Happy 5th Birthday Tiffany!!

Tiffany Renae Bickford, aka Baby Cakes, aka baby bug, aka cocco, aka Tiffers was born on February 21 2004. She weighed 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. That was one of the happiest days of my life. Tiffany has brought so much joy into our lives. We feel so lucky to be her parents. She has such a sweet spirit about her. She is so caring and has such a charitable heart. She is friends with everyone. She always has nice things to say about others. Her preschool teacher Miss Pam tells me that Tiffany is the peacemaker in the class and the problem solver. Everyone she meets just instantly falls in love with her. She loves to dance, her most favorite form of dancing is ballet. She is always dancing. Her mantra is why walk through life when you can dance. She was in soccer last season and just loved it. She is now in T-Ball and had her first game on her birthday. She had so much fun. She is in preschool right now and loves it. She will be starting school in September. She is getting so big and growing up so fast. We love you baby bug. You make us so happy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Slumber Party at G&G Chambers House

A couple of weeks ago Tiffany and 3 of her cousins (Mia, Tyler, and Josh) got to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Tiff had so much fun. She loves spending time with her cousins. They got to have pizza and soda for dinner. Then it was popcorn and candy while watching movies. They all got to sleep in their sleeping bags in the family room. The next morning it was off to get donuts and orange juice for breakfast. Tiffany loves donuts. She loves everything sweet. She loves getting to spend time with G and G Chambers and her cousins. Tyler is 10 and Josh is 8, and I think they are so nice to put up with Tiff hanging all over them. She loves her older cousins. Mia is going to 4 in April so Tiff and her are the best of friends. They love playing together. They really like playing "going to Utah." I am so glad to have family living so close so Tiffany can do these type of fun things with her grandparents and cousins.

Kids Are so Innocent....

I was talking to Tiffany on Saturday night about policemen, and how they help us and are our friends. I told her that if you ever need help you can get help from a policeman. That started us talking about what to do with strangers. Jeff and I have been starting to talk to her about strangers, and to never to talk to them. This is the conservation I had with her.
Me: What if you are outside at Grandma's house, and a stranger comes up and says Hi little girl I have some candy for you. What should you say?
Tiffany: (with a big smile on her face) Thanks.
Me: ( I try not to laugh) Yes you would normally say thanks to someone who gives you something, but in this case you need to say no and run away. You never talk to strangers. You can only talk to people when mommy and daddy are around. Do you understand this?
Tiffany: yes
I am so thankful that she knows to say thanks when someone gives her something, but I had to try and explain when to say thanks, and when you don't. I love little kids. They are so innocent and trusting. I hate that we have to teach them about strangers, but this is the reality of our life on earth. I am just so glad that I have the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us. It makes things a little bit eaiser.

Jeff is The New Santana High Girls Varsity Basketball Coach!!

Yesterday Jeff got a call from Santana High School, and was asked if he would like to take over being the head coach for the girls varsity basketball team. Jeff was so excited about being asked to do this. He has wanted to become a varsity head coach for some time now. He loves coaching and he is very good at it. This is his opportunity to show how much he loves the game of basketball. He is excited to teach and influence the girls for good. He hopes that what he teaches the girls about basketball will help them in every other aspect of their lives. He wants to be a good role model for them, and teach them to love basketball as much as he does. He is a little bit nervous, but I know he will do awesome. He will have at least two people in the stands cheering him on, me and Tiffany. His first game will be this Friday Jan 30th against El Capitan. We are praying for a win. If all things go well, he will be returning next season as the head coach for Santana. We are so proud of him and love him so much!! GO LADY SULTANS!!

Below is a little bit of an article from http://www.eastcountysports.com/ about Jeff taking over as head coach.

This was a one-game stint for Vickery as JEFF BICKFORD, an assistant for Santana boys coach TIM BARRY, will take over the Sultans girls in time for Friday’s (Jan. 30) GNL game at El Capitan.
“I think Jeff has been attending the girls’ practices quite a bit,” said Vickery, noting that Bickford will be directing practices on Wednesday and Thursday. “He knows them, and they know him.”
Bickford becomes Santana’s third coach this season – that has to be some kind of record.
“This is a good chance for Jeff to make a good impression,” Vickery said. “I know he’s excited about it. He’s got the right attitude and appreciates the opportunity to be a part of this program. More than that, though, is he has the drive that I used to have.”
Santana senior JAMIE ELIAS led Vickery’s final victory parade with 12 points and 6 steals.
“I know coach Bickford a little bit – he’s a nice guy,” Elias said. “I don’t really know what to expect, but I guess we’ll see.”

Happy New Year

New Year's 2008 was spent at Sea World. We decided to go to Sea World for the day. We had so much fun. We some shows, went on some rides, and ate some good food. Tiffany is enjoying Sea World more and more each time we go. It is just so much fun to spend the day together as a family.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas day was a wonderful day for our family. We really enjoyed the time we spent together as a family. Tiffany didn't get up until 8:00 (yeah). So we got to sleep in a little bit. Nana spent the night with us so we all got up to open up presents. Tiffany was so excited because she got a new bike from Santa. There was also a little surprise for her. Santa wrote a little letter back to her. She was so excited to hear what Santa had to say to her. Then it was on to a breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and cinnamon rolls. Later on that day it was off to my parents house for some more presents. We sure had a great day, and we hope your Christmas was wonderful as well. Another Christmas season over.

Christmas Eve

I love Christmas time. I love the music, the lights, the excitement, the time for family and friends. I love giving gifts. I think it is so much fun to go shopping for other people. Christmas Eve was so fun this year. My family came over, and we sang Christmas Carols, my dad read the story of Jesus birth from the bible, and we talked. Tiffany got to open up one present which of course was her new pair of Christmas pj's. She gets a new pair every year. She also decided to leave a note for Santa by his plate of cookies, milk, and of course carrots for the reindeer. Then it was off to bed. It took a little bit of time before she fell asleep. Jeff went in and told Tiffany that Santa Clause was in San Diego and he would be here in about 15 minutes. Then I hear sobbing coming from her room. So I go in there, and in between tears she says "I can't be asleep in 15 minutes, is Santa going to skip our house?" I tell her no he won't because she has been a very good girl this year. I then turn her music on and she is asleep within minutes. Finally all is calm in the Bickford house for the night....