Our Happy Henstrom Reunion

Well, our family is finally back together. I went to California last week to pick up Cecilee and then met up with Miranda and Jordan in Utah. Alex flew in the next night and then on Saturday we headed up Provo Canyon to Aspen Grove for the Henstrom Family Reunion.

The only sadness of the reunion is that Mike & Stephanie's family weren't able to come because Stephanie is still recovering from the birth of the newest cousing, Lily. We miss you guys but we are really excited to have the family grow.

Saturday night we settled in to our rooms, the teen cousins (and Uncle Will) went to see The Fray in concert and the rest of us visited and got familiar with Aspen Grove. Sunday we had church and family time. Dad gave each family a wonderful book of rememberances of he and Mom. It was really wonderful. That evening there was a lovely fireside with two of President Monson's kids who answered questions from the audience. It was really great and as they both testified of the divine calling of the Prophet and spoke about the wonderful father and man he is, I was really touched.

Monday the kids went off with their age groups in the morning while the parents went to a seminar on personality styles and families. They followed it up with an intense game of paintball...Oregon & Utah Henstroms against everyone else. Doug, Nicky, Chris & David triumphed over the Oregon-Utah team but it was fun, although both Chris and Paul were pretty bruised.

The afternoon was spent doing family games and activities at the Aspen Follies. It was really well organized and a lot of fun. We finished up the evening with some wonderful stories from Grandpa about he and grandma courting. Alex, Cecilee & I also got in a game of disc golf and mini golf.

Today we went to more talks on family communication and then had a go at badmiton. A bunch of the kids got to try out the climbing wall as well. This evening we went to "frontier night" and enjoyed snow cones, hatchet throwing, face painting, air soft gun shooting and just having a great time together.

We'll see how tomorrow goes with hikes planned as well as a game of dodgeball Adults v. Teens. The most wonderful thing about being in this beautiful environment is being with the family.

Empty Nest...still can't accomplish much

With all the kids gone, I was gung-ho to get my entire life revamped and put back together in 2 weeks or less. I think I might actually get all the laundry done. I can now walk through (instead of trip through) my bedroom but the garage remains a mystery and is still pretty hazerdous.

I have managed to attend a resume writing workshop as well as did some ground work on getting the funding to get my CNA/CNA 2 Acute Care. Now if I can just get my career specialist (at Work Source) to call me back so I can submit it. I must admit I am feeling intimidated about going back into the work force, even part-time, but it is a growing experience for me. I am thinking that I might have to lighten my load for Fall term if I am going to be working. We'll see.

We had a fun 4th of July but it wasn't the same without the kids. Thankfully, the HOT weather that plagued us last week is gone and things are cool and cloudy now...just the way I like it! (Well maybe not so much cloudy)

4 more days until I return to California to pick up the little and then head for Utah. Hurray!

Tuesday night we went to the Hillsboro Farmers Market with friends, Gary & Sara Nees, and listened to a Marimba band called Boka Marimba. They were pretty good. Marimba music is so cheerful and upbeat...I need to listen more.

CIAO!

Fun times in Oregon, California and the Mid-West...

Well, Alex & I are getting a lot done being home alone. Today I started the colossal job of sorting through my bedroom and finally cleaning it up. I was watching "Clean House" on TV and realizing that the mess in my bedroom sadly resembles some of the disasters that they come in and fix. Hopefully, I can get on top of it.

Cecilee is enjoying her time with her Aunties (and uncles, cousins, etc.) in California. She went up to my sister Sharla's house today and aparently has gotten her hair colored since I last saw her....Blue! Oh well, it's just hair and probably a lot of fun for her.

Miranda and Jordan have made it to Ohio without too much pain (for them...hopefully my parents are surviving as well). Miranda talked about seeing her first firefly. That really is a magical moment for those of us who live in the west where we don't have fireflies. They are quite amazing. She is also suffering the pains (or itches) of having a run-in with poison oak. Thank goodness for Calamine lotion.

Today has been a really good day for our whole family.

Off and running...

Well, I put Miranda and Jordan in the car with my parents and they are off to look for America...literally. Cecilee is going to stay in N. California with the Aunties and I am finally going to have my dream vacation. Staying home and cleaning my house. No promises on what that really means. I also plan to figure out how to take better care of myself as well. I am so grateful for my family and the way we work together to provide fun experiences and enrich one another's lives.