Merry Christmas

One for Dasher, and Dancer and Prancer, and Vixen. One for Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, and Blitzen. Christmas celebrations came early and often around the Henderson household this year. So many friends and family to share time and gifts with. A new bike, a sewing machine, a Nintendo DS w/many games, Wii Resort, a fishing pole, and a ton of new clothes. We have one more Christmas celebration left at great grandma and grandpa's house and then it is off to Disneyland.

Before we board our flight, let us make one thing clear, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!

Winter Concert

A long line formed outside the Lake Stevens PAC on Tuesday night. People were waiting in the cold, wind and rain. Who were they waiting the see??? It wasn't a high school drama production. It wasn't a community variety show or even the annual magic show. It was our own 1st graders from Mt. Pilchuck Elementary. The doors opened at 6:45 and by 7:00 the kids took the stage. In just under a half hour they performed 7 songs for all of their fans that had gathered. They danced, they sang, and they even played some instruments. Proud parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents enjoyed the show. Excellent work by everyone involved.

The Replacement Vehicle

We were all sad to see the Durango replaced but we got a great truck in its place. Using the Costco Auto program we made an appointment at Rodland Toyota to test drive a Toyota Tacoma. We arrived at 9:30am and were assisted by a great salesman named Colin. We immediately were drawn to the truck on the showroom floor. We went over the available options and what we were looking for. Colin brought out a metallic gray truck for us to test drive. It was great...but we were still drawn to showroom model. We were hooked. We told him we wanted the one in the the showroom. They showed us the Costco price and we said fill out the paperwork. We were purchased and on the road in just under 3 hrs. Great experience!

The only problem was that we still had the Durango at home. We had listed it on Craigslist and had almost 30 responses in two days. The first girl that responded on Wednesday said she wanted it and she had cash. We were to meet her on Friday at 3:00. She showed up with 20 $100 bills and was very excited to take it off our hands. Her fiance was a mechanic and he was going to order a rebuild kit and repair it for her. It seemed to be a win for both parties.

Repair or Replace?

Last week the transmission went out on the Durango. We paid $931 to fix it but it was not enough. The total to fix it escalated above $5000 and we were faced with a decision to repair or replace. After a day of weighing the pros and cons we decided to replace. With what...That decision has not been finalized. We posted the Durango on Craigslist for $2000 and within an hour we had several potential buyers. We will know Friday if it is sold.

Good Bye Durango

Family Date

It wasn't even Thanksgiving yet, but the Henderson's got in the Christmas spirit over the weekend. We had a family date at Key Arena on Saturday to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform. The instrumentals and light shows were great but the vocals left a little bit to be desired.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://popup.lala.com/popup/360569479528868582&ei=PAwKS9GLI4vWsQPZmczACQ&sa=X&oi=music_play_track&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=2&ved=0CBIQ0wQoADAA&usg=AFQjCNEIAIlGoKmAMnqIa3WHUaFLNwk8kA

After the show we walked to Pagliacci Pizza and on our way home we stopped for Blizzards at DQ.

Next stop...Turkey Day!

Pumpkins, Purple Panthers, & Trick or Treat

An eventful weekend at the Henderson household began with the neighbors spending a Friday evening with us eating pizza and carving pumpkins. Everyone had a great time but it is amazing how loud three kids can be when they are having fun.

Saturday morning Avery greeted us with an early morning Happy Halloween!! It was raining sideways outside and it was the last game for the Purple Panthers. It was also H1N1 flu clinic day. After driving by the Snohomish clinic at 8am and seeing the line around the building and up the hill (5 hr wait time also a factor) we decided that it was not our day to get vaccinations. The neighbors stood in line for several hours only to have the cutoff happen right in front them.

The rain stopped just in time for Avery's game. The girls all dressed up for the occasion and played well in their final game. Each girl got a cookie and trophy. After the trophy presentation it was time get dressed up and get the trick or treating started.

Avery got dressed up in her leopard costume and we made our way through the rain to grandma's and great grandma's/grandpa's house. We were invited to the neighbors to have drinks and dinner prior to trick or treating. With the kids all dressed up the rain stopped again and off we went through a couple of the surrounding neighborhoods. The kids got more candy than they know what to do with and everyone had a great time.

The Suite Life

When it is Seahawks season Neil will do just about anything to catch a Seahawks game. This last Sunday we came across an opportunity that doesn't happen very often. We were invited to attend the Seahawks game as guests in the Virgina Mason Suite. The chance at special tickets, entrance, elevator, food, drink, and our own bathroom only comes around once in a lifetime or at least once in the last 36 years. Matt Hasselbeck's return and 41-0 drubbing of Jacksonville made for an exciting day.

This was Shelly's first Seahawk game and the accommodations were ones that will probably never be matched again. We had a awesome time and are grateful to those that made it possible. Its back to the endzone seats for Neil next week.

1st Grade

First Grade 2009

Avery packed her lunch, got herself up and made her way to day one of the 1st Grade. Avery caught the bus at daycare and then Shelly met Avery at Mt. Pilchuck Elementary to help her get settled into her new classroom. Avery is very excited to be in Mrs. Peterson's classroom and can't wait for school tomorrow. Hopefully that attitude will continue long into the future.

Fishing Trip

Our neighbor and his two boys took Avery and Neil fishing on Sunday evening. Avery and the boys were very excited to go out in the boat and were even more excited when the felt the BOOM BOOM on their line. Most of the time it was jus weeds but here is their catch.

Evergreen State Fair

The annual trip to the fair in Monroe started out like any other year. We arrive at 10:45 and wandered through the petting zoo and animal barns. We met up with Neil's coworker Mr. Shell and he let Avery release a homing pigeon. We saw cows, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, sheep, horses, cats, dogs...

After a stop for lemonade, it was time for rides. Neil and Avery got wristbands and Avery headed for the big slide. This is where our normal fair experience changed. The usually timid Avery turned into a carnival ride champ. She finished off the little kid section in no time and was ready to move on to the bigger rides.

After a quick stop for lunch and a dash through the junk barns, we were on our way to the bigger rides. Cliff Hanger was the first ride and after that there was no stopping Avery. The only rides she wouldn't go on were the rides that went upside down or the super shot ride.

Six years in a row for Avery and many more to come!!!

Tatoosh Lakes Trail Backpacking Adventure

A big thanks to Ben for showing Neil the ropes of backpacking on the Tatoosh Lakes Trail. Bright and early Tuesday morning the car was loaded and they were off to the trailhead. There was only one other car parked on the road and the weather could not have been better. The only worry was the gunshots heard as they packed their bags. Hunting season???

With their bags packed they started up the trail. 3.9 miles and 3250 ft of elevation gain was ahead of them. It was slow going through steep switchbacks that lead them through the forest up to alpine meadows. Views of Mount St. Helens and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest surrounded them.

At mile number 3 there is a small sign showing trail 161b that leads up the meadow a half mile to a ridge above the Tatoosh Lakes. Panoramic views of Cascade peaks and valleys abound. A lot of sweat, a little pain, and 3 hours later they had made it as high up as they were going to go. No camping is allowed at the lake so it was here that they set up camp.

Once camp was set, it was off to the lakes. Another 1/2 mile, this time down, were the Tatoosh Lakes. The true prize for making the hike!! No other people around. There was a snowfield at the far end of the bigger lake with an inviting rock. Here beer could be nicely chilled (Blue Mountains = Cold as the Rockies, the Cascades in the this case), and a cooking station could be set up for the fish that were about to be caught. Nice trout were caught(8 total) and 3 were kept(should have been 4 but Neil dropped the last one back into the lake, whoops), cleaned, and cooked by guide master Ben. Eating fresh fish, tipping back some tallboys, all while taking in all the views that nature has to offer.

Backpacking might not be so bad after all...

After fishing it was the 1/2 mile trek back up to camp. Freeze dried food topped off the trout appetizer and some star watching around the campfire provided a relaxing end to a spectacular day. Neil still thinks sleeping on the ground in a tent(thermarest pads and cozy sleeping bags provided by the guide were very appreciate) is not so much fun. By morning the clouds had rolled in, our views were gone and a misty rain was beginning to fall. A campfire to warm up, freeze dried breakfast to get going, camp stuffed back into the packs and it was back on the trail.

3 hours up...1 hour 45 minutes down. By the end, feet were soaked and joints were tired but good times were had by all.