Henriksens

Mom and Dad hosted a "Henriksen" family party on the 7th of December.

Below are the groups by generation and the "leftovers"-

(those who married into the family)

This is the group of attendees that were non -Henriksens!

Cousin Donna's husband Steve on top, Luke's wife Amanda and Craig's girlfriend Tara on the next step, Mark's wife Donna and Rick's wife Happy next and finally, my Dad and Aunt Lynne's husband Don on the bottom.
The "third" generation.
Amanda, my daughter, granddaughter of Sandy, great granddaughter of Elmer Henriksen.
Craig, son of Candy Lee, grandson of Sandy, great grandson of Elmer Henriksen.
Allison and Alex, children of Donna, grandchildren of Sharon, great grandchildren of Melvin Henriksen.

The "second" generation.
Teddy, Candy and Micki, children of Sandy and grandchildren of Elmer.
Mark, son of Candy and grandson of Elmer.
Donna, daughter of Sharon and granddaughter of Melvin.

The "first" generation.
Shirley, daughter of Alice Henriksen.
Sandy and Lynne daughters of Elmer Henriksen.
Rick and Sharon, children of Melvin Henriksen.

Sweet Sixteen

In about 30 minutes .... it will be my "little Princess' " sixteenth birthday.

WOW ... seems like just yesterday that we were blessed with her.

Amanda will be taking her driver's test this week - hoping to become an official licensed driver in the state of WI.

In addition to driving - she is about to finish up the first semester of her Sophomore year in high school. She keeps busy with Student Council, French Club, Tennis, Soccer, school activities and hanging out with her friends. (no basketball this year)

She has always been on the honor roll at school so she also spends a lot of time studying and doing homework.

Once Amanda gets her license, she would like to get a part time job to earn a little gas and shopping mall money. With her experience working for her Dad's catering business since age 11 - she shouldn't have any trouble finding employment. She is an excellent worker and very responsible.

Happy Birthday Amanda!!!

Catching Up with Jake

Jake and Hannah are back from college. They're here in WI until January 12th.

This photo was taken this past fall - beautiful scenery in WVA.

Jake has now completed his first semester of college - and is going back to WVA for more. He has decided to change his major to criminal justice. Yes, he still has that dream of being a cop.

He has gone on about 5 ride a long trips with various officers in the area during his time off from school. This seems to be the career he really wants to pursue.

In addition to being a full time student, he continues to do online moderating for Sony and has applied with another company for a paid position doing the same thing.

During his breaks from school - back in WI - he works for Best Buy in the mobile phone department and swings into computers as needed. He also has put in some holiday hours working for his Dad in the family catering business.

Other than that, most of his time is spent with Hannah. They celebrated their 1 year "anniversary" this past November. Hannah will be joining him for a second semester at WVA starting in January.

Finally, despite his busy schedule -- he did recently find time to take his little sister over to the high school parking lot -- to instruct her in the fine art of doing "donuts" in the freshly fallen snow.

Yes, Bub ......I did hear all about this little adventure.

What's Up?

WOW !!! This is the longest I have gone without blogging since I started my site. Life has been busy-crazy. I am hoping to get caught up tonight because, as usual, I have fifty things to do today and no time to load photos.

Today I have to go watch "my kids" from school play basketball. It is so fun to see their little faces light up when their teacher walks in the gym to catch their game. They only have 3 games in their season. It's the 40 minute drive each way that is so time consuming.

Then I am dragging Jake to storage to retrieve our Christmas decorations and a few other things. Yes, no tree or decor for the season yet. On the "to do" list for today.

Right now I am downloading photos that I was hired to take for a family's Christmas card. Gotta burn a CD and drop it off this afternoon.

I could keep going here............but time to finish the photo shoot stuff and get going.

Back later.

One More Game

Sunday is the last game of the outdoor soccer season for this year.

It has been so cold - I can't wait.

I'm glad that she is putting those gloves that I bought her to good use. NOT!

Tripping? Apparently NOT! No whistle.

Indoor season is now in full swing, but Amanda has decided to only play occasionally.

A little break from sports for now.......

Bubble Bath

Coke had her first trip to the groomer for a bubble bath, nail trim and fur - cut!

Pretty Pup.

Halloween

Here is Amanda dressed up as a TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle).

This was for spirit week at school.

Halloween was different with Jacob being so far away this year.

First time in 20 years that I haven't had a child go Trick-or-Treating.

Amanda opted for attending a party on the 31st instead.

Somehow, I'm sure that Jacob and Hannah found a party (or two) on Halloween also.

This was a child's size medium costume. The biggest "Turtle" we could find.

I cut the legs off and she used them as leggings.

There is a big shell on her back and it also had a mask.

This is about as creative as I get.

Spring Street

The house on Spring Street. My grandparents purchased this home many many years ago. They raised their five daughters here and my Mom raised my sis, bro and I here also. I always dreamed of marrying the boy from next door, raising about 4 four kids and staying here forever.

This is what the home looks like now............

I actually met the current owners and was lucky enough to get a tour last summer.

Funny, how life doesn't always go as planned in childhood dreams.

Pumpkins and Coke

The last of the pumpkin pics.......and one more of Coke.

Coke - age 9 months.
Jacob's pumpkin is by the little boy, and Amanda's is by the little girl.
Yes, the little girl has arm issues......Coke knocked them over and snapped it off. I love the statue so much that I'm going to glue it back together. Just need time...........

Hope you like your pumpkin Jacob!

Saturday in the Park.....

Okay, it was really Sunday and we were at the local school, not the park. I just happen to like the song so it had to be the title for this entry.

Amanda tosses a tennis ball and Rocky takes off!

Sadie wasn't too interested in a game of "fetch". She just napped in the shade.

That is Amanda's set of wheels in the background. Thanks, Nana!

We were "doggie-sitting" Steph's dogs for a couple of hours and you can see that there is just a bit of rivalry between Coke and Rocky.

Sadie heads off to the car....while the other two have just begun to play.

Again! Kick the ball, Again!
Rocky always got there first.
A little 2 vs. 1 soccer against Amanda.
Back to the tennis ball.

We need some water !
Cokie learning from the pro.
Time out to text................
Back to business and soccer ball handling skills.

Pumpkins

Amanda and I were out for a Sunday drive today - she's practicing for her big test in December- and we decided to stop and pick out a pumpkin at a local farm.

Choosing a pumpkin and memories of pumpkin patch photos from many years gone by......

Amanda was 10 months old on her very first visit to a pumpkin farm.

Here she is almost 16 years old.

Looking for a pumpkin for Bub.

A new friend?

We bought two pumpkins today- one for Bub and one for Amanda. Even though Jake will not be home for Halloween this year, I still wanted to put a pumpkin on the porch for him.

More Soccer

Tournament weekend - again.

This was Amanda and Nina after the second game yesterday. They played 2 games Saturday and one Sunday before they were out of the brackets for the championship.

Up with the sun....driving to the tournament. Amanda scored the lone goal in the game today.
WOW !!! What a beautiful weekend. The weather has been warm and sunny all weekend.

I'm enjoying every minute of it as I watch the leaves turn color and fall off the trees.

Winter is on the way......

Homecoming '08 - the Dance

Photos from Homecoming '08...

Amanda and friend, Ross More friends...
And still more friends...

with Kendall
Kelli and Nina
Amanda with her date ...Michael.
Another one with Michael.

The WHOLE gang!
Leslie on the left.
The girls. WOW .... the length of their dresses are sure different.

Homecoming '08 - the Parade

Here are a few photos from the parade last night.......

Amanda and Hillary in front of the Sophomore float.
Tossing candy to the kids along the parade route.
Kyle - my friend Bonnie's son was on the court this year....and that's Jordan, Amanda's Homecoming date from last year in the passenger seat.
Ya gotta love Fricker!!!!

And I believe that's Jake's favorite Math teacher back there!

Breeden Wedding

As promised.....a couple of photos from the wedding 2 weeks ago. The mother of the bride is a friend and former teacher for both of my kids.

The groom is 6'5" and the bride 4'9" - very challenging to photograph.

This was my favorite group shot !
The last wedding of the summer for me to photograph...

Note to Jake: post these on Breeden's facebook :)