Saturday Night

When Hannah first chose to go to UC Berkeley - we had hopes that our football teams might play against each other one day - since Berkeley is in the Pac Ten and we're from the Big Ten. Of course, we hoped that it would be in the Rose Bowl - or perhaps a BCS playoff game!

However, the schedule makers actually delivered the first head-to-head meeting in the form of The Golden Bears vs Michigan State at Cal last night!

It was Momma vs Hannah and we were all on hand to witness the epic (and I do mean EPIC.. because the game took for-ev-er - given the number of TV time outs that occurred!). Of course, Grandpa Bill was connected by cell phone and the fact the game was on national TV as well. So, we all got to enjoy the game together!

Before talking about the game - let me just say that Berkeley REALLY needs to kick those kids out of the trees so that it can rip down and rebuild its stadium. I'm sure that it was once a beautiful place. However, it really is long in the tooth at this point. Imagine Michigan Stadium with 2x6's for seats and port-a-potties for guest facilities. And those are generally the high points! It's time for a change! We miss our cushy seats at Stanford.

One of the cooler aspects of the existing stadium is that there is a wonderful hill right behind the stadium that people flock to to watch the game on the cheap (free!!). It's called Tightwad Hill and - as with everything it seems at Berkeley - there is a lawsuit going on to prevent Berkeley from making modifications to the stadium that would impare the view from the Hill. I think first on the court docket is to get the tree people out of the trees on the other side of the stadium so they can rebuild.. Then, perhaps when that is started they can worry about whether the seats are too tall.

Okay.. back to the game - which was an extremely entertaining.

First off, I give the Spartans and their fans a lot of credit. I don't know if you can tell by the picture.. but their were four entire sections full of MSU fans in their white and green! That, in addition to all the fans that were interspersed with the Cal Bear fans throughout the remainder of the stadium.

It was a close game.. and we definitely got to see the MSU flag run through the end zone a number of times after MSU scores. There were many awesome plays.. and it was good to have Bill on the other end of the phone when there were plays that required instant replay to determine challenges on the field. I called Bill a couple times asking 'did he really drop that ball?'. Alas, there were a couple too many drops by MSU. However, at the end the final score was 38-31 Cal!

Speaking of drops (how's that for a subtle transition?).. there was a spectacular precision diving demonstration at half time. It started when we noticed a drop plane circling above the field. Suddenly, a number of divers jumped out and fired up their smoke dispensers as they dropped toward the field. The aereal acrobatics where very artistic and got the crowd pretty excited for the landings on the field. All in all it was pretty sweet!

































I will say that the Cal students really know how to have a great time during the game. Here's a picture of the student section participating in half time - by orchestrating different cards into patterns that can be seen by all within the stadium.

At first they put up a nice sign Cal and MSU together to honor them playing. However, shortly after that display.. they put up a lone MSU sign... then crossed out the MSU.. to the delight of the Cal fans (and sneers from the MSU'ers).

After the game we met up with Hannah for some post game taunting - which Julie accepted graciously. Hannah and her peeps really did have a great time and it's fun to see her in her element and enjoying herself.

So - until next time.. that's Cal 1 - BigTen 0 ;(

Saturday Morning

Here's Julie and Jon Logan putting on a little end of summer garage sale Saturday morning.

The Henderson's goal was to do a little garage cleaning! We were happy to clear some stuff out that had just been taking up space and see it put to good use by people that could use it.







Team Logan (Jon and Rachel) have been taking an awesome class on managing their finances.. and were looking to cut back on some unneeded items and trim their expenses. That's pretty good for such young people to be putting their financial house in such good order!



















Tod even contributed (once he got out of bed) by trekking to Stan's Donuts to make sure the troops were well fed and had a sufficient sugar high to get them through the morning. We all have something to do! And - yes! We had lemonade for our guests! Doesn't everyone?

The Proposal

Joel and Carissa wanted to share the story of their engagement with you. One of Joel's friends did take some pictures.. but they will not be available for awhile as he is out of town now. So, the pictures will come along later.. but here is their story:

Joel’s story:

In order to best tell the story of our engagement, I should start at the beginning. When Carissa and I first started dating, I decided (as with other good friends and close relatives) that I’d set a special ring tone on my phone to play each time she called. I chose a clip I had already made from “For Me This is Heaven” by Jimmy Eat World, a song whose first line goes, “The first star I see / may not be / a star.” I’ve liked this song for some time (for no particular reason other than it’s being a really awesome song), and upon further consideration these lyrics seemed especially appropriate for Carissa, since I mostly saw her only at night, when the stars come out. So the ring tone was set, and continues to play each time her wonderful voice is waiting for me. This song also served as the inspiration for my nickname for her: A Realta Mo Chroi, which is Irish for Star of My Heart. Thus, the setting of this story is set.

Like all things worth writing (or doing), the idea for my proposal just came to me while I was walking down a Salem street one evening. Carissa was at work, so I had some time that night to meander around town on my own. I had been thinking earlier that day, trying to come up with a creative and unique way to pop the proverbial question, but nothing truly inspiring came to mind. Then, in an instant, unexpected and beautiful, the idea arrived: the theme for the proposal should be stars. This single detail helped so many others fall perfectly into place.

On Willamette’s campus there are five huge Sequoia trees planted in a circle called the Star Trees (named so because when you look up the center of them the gap between their tops is shaped like a star). Thus, I had my location. Christmas lights, when not associated with a house or a holiday, can easily be made to look like stars. Thus, I had my decorations. Stars (as mentioned before) only come out at night, and Christmas lights only look good when they are made more brilliant by the contrast of evening. Thus, I had my timeframe. This theme even made coming up with a code name for the proposal easy: Operation Polaris (sorry, padre; Project Getwife sounded too caveman with a club).

With these details in hand, planning for Operation Polaris could transition into implementation. I recruited two of my close guy friends in the area to help, codenamed Starlight and Starbright (Yes, I had as much fun with this proposal as I could). Saturday morning, August 23, 2008, at 1000 hours we met at the Star Trees to hang 13 strands of icicle lights I had borrowed from my coworkers. It’s a good thing Carissa doesn’t get up until 2:00PM most days (she works a night shift at Salem Hospital as an Emergency Room nurse, so she sleeps through the morning), because we needed a couple hours to solve some technical difficulties we ran into (blown fuses, inadequate hanging supplies, etc). We finished preparations at 1200 hours, leaving Operation Polaris to sit in quiet anticipation until cover of night.

At 2045 hours I made a miraculous comeback during a game of cribbage Carissa and I were playing, and used this victory as an excuse to go out for a victory lap. I had just received a coded message from Starbright indicating Operation Polaris was a GO, so the timing was impeccable and already working perfectly. We walked an improvised path through Willamette’s campus until we came to a small footpath that takes you as close to the Star Trees as possible. With Starbright waiting in secret (and the lights not yet lit), we walked up the path towards the trees. After passing a designated point on the path, I rose my hand and snapped my fingers (thus giving the designated signal), and instantly all the lights were lit, as if by magic. I could not have asked for better operational performance.

Carissa’s reaction was perfect: she laughed a little in stunned surprise. But that’s not the end of the story. Waiting in the center of the Star Trees was a small column, with a card reading “To Carissa” and a small ringbox on its top. She walked up slowly to the column, took up the ring box and opened it. Inside was waiting a note that read “turn around.” Following this suggestion quickly, she turned to find me, down on one knee, ring out front and center. I had decided earlier that day to keep the whole proposal as simple as possible, so all I asked was, “Carissa Mae Schutter, will you marry me?” And she said yes. SHE SAID YES!! Sha boo ya!

Just like that, we were officially engaged. We had talked about it a lot, even started planning some wedding details, but this one moment made everything real. And for all it’s being a special moment, to me it really symbolizes a lifetime of choice, that each day I choose to be with Carissa because I want to be with her because I love her. She is A Realta Mo Chroi, Star of my Heart, and the light of my love for her (like that of the stars) will never fade away.

Carissa's story:

After the Hendersons left on Tuesday, I had to go to work for three days. The longest three days of my life...knowing the official engagement was just around the corner, but not being sure...

Anyway, Saturday rolled around. I was sure this was THE DAY. I knew we were going out for dinner (a rare occasion), so I had it all worked out: he'd propose, then we'd go to dinner to celebrate.....or not. That bugger acted completely normal all day. We did our usual hang out routine then went to dinner. We got back and he said, "So, want to do anything?" Uh...no...don't you want to do something...? So, we played a card game. By then it was almost 9 pm and I'd given up hope of it happening Saturday. I thought he must have something else in mind for another day. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. So, Joel totally beat me at cribbage and wanted to go on a 'victory lap' around Willamette University. Nothing out of the ordinary there. We were talking and joking like normal when we passed the Star trees on campus. As we're walking past, Joel snaps his fingers and twinkle lights come on all the way around the trees. In the middle, there's a pedestal with a ring box and my name on it. I get all mushy and walk towards the box. Inside there's a note "turn around." I turn around, and there's Joel on one knee with the actual ring. The rest, as they say, is history!

Excellent Joke

The following was sent to me by a colleague at work (obviously, not one of our finer people)...

A farmer was walking in his fields near Ann Arbor, Michigan and he heard the sound of distant singing. Confused, he tried to follow the sound. It led him to a group of his cattle and surprisingly to the rear end of one little calf. He bent down and lifted the tail so he could hear clearer and it was the University of Michigan Fight Song!

Amazed, the farmer loaded his calf into a trailer and drove into town. He went to see his vet and explained what he had discovered. The vet said "well, bring em out and we'll take a look." So the farmer led the calf out of his trailer and up the vet. The vet bent down, lifted the tail and calmly stood back up. "Sure enough, that is the University of Michigan Fight Song."

The farmer was ecstatic. "Doc! Why aren't you more excited!? This is amazing! Unheard of! We gotta tell people!"

The vet, a third generation Michigan State University grad said, "Hell Bud, I'm a Spartan - I have been listening to buttholes sing that song my whole life."

PS - okay, that's funny.. but remember the reason you keep hearing the song is we've been kicking your butt for years!

Oops.. We Did It Again!! Welcome to the Family!!

WE EXTEND OUR MOST EXCITED, HEARTFELT and JOYOUS CONGRATULATIONS and BLESSING to JOEL AND CARISSA on the ANNOUNCEMENT of their ENGAGEMENT!

Carissa, we are so happy to have you join our family!

I'm sure Joel will pass along the very romantic details of his proposal.. but just thought you all should hear the news!

Boo yahh!!!

Welcome to the Family!!!

Team Henderson is most pleased to announce that we have a new member of our family! How exciting is that?!

Yes, Skipper has joined our family. We are the new foster parents of a 10 yr old Miniature Schnauzer.

Skipper is the constant companion of Dorothy Drew - 92 - a client of Julie's pet hospital and a friend. Julie has been providing Dorothy assistance for the last few years in taking care of Skipper as she has become less able to get around as much as she used to (amazingly - she still lives alone and takes care of herself!).

Recently, Dorothy has been having some health issues that mean she is going to need additional assistance and she will no longer be able to live independently. So, we are taking care of Skipper - perhaps for a short period - or perhaps indefinitely while those issues and plans work themselves out.

Welcome Skipper to Team Henderson!

Additional Olympic Thoughts

So, earlier I posted a message about how the UofM was doing - if viewed as a nation - in the Olympics. Here's a brief update - and then I'm gonna make one additional point:

The total medal count would be as follows; which would put us 16th in the Olympics as a nation for total medals and 8th in golds.

10 Golds

1 Silver

2 Bronze

-----------------

13 Total Medals

1 Gold
Brett Sickler (United States) Rowing • Women's Eight

1 Gold
1 Bronze
Peter Vanderkaay (United States) Swimming

8 Gold
Michael Phelps (United States) Swimming

1 Bronze
Nick Willis (New Zealand) Track and Field • 1,500m

1 Silver
Betsey Armstrong (United States) Water Polo • Goalkeeper

THE USA STILL REMAINS A PLACE OF UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITY!

I've read some articles during the Olympics about how far China has come as a nation and how well they are doing in the medals race - and particularly in achieving gold medals. And I want to be the first to say "Well Done" and offer them well deserved congratulations.

That being said.. the flip side of the comments I have read seem to imply doom and gloom about the US in terms of Olympic prowess.

I just want to make one brief observation about that. Take a look at the roster that I printed below of the participants in the Olympics that attend or attended the UofM. You'll find there are 22 names in the list. Of those 22 names.. how many are actually competing for the USA? Less than half. Only 10. That means that 12 other athletes participating in the Olympics for 7 other countries got their opportunity to train and become all they could be in athletics by coming to America.

So - here's an interesting question.. and one I don't actually have an answer to.. but how many total medals do you think were won by people that primarily live and train athletically in the US? It's got to be a really big number. Many of those medals were won by people born and raised as US citizens in America. I bet a few more were won by recent immigrants from other countries that are naturalized citizens and live in and compete for the US (like our flag bearer - Sudanese-born Lopez Lomong). But a host more are won by people like Nick Willis that have come to the UofM (and thus, America), trained here and benefited from getting an education here.. only to go back and compete for their native countries (in his case.. New Zealand).

It would be interesting to see how many other countries attract, train and send back to their native countries the number of athletes that the USA does. I'm sure there are a few countries that have a few. But do you think anyone has even close to the number that thus US does? I seriously doubt it.

So - when you scan down the Medal Table - I hope you will recognize along with me just how proud we can really be at all the many people this country has enabled to be in the Olympics this Summer - whether they have come in first.. or last. With all our foibles - this is still the greatest nation in the world.. and you can see it in one small way by discovering the diversity of people we have accepted, trained and sent back to compete this summer in Beijing. This is still the greatest land of opportunity on the planet! Think of that, too, when you are chanting USA.. USA!!

Baseball
Clayton Richard USA Pitcher U-M letterwinner 2005

Women's Rowing
Ellen Tomek USA Double sculls U-M letterwinner 2004-06
Heather Mandoli Canada Women's eight U-M letterwinner 2001-04
Janine Hanson Canada Quadruple sculls U-M letterwinner 2003-06
Brett Sickler USA Women's eight U-M letterwinner 2002-05

Men's Rowing
Matt Hughes USA Quadruple sculls Men's club team alumnus ('04)
Ken Jurkowski USA Single sculls U-M volunteer coach 2008

Men's Swimming
Alon Mandel Israel 200m butterfly U-M 2007-present
Michael Phelps USA Multiple events U-M volunteer coach 2005-08
Peter Vanderkaay USA Multiple events U-M letterwinner 2003-06
Scott Spann USA 200m breaststroke U-M letterwinner 2007-08
Andrew Hurd Canada 4x200m freestyle relay U-M letterwinner 2002-05

Women's Swimming
Natasha Moodie Jamaica 50m freestyle U-M 2008-present
Valeria Silva Peru 100m breaststroke U-M letterwinner 2005-08

Men's Track and Field
Adam Harris Guyana 200m U-M 2006-present
Stann Waithe Trinidad and Tobago 4x400m relay U-M letterwinner 2004-06, '08
Nate Brannen Canada 1,500m U-M letterwinner 2002-05
Kevin Sullivan Canada 1,500m U-M letterwinner 1994-98
Nick Willis New Zealand 1,500m U-M letterwinner 2003-05

Women's Track and Field
Anna Willard USA 3,000m steeplechase U-M letterwinner 2007
Nicole Forrester Canada High jump U-M letterwinner 1996-99

Water Polo
Betsey Armstrong USA Goalie U-M letterwinner 2002-05

Wrestling (Freestyle)
Andy Hrovat USA 84 kg/185 pounds U-M letterwinner 1999-2002

The Good Stuff

Okay Joanne, your patience is about to be rewarded. Send the kids out to wander the neighborhood, tell Steve to load his own ammo, take the phone off the hook, lower the blinds and grab a cold one; because it’s time for the good stuff.

Yeah, that’s right - we weren’t just curious about the amount of water run off during August at Silver Creek Falls. Or whether you can buy pig ears at Costco in Salem (you can… but oddly you can’t in Santa Clara). Or whether the Apple Store in Tigard had iPod Touches in stock (they did!). Or whether you can find really good Mexican food in Salem (you can!).

Yes, all these things are nice. All these things hold some dim allure (ok.. the Great Harvest Bread store held way more than a dim allure.. but I need to stay focused). You see, all these things pale in comparison to the accomplishment of our primary mission. Our goal. Our singular desire. To observe Joel in the throws of relational bliss!

Yes, Joanne – we’re going to talk about Joel’s love life! Grab some chocolate and hunker down!

Oh, so I guess this would be a good time to point out that Joel has a girlfriend ;)

Her name is Carissa for those of you not tapped directly into the Michigan/Oregon/California geezer-net.

Our first face to face sighting of Carissa occurred on Sunday afternoon. Now, put yourself into her shoes. You are living in Salem and dating this guy.. and you know his parents are coming to town to interrogate.. I mean.. hang with you. Just how much more contrived and awkward could a first meeting be? Well, to her credit Carissa did answer the door when Joel knocked and let us in.. so .. technically – whatever happened next was really her fault! Right?!

Once we had greeted each other we got to sit with Joel and Carissa and chat a bit and get to know a little about her.. and vice versa. I think with Alzheimer’s like I have.. you can’t remember each individual detail during the discussion.. so I just more or less hope I can recall the big picture. And I can tell you Julie and I were really pleased with the big picture. It is very easy to see why Joel is attracted to Carissa. She is a very sweet person with a very quiet, gentle spirit. Other fascinating details learned about Carissa include:

• she is an actual woman.. you can tell by the fact her apartment does not look like a cave (Joel!)
• she is the oldest of three children (so she understands the burden Julie went through with Janice and Joanne)
• she reads a lot (an obvious sign of excellent breeding)
• she scrapbooks (an obvious sign of excellent breeding)
• she is a great listener (or did we just talk too much?)
  
• and she quite clearly is smitten by Joel (as he is with her)

So, like she has all that going for her!

After we all did our best ‘contrived talking’ thing for awhile we left for dinner. The kids had set it up so that Carissa’s folks - Dan and Joan – would join us at the restaurant – so we ended up meeting them and enjoying dinner together. The conversation was really easy to get into and we were eager to learn a little more about Carissa and her family and cough up some additional details regarding Team Henderson. Dan and Joan are really great people and very easy to like! It was a pleasant environment for relaxing a bit and enjoying being together. I think it took some of the pressure off the kids because they just sat there giggling and sharing inside jokes as the parents yakked away about them! On several occasions I heard Joel say ‘I didn’t know that!’ as we shared stories – and there were a couple times where Julie kicked me under the table.. so hopefully we kept them entertained. All in all it was a really nice time and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

Carissa maintains an emergency nurse’s schedule.. which is quite intense and requires she sleep some odd hours.. so it wasn’t until later Monday afternoon that we met up with her again. We decided to get out and just do some fun things together – which is more the Henderson style. We picked her up and did some shopping and then we went bowling. It was fun to watch Joel and Carissa duke it out on the lanes.. and it was particularly fun when Carissa totally PWNED Joel (and the rest of us, actually!) in the last game.

Apparently, she didn’t get the ‘let your boyfriend and/or boyfriend’s parents win’ memo! (Carissa did mention later in the weekend that she can be – as she refers to it – ‘a bit competitive’ – which we here at Team Henderson admire greatly!).

Next it was back to Joel’s apartment to hang and play some cards. I mean – seriously – do you think you can even be in a relationship with a Henderson if you are a cardtard? No – seriously? We had to find out. You will all be very pleased to hear that Carissa is decidedly NOT a cardtard! Whew! Dodged that bullet. She is an experienced card player.. who is just learning Euchre.. so Grandma Elsie.. you still hold the crown. However, she is a gamer and now battle tested at the card table. Well done Carissa! And, yes, Bill – we tried to expose her to the ‘rule of three’ and ‘fathead’ just in case she should have some future opportunity to meet you!

One of my favorite moments with the kids was when we left Joel’s apartment to go pick up some dinner on Monday night. This involved walking to a local Chinese restaurant. It was nice to see them holding hands and walking together, being playful with each other and laughing as they walked along. It was like I wasn’t there and I got just a peek at what they truly are when they are alone together (meaning not under direct microscopic parental scrutiny!) – and comfortable – and just enjoying each other’s presence. This little glimpse into their feelings for each other was touching to see. It is clear that they really enjoy each other and are very happy together. What more could we possible have hoped to find? Julie and I are so excited for the two of them.

Ok Joanne. Let the kids back into the house. That’s all I got. For now ;)

Oregon Beauty

Our first day in Oregon (Saturday) included a relatively brief visit to Silver Falls State Park just outside Salem. Silver Falls is the largest state park in Oregon - and we saw just a small corner of it during this brief visit.

The park gives you a peek at the vast beauty that is Oregon. There are a variety of hiking trails that meander through a sequence of falls. These pictures are from just a couple of the falls as we got there relatively late in the evening. In fact, we literally walked out of the park and to the car in darkness.

Joel told us that his first visit to the park was earlier in Spring when the water in the falls was much more spectacular. Even so, the falls were picturesque and it was fun to hike around, talk, and share this memory with Joel.

Nomination: Henderson Best Of's

Okay.. before I get to blogging specifically about Oregon and our trip.. which we are in the midst of.. I want to take a brief moment and place into nomination the Klamath Falls rest area - north of Yreka near the Oregon border - as the Henderson's official 'Nicest Rest Area' Award winner.

This rest stop - undoubtably - was the result of massive pork barrel spending on the part of

some local politician - because it is way nicer than any I have experienced.

You don't get the full impact by the pictures I've taken.. but let me say that when you drive into a rest stop and the you are notified that the "South Facilities" are undergoing renovation and you need to proceed 1/8 mile to the "North Facilities" - you're at a nice rest stop.

Another indication that you might be experiencing a really nice rest area: covered picnic areas. Not one. Not two. How about 20 or 30!! Sweet. Also - note that they are not your run of the mill wooden picnic tables. Not here! They are wonderful concrete tables with fully shingled canopies.

Now it's your turn. Let's here your nominations for best (or worse) rest areas! I can't wait to hear what you all have experienced - or your suggestions for where we should visit!

Go USA! Go BLUE!

Just for fun... and not likely complete because I am working CRAZY hours right now... here is my best guess as to how the University of Michigan would be doing if it was its own COUNTRY in the olympics! ;)

Michael Phelps (the swimmer.. you might have heard of him): 6 gold (to date)

Peter Vanderkaay: 1 gold as a member of the U.S. 800-meter freestyle relay squad. 1 bronze in 200 meter freestyle. Graduated from the University of Michigan in 2006.

Heather Mandoli of Canada and her boatmates finished first in their women's eight race, advancing to Sunday's medal race. Mandoli is a 2004 graduate of the University of Michigan .

That's just what I could find in 2 minutes googling. So, that would make us... let me see... let me see...

6 Golds (Peter and Michael won gold in the same race) 1 Bronze or: 7 medals. So the University of Michigan would be the 12th country in the medals count! And.. we'd be tied for 4th in Gold Medals!

Go BLUE!

BTW... here's the CAL summary so far! GO BEARS!!

Gold: 2 (2 were in same race)
Silver: 2
Bronze: 1

Broken down as follows:
Women's Swimming
Natalie Coughlin (USA) - 100 Backstroke (Gold), 400 Free Relay (Silver), 200 Individual Medley (Bronze)
Sara Isakovic (Slovenia) - 200 Freestyle (Silver)
Emily Silver (USA) - 400 Free Relay (Silver)

Men's Swimming
Nathan Adrian (USA) -- 400 Free Relay (Gold)

OK... Ok.. even Willamette has a hopeful!!: Willamette University graduate Nick Symmonds earned the top spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic 800-meter team with the second fastest time ever recorded on American soil. Go BearCats!!

Sorry Michigan State.. couldn't find anything for you ;(

Back 2 Berkeley

Well, it had to happen - but it happened too soon ;(

We took Hannah back to Berkeley this afternoon. Hannah is a Resident Assistant (RA) this year on the 8th floor of her dorm. As such, she returns early to get her own room ready and take some additional training before the rest of the kids show up over the next couple of weeks. So - way too early.. she was off to school.


Her room is REALLY BIG! It's good to be an RA. You get a single room (just you in the room).. with a lot of additional space for hanging with the kids on your floor and just giving the kids an additional place to come if they are having issues transitioning to school.



Julie and Hannah have been shopping to find just the right things to brighten up her room and give it a warm feel. You'll note from the pictures some of the great stuff that makes a college room comfortable. Did you notice the couch, TV, Tivo and refrigerator? These are essentials!

And.. what a great view towards campus and the Campinile (the Berkeley Bell Tower).

We already miss Hannah.. but she is back where she wants to be and we know she'll do a great job. Those kids on her hall by far and away have the best RA!

2008 Wiener Nationals

This morning our church, Highway Community - hosted our 5th annual Wiener Nationals - on this, National Mustard Day (seriously - google it!).











Wiener Nationals is just one of the creative outreach events our church sponsors in an attempt to connect to our community. WN starts with a scumptious barbeque - featuring specialty wieners and sausages! Here's one of our co-chefs, Peter, whom, as our only Chinese chef - we nominated to light this year's Olympic Charcoal.














Following these opening ceremonies.. we transition into the cooking of the meats. This year over 400 people attended the barbeque. That requires a lot of meat! However, our crack staff does a professional job (if we do say, ourselves).

Then, we get down to the races. The organizer and inspiration for the races is our senior pastor - Dean Smith. That's Dean manning the registration table this morning.

The next picture is his daugther Courtney and Abigail - a past National Champion.

As you can see from the pictures - the races are comprised of a series of heats with six athletes competing in each heat. The competitors don brightly colored jerseys as they prepare to vault from the shoot and race to their owners at the end of the race. As you've probably noticed at this point.. the WNs feature, exclusively, daucshunds! Yes, Wiener Dogs people!

This event has grown within the community to the point that this year over 50 competitors participated in the races. What's very good for our community is that many, many of the competitors come to the event through word of mouth and have had no previous exposure to Highway. So, we get a chance to put a fun, lighthearted and warm taste of Christ into their lives as they interact with our members and compete.

For a 'church in a box' - (note that we meet at Palo Alto High School and every week we set up and tear down our entire church!) - it's exciting to find interesting and compelling ways to draw people to us.. and hopefully to Christ!