Merry Christmas 2012

December 2012

As usual, I have waited until the last moments of the year to begin writing our year-in-review letter, as if I’m waiting to see if anything else remarkable might happen and earn a place in our reflection.  (Actually, I’m just procrastinating.)  Our year has been so action-packed that I can only share a smattering of the many stories that have filled our lives with joy, wonder, and sheer exhaustion. 

January 2012

Nate (15) made the Kimball High School freshman baseball team. He mostly played short stop. He is a great player but, I had more than one parent tell me what a nice kid and good sport he is. That sure makes a mom proud.

February 2012

Dylan (10) participated in his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. He designed and built the car almost by himself. It looked totally cool. Unfortunately, it didn’t win a single race. He had a pretty good attitude about it but vows that he will win at least one race this year.

March 2012

Kaylene (18) was the lead co-choreographer for the Kimball Jaguar Theatre production of Oklahoma. She also had to fill in in some of the dances. She did a twirly flip thing that I had to hold my breath every time she did it. She did phenomenal job. The show was almost sold out for its entire run.

After the super snowboard season last year, it took all the way until March to get good enough snow that Josh and the boys could get some use out of their passes.

April 2012

Kyle (12) and Josh made a trip to Utah for his first Priesthood session of General Conference and take in a Jazz game. I love this tradition that Josh can take our boys for this special event after they turn 12.

20+ years ago Josh served a mission in New York. He was part of the conversion of some wonderful people, the Miecielica’s, who Miecielica’s came for a visit to our house! We had a wonderful time catching up and going to Yosemite.

May 2012

I am the coolest mom ever! I let Kaylene and Kyle skip school to go and sit through a marathon of all 5 of the super hero movies leading of up to the midnight premier of the Avengers.

June 2012

In October of last year Nate passed out at church. It was a freak thing. We took him for x-rays and they determined his nose wasn’t broken. Fast forward 6 months to April he still wasn’t able to breathe correctly through his nose. We took him to an ENT specialist who took one look up his nose and promptly scheduled a surgery since Nate had crushed the cartilage like an accordion. The surgery which took place in June was a full nose job. Nathan was hoping to look like Hugh Jackman but, came out looking like a prize fighter that took a beating!

All in the same week Kaylene and Nate went to EFY (Especially for Youth) at the Univ. of Utah with their friends Jasmine and Jayden, Kyle went to Boy Scout Camp, and Dylan, Logan, and I went to Cub Scout day camp.  It was a crazy busy week!

July 2012

We made the trip to Idaho for a family reunion of sorts. All of Josh’s siblings were in town so we all went and stayed in a beautiful home near the City of Rocks in Oakley, ID. Logan (7) and Kyle took to the rock climbing and we enjoyed swimming, eating and playing with all the cousins. Kaylene also made her first visit to BYU-Idaho while we were there and took a tour. She loved it (me, too!). It is a beautiful campus and she is planning on attending there someday.

My brother Rion and his family came to Southern California to visit relatives so we, minus Josh and Kaylene, loaded up and made a quick trip south to meet them at Disneyland for a day.  Josh claims this was the best trip to Disneyland ever.

This was Kaylene’s last year (6^th) at YW camp and my 5^th. It was an adventure, like always.

August 2012

With the beginning of the 2012-13 school year Kaylene is a now senior, Nate is a sophomore, Kyle is in 7^th grade, Dylan is in 5^th grade and Logan is in 2^nd grade.

September 2012

Whoa! I turned 39.  Just one year until 40!  I’ve decided to stop right here.

Josh, Nate and Kyle made the trip to Monterrey to see Matt the Electrician (my sister’s husband’s brotherJ) perform at the Golden State Theater and enjoy some skim boarding at the beach.

October 2012

Look out world! Nate got his learner’s permit. He is 6 months and 50 practice hours away from taking the driving test for his license.

General Conference this time brought some very exciting news! The age for missionaries was lowered from 19 to 18 years old for boys and from 21 to 19 years old for girls. This will have the biggest effect on Kaylene who is now planning on a mission just one year from now!

November 2012

Kaylene was the lead co-choreographer for the Kimball Jaguar Theatre production of Grease. Once again she did a fabulous job. As usual, I was in charge of the costumes. We made over 200 costumes and headpieces!

One is allowed to feel old when their baby turns 18. Kaylene is now an adult with her own amateur photography business (she took the Christmas kids Christmas pictures).

Thanksgiving brought a round of the flu for everyone, a visit from my sister, and a trip to the mountains to visit our Quincy relatives. It was very eventful week.

December 2012

Josh and I celebrate our 20^th wedding anniversary this month. We made a trip sans children to see the Lion King in San Francisco and stay at a nice hotel in the city. We have been very blessed in our life together and are very grateful that families can be together forever.

We want to thank you for your friendship and the unique role you have played in the life our family. Our prayer is that this Christmas and throughout the New Year you will experience the power, peace, and joy of knowing the Savior and have opportunity to multiply the experience of that hope by sharing it with others.

With Love,

Josh, Kenna, Kaylene, Nate, Kyle, Dylan and Logan Hendricks

Merry Christmas 2011

December 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our loved ones, both near and far!  I am so sorry that this is coming so late. We have been incredibly busy with all our normal activities. I thought the best way to catch up would be to give you our year in review and you’ll see how busy we have been!

January 2011

Kaylene (17) had 8 wisdom teeth removed…No, this is not normal. The dentist thought it was one for the textbooks. Most people only have 4 or less. Apparently, it is hereditary, but Josh and I only had 4 each.

February 2011

Kyle (11) played on the Tracy Youth Hoops 5^th/6^th grade league champion Bluejays.  They were undefeated. But, this year he is the tallest on his team. At only 5 feet, he has his work cut out for him.

March 2011

Kaylene played the role of Lumiere in the Kimball Jaguar Theatre production of Beauty and the Beast.  She had to do all six shows because the other Lumiere got sick. She really stole the show…and I was in charge of costumes, again. Aunt Whitney came out to see the show and I got to spend time with my wonderful baby sister.

April 2011

Josh made a spur of the moment trip home to Idaho to surprise his family while his sister Kristin was in town from the east coast. He spent the week without us but, got in a trip to the mountains to go snowboarding. Not a bad way to turn 40!

Kyle went on his first Boy Scout camping trip to the 11 year-old camp at McHenry. Luckily, the place was not infested with black widow spiders like the time we went when he was in Cub Scouts.

May 2011

Not to be outdone, I made a trip to Arkansas to surprise my parents while my sister Whitney and her husband Rich were in town.  I got to see all my siblings in one year which hardly ever happens!

Snow was amazing during the winter and Josh took the boys to make his 18^th trip of the year on Memorial Day.  It was a good year to have a season pass. 2012 isn’t looking as promising…

June 2011

Nate (14) made his third trip to summer scout camp. He finished enough merit badges to make Life rank. Dylan (9) went to Cub Scout Day Camp and got a jump start on his Bear rank requirements.

Kaylene and Nate participated in a tri-stake dance festival in the Stockton Arena. They were part of over 600 youth that practiced for 6 months to do this festival. They are now expert waltzer - cha-cha - foxtrotters.

July 2011

Kaylene made her third trip to EFY at BYU in Provo.

Nate played short stop on his baseball All-star team and made it to the state tournament. We all made the trip to San Luis Obispo to watch him play. We turned it into a mini-vacation by staying and extra day and going to the Ravine waterpark. We got back in enough time for Kaylene and I to make our annual trip to Young Women’s camp.

 August 2011

My favorite holiday, First Day of School, found Kaylene in 11^th grade, Nate in 9^th, Kyle in 6^th, Dylan in 4^th and Logan (6) in 1^st. All my kids are in school all day, Kaylene drives Nate, and the boys walk. Life is good!

September 2011

Josh and I made our first overnighter trip leaving the kids home alone. Yay, for big kids! We went to Monterrey. We visited the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Josh went skim boarding at the beach and we saw my sister’s husband’s brother, Matt the Electrician, preform at a cool café. It was an awesome way to spend my birthday.

October 2011

After 6 years with Oracle (after they took over PeopleSoft where he worked for 7 years) Josh left the Galactic Empire (Oracle) to join the Rebel Alliance (Workday)!  He is stoked to be working for Yoda instead of Darth Vader. It has been a good change. He is still in Pleasanton so the family didn’t have to move or anything. Everyone is happy. 

November 2011Kaylene performed as Helen Keller in the Kimball Jaguar Theatre production of The Miracle Worker. This was a VERY demanding role. She split her chin in one performance (no stiches but, she does have a scar) and lost 8 pounds overall. Grandma and Grandpa came from Idaho to watch. She did a fabulous job! It will be one role we’ll never forget!  

December 2011In celebration of the Christmas season we had a family picture taken. I have enclosed the picture to prove how blessed we are. All five of our beautiful children are growing up healthy and happy. We have much to be grateful for.

We hope that your year that has past and the one to come is equally blessed. We love and miss you all. Please come for a visit. You are always welcome.

Love,

Josh, Kenna, Kaylene, Nate, Kyle, Dylan & Logan Hendricks

Happy Birthday, Logan!

Five years ago I went in for an ultra sound to find out the sex of our soon to be brand new baby. This was our fifth and last baby. We had already had three boys in a row so we figured the chances of having another boy were slim. We went for the ultra sound and just like we thought a girl it was!
Fast forward 4 months...
My water broke and off to the hospital we went. They set me up on an epidural and I watched a baseball game. My own doctor was out of town so the doctor on call took care of things. At the end of the baseball game it was time for delivery.
Labor was smooth and after a short time I delivered a 9lb 5oz baby boy! I am not sure what happened between ultra sound and delivery but, we definitely didn't get what we ordered! But, as with all good surprises it turned out to be something we absolutely loved and would never send back. Logan Wayne was the best surprise ever. We love him. Happy Birthday, Logan!

Merry Christmas

December 2009

To our dear family and friends:

It's hard to believe the Christmas holiday is here again. Time sure does seem to fly! To all of you, our warmest wishes -- for this holiday and for every day. We hope all is great with your family and that life, in all ways, is good.

Here is the annual Christmas update from the Hendricks family. The short version is that we are still in Tracy, everyone is fine, we had a busy summer, and nothing tragic occurred since last Christmas… i.e. no broken bones. We are not yet rich but we are very blessed. For those of you that want to continue, a more detailed account follows:

Kaylene is now 15 and a freshman in high school. She likes to remind us that she is one year away from…driving. She works hard and does well in school and seminary. She is taking a full load of pre-AP courses which means we are totally useless in helping her with homework anymore. She went to EFY (Especially for Youth) at BYU for the first time this past summer and had a blast. This was her third year at Young Women’s Camp and she got to go on the overnight hike. She also has the part of Titania, Queen of the Fairies in the school play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. We are proud of her for trying something new.

Nathan is 12 and in the 7th grade. I am pretty sure he is convinced 7th grade is going to kill him. He has had to work hard on all sorts of projects. He played baseball in the spring. His team only lost one game all season and won the league championship and he only struck out once all season. He opted to not play All-stars this year so he could go to scout camp. He is Senior Patrol Leader in his boy scout troop and just about to earn his Star Scout. He is still being “forced” to take piano lessons and plays for Priesthood at church on Sundays. But, I think his favorite thing to do is go snowboarding with his dad.

Kyle is 9 (10 in February) and in the 4th grade. School seems to be going okay. He has had to read books in different genres this year and do book report projects on them. He liked A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck (this is a family favorite) and didn’t like Old Yeller by Fred Gipson. He was a bit traumatized that the dog dies. His favorites though are the Percy Jackson books. They have motivated him to try writing his own stories. Kyle is playing city league basketball for the first time and really liking it. He takes his basketball to school everyday and practices at recess. This is going so much better for him than baseball ever did!

Dylan is 7 and in the 2nd grade. He likes school. Homework is another story. I have to pretty much tie him to a chair so he will sit and do it! According to him there are way too many other things going on and he can’t focus. He has improved on his reading. His teacher has started afterschool clubs and he likes to go to those every Wednesday. Dylan loves to do projects. He finds things to make in the Family Fun magazine. He is happy with an empty paper towel roll or orange juice carton….and glue sticks…lots and lots of glue sticks. He can’t wait to be 8 and be baptized and start Cub Scouts.

Now for Logan. Logan is 4 and is dying to start school. He gets upset that he doesn’t have a school to go to. He tells people he has home school with his mom. He gets together with his best friend, Johnny, once a week for a letter day. This helps a little. They are up to the letter M. Logan has a “secret” handshake with his dad and loves to play games with him. His favorite to play is Diego checkers... but, only he knows the rules to it and they change every time they play. He is really bright, loves to sing Primary songs, and can’t wait to be big like his brothers. It will make his life a lot less frustrating!

As for the parents in the family, we're still trying to make it through, doing everything we can—hopefully all that we should! Josh is still the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric at church. Work at Oracle is keeping him busy but, he still manages to find time to watch Star Wars the Clone Wars with his boys, plant a garden and go snowboarding with Nathan. I was released form my Stake Primary (children's group) job and called to be the Cub Scout committee chair at church. Once you are in Cub Scouts I don’t think they ever let you go, especially if you have lots of sons! I had the opportunity to go to Young Women’s Camp again this year thanks to Aunt Allene. She came and stayed with the boys for me. I had many chances to do service this year and I am grateful for those experiences.

Hope this letter finds you well and we all sincerely wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year.

With Love,

Josh, Kenna, Kaylene, Nathan, Kyle, Dylan and Logan

Scooby Doo, Where are you?!

Can you believe that another Halloween has come and gone? Our family (or at least Josh and I) has a tradition of dressing up together every year. It is my job to get the costumes all together and everyone wears them for about 2 hours at the ward Trunk or Treat. It is a big investment of time and money to outfit a family of 7 for only 2 hours! But, I think the end result is worth it. Of course the problem is that everyone wants to know what you will be next year?

Recently Logan has taken an interest in Scooby Doo. One day he said maybe Daddy could be Shaggy and he could be Scooby for Halloween. Then he thought some more and said Kaylene could be Daphne because she has red hair and Nathan can be Freddie. Well, that left me with Velma. We couldn't get Nathan or Kyle or Dylan to be Freddie. So, we went Fredless.

Dylan was Ash Ketchum from Pokemon. Not the traditional Ash, but you know, the one from Diamond and Pearl. I had to make the costume because they are not easily found. In the end he was happy and I only had to make a second one because Logan, after being Scooby for one night, wanted to be just like his brother for the actual Halloween night.

Kyle is way in to Wolverine. He even made the fingerblades. He wasn't very happy I wouldn't let him grow his hair out but, if you look close you might be able to see the sideburns he drew on himself.

No, Nathan isn't Hannah Montana! We found the blow up rock guitar and he decided to go as a rock star. We said he could be Axle Rose from Guns 'n Roses with the long hair and bandanna. He had no clue who this was. But, for future reference don't try to look it up on the internet. There was nothing we could show him safely. :)

Well, another year down and I have exactly 11 months before I have to come up with something new because one can never use the same costume twice!

Still Summer Here

When there aren't enough days in summer...what is a mom to do?!
Last year we had such a busy summer that we didn't have two weeks back to back so that I could sign the kids up for a swim lesson session. The kids were not happy about this. Since we don't have a pool they think of swim lessons as a chance to go swimming every day. This summer came along and we were once again busy and no swim lessons. Then a few weeks ago we got our fall parks and rec guide. Guess what? Because California has such wonderful weather (we are still in the mid 90's) they teach swim lessons in the fall! Even though we are back in school, I got myself right down to the city building and signed the three younger boys up for two sessions. It will eventually get cold here and we really are busy but, we are going to enjoy summer a little bit longer.

This is a happy picture of Logan at swim lessons. I wish I had one of him jumping off the diving board at his last lesson. He was brave enough to get up on the board and walk out to the end. But, that is where the bravery stopped. He froze. His teacher tried to coax him to jump. He squatted like he was going to jump but as fast as he could he grabbed his teacher's legs and held on. She had to pry him off crying and drop him in the water. He came up sputtering and not happy. It was so sad. I don't think he'll ever want to do it again. He will be the biggest kid at lessons still on the steps!