Merry Christmas

to all our friends and family

The Bickfords New Van

The Bickford Clan's First family picture

Welcome to the Family

Hailey Elizabeth Hovancik

Fall is Here!

The girls and I built our scarecrows, we had balloon heads to begin with, but all our heads popped. So we replaced our heads with pumpkins.

Sammi was determined to get in this picnic basket, to say the least she was mad when she couldn't. Though it did take her 30 min. to decide it was too small

The girls got this truck from the neighbors. It doesn't work but it has become one of Sammi's favorite place to wait for her sister to come home from school

Joke of the Day.

Enjoy!!!

Beth and Sammy waiting for the School Bus

Beth getting on the Bus. No tears just smiles.
Beth standing in her school on the screening day (testing day).

One of Beth's favorite reason for school. The playhouse, she has always begged us for one, she is glad to finally get to play in one.

Today Sept. 6, 2006, one of the people that I loved very much went home to be with Jesus, Joyce Marshall. My heart is very sad to have to live down here without out her, but I am glad that our goodbye is not forever. Mom Marshall never in all the time that I knew her ever gave any cause for of wondering where she would go in her time of death. She lived the Christian life and anyone who had contact with her knew it. I just wanted to share some pictures of her that I had.

This picture was on my wedding day when my Mom said that a few wrinkles were fine, I asked someone to go get Joyce, that I needed her help. She came and found an iron and made sure my dress looked beautiful, laughing the whole time. I was so glad that the photographer got this picture.








This is the surprise 40th birthday party for Earl. Joyce helped me plan it and to trick Earl to come out, by inviting us to a dinner that night. Earl never expected a thing. We got him good.


This picture was taken when my friend Naomi came for a visit. Dad Chip built the beautiful cabinet that is behind us.




Ps. 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest in their labours: and their works do follow them.

I was looking through my pictures today and decided to post some of my favorites of my family.

These are the first time of holding Beth and Sammie. I can't believe that it has been almost 5 years for Beth and 16 months for Sammie.

This is a picture of Earl in one of the caves at Mammoth cave. They called this the "Fat Man Squeeze". We brought our coats with us when we went on this hike underground. Earl sweated so bad that a couple of people asked him if he had heart problems. Bethany slept the whole way and her snores echoed of the cave walls, she was only 2 years old. Have you ever carried a 25lb dead weight. Wow, I don't recomend it.

Here are the girls on their last visit to Lake Placid for Beka and Bill's wedding. Beth wanted to stay and not come home. "Mommy we can live with Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Chip and clean their house. OK." I gently reminded her that we needed to go home to our house but that we would come back and visit. She seemed satsified until we were driving out the driveway.

This is a homegrown, comfy bed, Grandpa Chip's belly. As I remember I had trouble that night getting Sammie to sleep after having such a good nap with Grandpa Chip.

Hello from Ohio.
Right now our girls are Bethany 4 and Samantha 15 mths. Sammie started walking on Aug 1st and keeps her family hopping. Bethany is getting ready for Head Start and is very excitied about riding the school bus.
Earl is busy at Pizza Hut and I am working part time at a deli and auction house.
We attend the Rutland Nazarene church and love the people. On Sept 2 the church is having a hog roast and picnic. Can't wait.
This is the first time using a blog so hope you enjoy.


Bethany enjoyed going to 5 VBS this summer. I am a little burned out but pleased that she wants to go. On the 5th one I was in the middle of telling her that 4 was enough when she looked up at me and said "But Mommy I just want to learn about Jesus", tell me how do you say no to that.