Grandma's Fashion Milestone

Okay - so did you know that Grandma Elsie has NEVER worn blue jeans? Seriously?

Well, she finally bought a pair and here is her first photo shoot wearing jeans. She wanted you all to get a chance to see. So, Enjoy!

Elsie's Glam Shot and More

During our Christmas celebration Elsie requested a photo session in front of the fireplace (at the Logans). How cute is that! Check out the results!















Here's a good mother daughter picture!

Jumping Pictures and More!

Here they are people! The Christmas jumping pictures. Clearly, one of our most bizarre, entertaining, and just plain fun Christmas traditions. Enjoy!

For your starter course.. I give you the group photo! Note the matching Mountain Dew PJs this year.














We start you out on the jumping pictures with the oldies but goodies!












Next I give you the young and and the fabulous people - doing a pre-jump Jon lift. He seems to be enjoying himself!












Here's one of their efforts after the warmup! Note the aggressive approach of our newly engaged couple ;) I also think Hannah's hair is excellent.












Here's a sweet Guitar Hero jump by Hannah and Karen!












And here's the same two performing their Indian prayer jump.



















Now I present the lovely women of Team HenderLogan. I can't exactly say what is going on with this pose. All I know is that apparently, Grandma G is having none of it ;)

Any guesses?












And here's an exclusive photo - only available here - of Team Logan getting extreme air. I especially like how Rosie is pretty much oblivious to the world around her!

Grandma G's First Blog Entry

Hello and Merry Christmas from Grandma G! GG and I are sitting here typing in her very first blog entry! She totally thinks blogging is fun! I hope she checks out our blog when she goes back to Washington!

Everyone say Hi to GG!

PS... Christmas Jumping Pictures are coming soon!

This Really Happened!

I know there has recently been some reason to believe that not everything that is posted on this blog is true. So, I want to say right off that the events described in this post really did occur. I haven't even changed the names to protect the innocent.

One of our traditions on Christmas Eve is to have chili at the Logan's. Grandma G. (GG) makes it every year and it is a total hit. This year was no different. It was totally yummy!



















After dinner we played a game of prediction (a card game). I think I mentioned that Grandma Elsie (GE) made it into town this afternoon and started with a bang at Safeway (see previous post). Well GE stepped up her game - leaving quite the impression during the card game tonight by dropping the 'L' word!













Yes, during the game Rachel and Hannah were at one of the table sitting next to each other. They were having a great time talking and laughing with each other.














When, all of a sudden, with absolutely no warning... GE turns to the two girls and says 'Lesbians'!



















According to GE "it just slipped out!". Apparently, when they were laughing they had their two heads close together and that's the word that popped into her head! Hmmm....

Immediately - Jon Logan pushed his chair back and started laughing! Rachel and Hannah were dumbfounded at first and then started laughing so hard. And GE didn't know what to do so she joined in the raucous laughter. It took several minutes of belly laughs and worries that certain individuals would wet their pants before things calmed down and we were able to finish the game.

Too funny. And she's only been here 7 hours!

You'll be glad to hear that there were no hard feelings between GE and Hannah afterwards. How cute!

Hey Young Man!

Grandma Elsie flew into town this morning! She's visiting with us and will accompany us to Oregon and the wedding.

Julie took her over the Safeway to pick up some additional groceries for the next few days. The parking lot in the strip mall that Safeway resides in was completely PACKED with cars. So, they had to park quite a ways away from the store.

Well, after checking out they roll the shopping cart over to the car and load the groceries into the back. Then Elsie tried to figure out where to put the cart. Of course the cart corrals are quite a ways away; certainly a bit of a hike.

So Elsie sees a guy walking on the sidewalk in the direction of Safeway and yells to him "Hey Young Man!". Julie immediately tried to tell her that the man wasn't an employee. But, Grandma wasn't deterred! She told the guy that the store was pretty far away and she was just visiting from Florida... so would the young man take the cart back for her. Too funny. And he did!

And that was in her first couple hours here! More to come!

Admissions of a Fiction Writer

Dear readers, I have recently come to believe that there is something very important that you need to know about me. Something that might be difficult, at first, for you to accept and understand. Something that might be hard to hear. However, in this most Holy of seasons; at this time when redemption came down to live among us; I feel empowered that I can find love and support amidst the truth.

Nation, I am a fiction writer.

In simple terms; in words that convey clearly; I acknowledge that not everything you read on this blog is entirely truthful. And in the spirit of reaching across the aisle to my non-fiction loving friends - I apologize to you.

Now, you may be saying to yourself 'characters don't matter'. I know. We heard that alot a few years ago. But, I am taking this opportunity to tell you that characters do matter. I concede that what we say about our fellow family members and friends means something.

Case in point 1: Think of the Skipper you were introduced to in my last post. Now, there is something you should know. Skipper isn't a black puppy. Yes, your mind is questioning, blown away by this revelation. Yet, I have proof. The real Skipper, is, in fact, the miniature Schnauzer pictured here.

Case in point 2: Skipper does not smoke. Many of you are prejudiced against smokers. So, it totally changes your attitudes to know that he doesn't. Admit it.

The bottom line is that when I invoke artistic license with Skipper.. or any of the subjects of my posts - by conjuring gross fantasies based on them; When I concoct improbable lore from incredible bore; When I infringe an individual's integrity for my own personal pleasure - for the pure excitement of spinning the tale for - you - my reader - I hurt Skipper. And, in the end.. I hurt myself. Because you can no longer trust that what I say is true.

Therefore, I am considering a New Year's resolution. Perhaps it is time to incorporate true journalistic integrity into my work. Perhaps it is time that facts trump fiction (see Maggy.. aren't you glad you know what trump is now?).

Indeed, a new day has come.

Julie's Latest Rescue

My gorgeous wife Julie is also one of the most compassionate people on the planet. Late last month, as the result of a promise she made to Dorothy, one of her favorite clients at the animal clinic, we inherited Skipper.

Like most males, Skipper is a real sweetheart until he starts drinking! Then, of course, we have the usual problems – late night carousing, barking until the early morning hours, running with the wrong crowd.

Here’s a typical picture of Skipper after a Saturday night spent partying. Fortunately, he’s not an angry drunk. In fact, he can be a lot of fun when he’s partying as evidenced by a joke I overheard him tell some friends the other night!

“Q: What do you call a dog with no back legs and brass balls?"
“A: Sparky!”

That one always makes me laugh!

While Skipper can be fun.. I am hoping that Julie get's him under control soon. He’s already burned 3 holes in our couch.

Christmas Cheer

Did Julie do a good job .. or what?

I hope you all are enjoying a great start to your Christmas week!

Enjoy your week as we all remember the child who was the perfect start of our joy and hope.

Hannah Has Great Taste

Hannah has great taste in friends. Last night she came home from Berkeley with 3 of her friends (pictured here) - Emily (Uncle O), Mike (Prancer) and Maggy (Minora). She wanted to show them around her 'hood. Julie and I got a chance to just hang out with them, play some cards and laugh. They were a lot of fun to spend time with!

Oh No.. Jo.. b'fo Ho Ho Ho.. it's Snow!

Okay Joanne, I know what snow is now!

Yes, we have snow in the mountains that guard our majestic Silicon Valley. Check it out!

Congratulations Jon and Rachel!

Two of our all time favorite people got engaged today! Congratulations to Jon Logan for being an amazing and romantic man who planned and executed a fantastic proposal... and Rachel Massey (Logan) for being so incredible and having the good sense to say YES!

Team Henderson absolutely loves you both and are so happy that you have found each other and fallen in love. We can't wait to celebrate with you at the wedding!

Bethlehem

Welcome to Bethlehem! Situated on the grounds of Santa Clara Baptist Church - Bethlehem is an impressive outreach to the Silicon Valley. It's just right down the street ... but it takes you back to the time of Jesus to tell the Good News.















We get excited every November when they start 'assembling' Bethlehem. It takes an army of volunteers to create and perform. There is even a family just down the street from us that participates every year. In fact, this year their daughter is Mary!

The story starts as you enter the gates to the city amid the centurions and others that are present to participate in the census. The city teams with people - visitors and actors. It's fun because all the actors stay in character throughout. They yell at you to 'move away' and to 'make way' and especially to 'pay your taxes'! It's very authentic.















Here's a picture of one part of the city.. over by the Inns before things really start to happen. The next one is of the ruler of the centurions screaming at the citizens from the top of the city wall.















Then, Mary and Joseph make their way into the city with Mary riding on a donkey. Slowly they make their way through the city and to one of the Inns.



















At this first Inn there is no room and they move on through the city in hopes of finding a place to stay. As you know - eventually they find the only space available.. in the stable of an inn.



















As they settle in.. the shepherds are keeping watch in their fields outside the city walls when all of a sudden.. the Angle of the Lord appears wishing them tidings and telling them of the birth of the Savior! It's impressive how high in the air the angel (who is a live human who speaks and sings a song up there) appears! It's a very spectacular moment.



















Then the scene shifts back to the manger where Mary and Joseph welcome the Savior of the World to their humble setting.















Next come the shepherds and Magi to visit the babe in the manger. The Kings arrive in spendor. One of them on the back of a Camel - in regal robes! It's pretty spectacular and the baby camel that is also present at the show is so cute!



















Finally, all have arrived and they worship Jesus singing my absolute favorite Christmas hymn.. O Holy Night (the same woman sings it every year and I love her voice!).















It is an impressive presentation of the gospel and a great way to remember the meaning of this glorious season. I am thankful to the church for the huge effort they undertake to help us all enjoy the joy of Christmas!

Not So Silent Night

Last night I attended the Live 105 Not So Silent Night concert at Oracle Arena. And it was loud! Not too bad though. I am told by a couple of people that also attended the AC/DC concert last week that on a scale of 1 to AC/DC that this was only a '3'. And I believe them because my ears aren't ringing today or anything.. and they reported post concert ear ringing for up to 4 days!






In all we saw five bands play:

Jack's Mannequin - Franz Ferdinand - Bloc Party - Death Cab for Cutie - and The Killers.

The Killers were the headline act and they sounded great. Of the 5 groups.. the only one that didn't mesh with my tastes was Franz Ferdinand. Sorry guys.

Those in attendance were split into two groups.. the oldies and the goodies (post-college)! Of the oldies - Diane Smith was definitely the most excited. She LOVES Death Cab for Cutie. All I heard about leading up to the concert was Death Cab for Cutie! In fact, here she is talking to people at the concert about them! I am so glad she got to see them. I would look over at her every once in awhile as they were playing and she was totally into it. Very cool. All it all it was a great evening!

Oh.. I forgot to mention.. but I was taking pictures with my camera in our seats and then got up to walk around and get a different view. Well, a security guard came up to me and told me I couldn't have my camera in the arena (even after they thoroughly checked my bag when I entered the arena). So, I had to walk to the media center - forfeit my camera - before finishing the concert. So.. sorry folks, but no Killers photos ;(

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Enjoy these!