mom would be able to attend out of my family, but due to many changes of circumstance, they were all there, Mom, Dad, Marleen, Noah, Aria and Jennifer. Even Jen's bo Cameron made a cameo at the end. BTW-thanks to all that helped (including Angel our host) set up and clean up in a whirl-wind of organized chaos, you made this party a success!

During the party, Lauren hoped around until she was red in the face.

The kids were having a ball allowing parents to have some great social time.

All the kids (and adults too, common, admit it!) love this big trampoline built into the floor.

This is the castle cake I made her.
She asked for it while in the store (saw the kit while shopping) and I thought 'why not, can't be too hard right'. Wow. What a learning experience I tell you. The whole thing was uncharted territory for me. Never made a lemon pound cake with jam&jello filling, made/used fondant, decorated plastic, put glitter on anything edible, decorated sprinkles or made a 2-tier cake. Lots of fun, everyone loved the taste and look and if that wasn't enough, the 8 hours of making was totally worth it when Lauren said on the way home..."Mommy, I loved my cake, thank you, you're the best mommy" Awww!!!

During present time, Lauren gave some of her friends hugs and others thanks. It was funny how near the end only the girls remained to watch her open presents while the boys went to play legos and more manly toys!

A great birthday and Lauren was thrilled!

Fabulous Photo Shoot

A few moms in my group were doing a fundraiser for Relay for Life. As part of it, Lauren participated in a photoshoot at Point Defiance park with photographer Susanne. It took a while for Lauren to warm up, but she started to have fun after I took some pics with her. Below are some of my favorite shots from this shoot. Thanks a million Susanne!