Strong Foreign Picture Submittal!

Folks, a strong Foreign Picture Submission has just been received by the home office and we are presenting it here for your viewing pleasure!

The one and only Michelle Bengtson - our One Another Group (OAG) leader - recently viewed our blog and immediately found that she was among friends. Among cohorts. Yes, among people that love jumping pictures!

Now, Julie and I have known Michelle since she was a wee little jumper - and her name was Michelle Buffum. In fact, we had the chance to reminisce with her father at FBCLA when we attended the Christmas program and discussed her now being our bible study leader. I'm a recent comer to the OAG and I have been very impressed with Michelle's leadership skills and insights into the Word. So, you can only imagine my excitement when I found that she also shares our love of jumping pictures!

To prove that, here's Michelle!




























Okay.. I'll be completely honest with you here. I know the Buffums and there isn't a second Michelle... so I'm going with she did some fancy photo editing to arrive at this really cool picture! So, folks - there is a strong contender our there in the foreign picture category. Watch out!

What Would You Do?

Update: Thank you to everyone who posted a comment or sent an email with your ideas. I appreciate it.

I posted this entry in an attempt to get people thinking and dialoging and sharing more about how to approach resolving dilemmas like making a choice between two worthwhile, good activities. I'd say there was a pretty even split between people that thought a) go to bible study, b) go to the game and c) think outside the box and figure a means of combining the two together in some way.

That was pretty interesting to me and shows how honest, good, trained, loving people can approach issues differently. I especially loved the responses that were in category c) because that is kind of what I was thinking.

To whit, here's how I decided to resolve this little, intsy conflict:

I decided to post a biblically based question on my blog and invite my OAG to dialog with me on it. So, by my way of thinking.. I participated in an OAG meeting this week: in the blog-o-space. So, that being done.. and having had a good chance to meditate and dialog on God's word... I'm off in a little bit to the game. Oh, and Diane the complete wonderful person that she is dropped of some cookies last night that I get to take to the game and share. Sweeet!!

Have a great dinner and discussion!

See you next week!

Proverbs 11:14: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22: "Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established."

You might be curious.. asking what do these verses have to do with me? Well, I was hoping I could solicit your counsel as I wrestle with a difficult decision. You game?

Here's the issue. There are two events tomorrow evening that I would love to participate in. However, they are overlapping in time and miles apart.. so a decision needs to be made. Where will I be spending my time?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Your wise counsel. What you would do?

Opportunity #1: One Another Group at the Smiths
This is a meeting of our group bible study that occurs every Wednesday evening.
Considerations:

• Mrs. Smith (Diane) cooks dinner for everyone.. and that woman can COOK!
• Need to stop eating like a pig and lose a few pounds!
• The distinct possibility is always present that Diane will make some of her world famous cookies!
• Opportunity to dig into God's word
• Opportunity to share what God is doing in other people's lives
• Many more Wednesdays in life
• The spiritual benefits of spending time in the Word!
• Screaming at people during the evening is strongly discouraged

Opportunity #2: Mitty vs. Bellarmine Basketball Game
This is a meeting of our favorite high school basketball team as they take on a difficult West Catholic league foe. Considerations:

• Consession stand food only (or none at all... probably better!)
• Brandon always scores 30 points when I am NOT there ;)
• Opportunity to show love and support for a dear set of friends
• Since Brandon's graduating this year.. there are precious few opportunities like this left in my lifetime
• Screaming at people is encouraged/expected
• Opportunity to apply what I have learned in bible study in real life
  

Monta's Back!!

That's right.. Monta (mon-tay) Ellis of the Golden State Warriors is back and he can still fly! He's been out nursing an injury he got while riding on a scooter. He's $3 Million lighter in the wallet.. as the Warriors were a bit bothered that he was ON the scooter. But that's all behind us.

Julie is very excited to see him back! That's her sitting on the edge of her seat enjoying the action.















We also picked up Hannah, Mike and Maggie from school and brought them to the game. And they were good luck because the Warrior's killed the L.A. Clippers! Mike's actually wearing an LA baseball cap.. but we're letting that go!














Thanks to our friend Randy for inviting us and making it an awesome night out.

P.S. Eileen.. your husband really misses you!

Engagement Jumping Picture!

Head's up sports fan... but 2009 is off to a blazing start! First, Joel and Carissa got hitched.. leaving us some amazing images. Then, Hannah pumps up a blog and it's game on.

Now, Jon and Rachel are bringing it big time with this effort. Yep, Jon and Rachel went to San Francisco and more precisely Fort Point - just below the Golden Gate bridge - to have some engagement photos taken. And this one is MONEY!













The bar is clearly set sky high for best jumping picture of 2009! Yeah, that's right.. but here's a couple of kids that aren't afraid get air in an attempt to get over that bar!


















Determining the best jumping picture involves applying a very complex algorithm factoring in location, number of people, attire, expression, attention to detail, vetical lift, degree of difficulty (high heels!), etc. But, these are going to be awfully hard to beat!

You've got 11&1/2 months to try! Get on it!

P.S. Note the extremely high marks that Rachel gets for color coordinating her shoes with the bridge! Sha-boo-ya!

THE 2009 DOGGIES

Okay.. inspired by our recent THE 2008 BLOGGIES... and the fact that today Julie made her annual trek to the 2009 Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show at the Cow Palace.. we bring you THE 2009 DOGGIES.

That's Julie rushing to get into the show!















Along to assist in the judging of this competition were Hannah and her boyfriend Mike. We'll tell you more about Jimmy J - seen below - a little later.




















HUMAN DIVISION AWARDS

BEST DOG WANABE
Here's dog wanabe Hannah - looking her best and wishing she was leading the doggy life!



















FUTURES AWARD
This picture best represents what I am going to look like when I am 85 and Julie keeps bringing me to the dog show! I think this picture captures the intense level of interest I will have in the goings on!



















BEST T-SHIRT AWARD
Way to get your priorities straight!
















CANINE DIVISION AWARDS

DOG MOST IN NEED OF MORE SENSITIVE OWNERS - SMALL DOGS
Okay.. when it's .. ummm.. that time of month (or the year as the case may be).. perhaps it's not the right time to take me to the dog show. Perhaps you could stop thinking so much about yourself and have some respect for me and not drag me around in this little get-up. Think about it!



















DOG MOST IN NEED OF MORE SENSITIVE OWNERS - LARGE DOG
Are you calling me fat?



















DOGS MATCHING BACKGROUND
Check out these three beautiful Irish Wolfhounds. These are 'our people's dogs' according to Hannah!












CUTEST SMILE
What a gorgeous underbite!



















BIGGEST BOOGER
That's one big booger coming out of that dog. But, at over 160 pounds.. whose gonna tell him?
















MOST IN NEED OF A HAIRCUT
Can you find this dog's eyes? Neither could we. Not sure just what that is all about.. but the owner was mighty proud.. and we are as well to tell you this dog is a 2009 DOGGIES award winner!



















DOG MOST LIKELY TO GET BEAT UP BY OTHER DOGS
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
















DOG MOST LIKELY TO DO THE BEATING
Meet Jimmy J - a 215 lb English Mastiff. That's Hannah and Mike hanging off the back of him... holding him back from beating the crap out of that girly poodle above. Way to apply your peaceful conflict resolution skills!



















MOST LIKELY TO JOIN THE BIGGEST LOSER COUPLES SHOW
Here's a couple Matiffs that tip the scale at a combined 340 lbs! Pretty impressive. Don't they look so happy together? They say that after a couple has been together a few years they start to look similar. No argument here.















RECENT WINNERS - THE BIGGEST LOSER COUPLES
Here's the 2008 entrants in the biggest loser competition. Jillian Michaels kicked their butts relentlessly! Starting out at a combined weight of over 360 lbs.. they succeeded in losing over 95% of their body weight to score an impressive win. Let's hope they keep the weight off.

Go Eagles!

I wanted to share with you some pictures my sister Lurinda took. This weekend she had an awe inspiring opportunity to travel to a spot in Illinois where bald eagles are known to migrate to during the winter. She went with her faithful sidekick Lori;) I only spent a few minutes talking with her - but it appears they saw over 75 bald eagles during their brief visit over the weekend.. which I find pretty amazing!

She tells me she took over 3000 pictures! And I got her to email a couple quick samples that I can share with you. When she gets back and has a chance to look through her haul... she's going to pass more along!

Little Miss Mother Lode 1989

Okay blog-o-peeps.. it's been awhile since our last cash reward competition.

I noticed that we just crowned a new Miss America. And it got me thinking about another famous pageant winner. Plus, I've got $5 just burning a hole in my pocket. So, welcome to our first Cash Quiz of 2009!

Here's the deal. I'll send $5 to the first person that can identify the winner of the prestigious Little Miss Mother Load competition in 1989. Best of luck to all!

P.S. Double prize money if the winner can identify the girl to the left of the winner.. the one that looks pretty hacked off at the results!

THE 2008 BLOGGIES

January is traditionally a month in which major media organizations within the USA and abroad celebrate achievements from the previous year. The Team Henderson blog is pleased to join the chorus by announcing its excellence in blogging awards.

Welcome to the Team HEnderson 2008 BLOG Greatest Items Ever Seen - or simply, THE 2008 BLOGGIES! 2008 was an outstanding year and the competition was fierce. However, voting was simplified by our lead writer making unencumbered, unilateral decisions in each category ;)

Congratulations to all our winners! And now, without further ado, on to the awards!

FOREIGN ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

BEST FOREIGN BLOG
Buckner’s Buzz http://bucknersbuzz.blogspot.com/
The inspiration for the Team Henderson blog – this blog epitomizes excellent in blogging. Written and (hardly ever) edited by Joanne Buckner – this blog presents a wide ranging array of subjects – featuring, in recurring roles, her three amazing children, husband, and dog Jaci.

BEST FOREIGN BLOG ENTRY - WRITING
August 28: The Proposal

by Joel Henderson and Carissa Schutter (not yet Henderson)
This story in dual voices exemplifies the art of encapsulating a moment in time using language. Critics heralded the piece as an instant classic.

BEST FOREIGN PICTURE
Nov 23: Sweet Victory!
Hannah Henderson and her friend Emily are captured at the moment of Big Game victory. This image is particularly effective when considering the photographer was also the subject. This picture – tastefully cropped by the editor - evokes the excitement and exhilaration only possible by dominating Stanford!

ACHIEVEMENTS IN WRITING

BEST BLOG TITLE
Dec 16: Oh No.. Jo.. b’fo Ho Ho Ho.. it’s Snow!
"A rhyming tour-de-force" chimes Times magazine! "I love it like a fat kid loves cake" says 50-cent!

BEST BLOG ENTRY - FICTION
June 6: Elsie: Harley Babe
In this entry – legendary figure - (then) 82 year old Elsie Ness - explores her physical, emotion and sensual connection to the Hog. Not since Jack Nicholson bared his backside in the movie Something's Gotta Give have we seen a more honest portrayal of octogenarian romance. Yet, this selection reigns as one of our most controversial BLOGGIES given the growing rank of pundits that debate its status as fiction.

BEST BLOG ENTRY - NON-FICTION (ALL)

April 22: It’s a (Very) Small World

This epic, chronicalling the early Joel and Carissa days, spans 3 generations and thousands of miles to clearly present the evidence of God's unseen hand in the events of man.

BEST BLOG ENTRY - NON-FICTION (GUEST)

Feb 20: Cow Palace Dog Show

A touching story by Julie, mirroring human and canine friendship forged in the journey of life.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION – BEST BANNED BLOG ENTRY
June 8: Harley Babe in Training – Janice Griffioen.
This story – eventually banned from the blog by our executive editor, Julie – highlighted the life of Janice Griffioen as she took her first baby steps in becoming a full-fledged Harley babe. Revered by early reviewers as a triumph in bad taste.. this entry, alas, was removed before it could find widespread acceptance and acclaim.


ACHIEVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY

BEST USE OF PICTURES IN STORY TELLING
April 22: It’s a (Very) Small World
An 8 Act story spanning many locations and thousands of miles – this blog entry recounts the story of inbreeding in small towns.

BEST PICTURE – SCENIC

December 2: Holland 2
If only the photographer could have captured this image in spring! Still, the beautiful colors and contrasts make this our editor’s selection for 2008!

BEST PICTURE - JUMPING
Dec 27: Jumping Pictures and More
This highly competitive genre was dominated this year by one picture. Congratulations to the winners.

BEST PICTURE - SENIOR DIVISION
June 11: Nephew’s Rule
Unknown newcomer Martha comes out of nowhere to grasp victory from perennial winner Elsie in this beautiful portrait of beloved neighbors. Special thanks to Lurinda Shrauger for the use of her Nikon to capture this award winner.

BEST PICTURE - SIBLINGS
Dec 24: This Really Happened!
In a staggering upset– Joel Henderson is shut out of this category for the first time ever! Yes, this picture of Rachel and Hannah, siblings, tops 2008! Congrats.

BEST PICTURE – CROSS GENERATIONAL
June 10: Oh What Fun it is to Ride…
A rare combination of athletic prowess and emotional joy combine to bring us this best picture spanning generations. This was truly one of blog managements all time 2008 favorites! Enjoy!

BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR
Our only tie - this award is shared between..

June 6: Elsie: Harley Babe
John Griffioen is the subject of the distinguished picture of the year award winner. The simplicity of the picture, which captures the subject in his element is both technically pleasing and esthetically satisfying. A 2008 best of!

Oct 5: The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

Rachel Massey highlights this artistic rendering of life through the pumpkin colored looking glass - a triumph of color, composition and craftsmanship!

ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMMENTING

MOST COMMENTS – INDIVIDUAL BLOG ENTRY
July 14: HJ-112 Rest in Peace
This poignant, insightful, commentary on the loss of a fallen comrade received 15 comments; more than any other 2008 blog entry. Demonstrating that blog readers will rally support to the fallen – this award jointly goes to all who made this entry the winner.

BEST BLOG COMMENT
Dec 23: Admissions of a Fiction Writer
Succinct, flattering, evocative! That’s what it takes to win in this category – as Joel Henderson did in 2008!

His comment:
"Another golden nugget coated in chocolate sarcasm! Ummmmmm, tastes good!"

MOST HIGH-BROW COMMENT
April 15: Get a Job
Being long on big words, flattering, and intellectually stimulating are the keys to success in this category. This entry represents an astounding degree of sophistication and flair; as Joel quite easily distanced himself from the crowd with this award winning effort!

His comment:
You're just a regular Flannery O'Connor aren't you :D Nicely done. The pictures add an appropriate amount of verisimilitude to keep people wondering. The ending is particularly well-crafted, bringing the story back full-circle with a ring-composition and using indirect imagery to close the denouement, allowing the readers' own experiences of the "calm after the storm" to inform their unique visuals of mom asleep on the couch. Again, nicely done.

BEST COMEBACK BY BLOG MANAGEMENT TO COMMENT
April 15: Get a Job
Demonstrating a dogged determination and willingness to dig into the back story surrounding a comment in order to respond with unique and appealing prose, this category highlights the quick mind, internet search, and cut and paste skills of our management staff. Touche!
Our comment:
Joel.. as most of our readers will know.. Flannery O'Connor is really Mary Flannery O'Connor. When O'Connor was five she taught a chicken to walk backwards, and it was this that led to her first experience of being a celebrity.

2008 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Elsie Ness – 83 and loving being on the ‘bloggin’.
This multiple 2008 THE BLOGGIES nominee and award winner exemplifies what it means to be alive and thrive at 83. We are proud to award this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Elsie Ness!

It's (almost) Your Birthday!

Happy Birthday (almost!) to Karen with whom we celebrated tonight! I say almost because her actual birthday is Wednesday - but this was the night we chose to get together and honor her! So I guess that counts! Right??!

Some of Karen's girlfriends came over to help celebrate! Here's a picture of Rachel, Katie Fischer and Karen. Also, check out the second picture. It's the best balloon (a rose) that I think I have ever seen. Auntie certainly has a gift for finding unique and meaningful decorations. You Rock Pinksta!



















After we all had assembled we had a great birthday feast! Tim did an amazing rib roast, Julie made real mashed potatoes and garlic bread, Auntie made a fabulous salad (whose presentation was par-excellent) and others made rolls and on and on. It was delicious and fattening and everything a feast is supposed to be.

After dinner Karen opened presents. Here's Karen showing off some of the booty!



















Then we sliced into the most delightful of confections (all hail Auntie!).. the cake you see below. The second picture is Karen licking the wrapper that went around the cake until it was served. It was that yummy!



















We finished the evening off with a couple games of prediction. It was a nice end to spending a birthday with one of the nicest young women you will ever find. We love you Karen. Happy Birthday from Team Henderson!

4.0!!

I am so pleased to share with you that Hannah got a 4.0 (perfect) GPA at Berkeley last semester!

That girl is 'hecka smart'!!!!

We are proud of Hannah for so many reasons. I mean, there are SO MANY fabulous things about Hannah other than academic achievement!

However, today we celebrate your big, phatty, brain and competitive spirit Hannah! Well done!

Mom and Dad

Blog Browsing by Labels

Did you notice?

Check out the left column of the blog. You know, the one that includes "Who are we?", "Blogs you should check out" and more.

Scroll to the bottom of the column. There's a new feature there called "Select Blog Entries by Topic". Under that header is a number of 'labels' with parentheses () that include the number of blog entries that include that topic.

As an example: basketball (5)

That means there are 5 blog entries that have been posted as of today that include references to basketball. If you just want to read the basketball related entries... click on the 'basketball'. It will bring up a blog page that includes all the related articles. How cool is that?

Julie's the big winner so far (as she should be!). Oh, and that second julie.. 'julie l' - is julie logan!

And which school has more posts.. UofM or MSU?... actually neither. It's Berkeley - Go Bears!

My personal favorites? hmmm... try out 'sarcasm' ;)

Enjoy.

Glad to Help!

Hey, folks. Ever heard of Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen?

Well, I just want to congratulate Team Henderson (primarily Jules and Joel) for making this guy's life all that it can be. How good is Kjeld's life? Pretty good - at least financially.

So, how did we help? Did you help too? Keep reading!

If you liked building things as a child, there's a good chance you'll recognize Kjeld's family's business.

Kristiansen's grandfather founded the Danish company Lego in 1932. At first, his grandfather crafted wood toys in a carpentry shop but in 1949 the company invented what would become its most famous product.

Yes, that's right folks.... 1949 not only brought us Tim Logan.. it brought us Legos. What a year! Ummmm... and I think that makes Tim, like 60 years old next month. Whoa!

Oops... back to Legos. Did you know that at the time, the stackable plastic pieces with studs on top were called the Automatic Binding Brick? Not too catchy a name for 3 year olds!

Instead, today, they simply call them Legos. The name 'LEGO' is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt", meaning "play well". And they sell well! Legos is currently the world's sixth-largest toymaker by sales.

So, how did it work out for Kjeld? The company's success led Fortune magazine very recently to peg Kristiansen's net worth at $6.5 billion. How much is that? That's a lotta Legos! Or Julie, to put it in perspective.. that's more than Oprah's worth!

P.S. check out the sculpture of Brickley the Lego Sea Serpent made of Lego bricks that Joel made on his 7th birthday! (just kidding.. it actually is at Walt Disney Resort.. but Joel definitely COULD have made it!).

P.S.S. did you know that Joel still receives Legos every year for this birthday (and usually Christmas)?

Friends and Family

During Joel and Carissa’s wedding reception I had the distinct honor of toasting the bride and groom.

I didn’t have a prepared speech, or toast, in the sense that I planned or wrote out and memorized what I was going to say. However, I had been praying and asking God to provide me some insights from my life that perhaps I could pass along to the newlyweds and their guests. During that process of praying, listening and reflecting the two words that kept coming to mind were ‘friends’ and ‘family’.

Julie will be the first person to tell you that I simply can not remember conversations – or for that matter what I say - verbatim (word by word). So, no attempt will be made to reproduce, exactly, my words. But, I would like to attempt to capture the essence of my comments that night because they reflect my heart’s truest feelings for all of you that read this blog – my friends and family – as much as they do for Joel and Carissa as they start their new life together.

It went something (I think) like this:

As I look around this evening I see a mystery of God at work – forming this community of friends and family to bless and celebrate Joel and Carissa’s marriage. I refer to it as a mystery – not only because of the mystery that God can take two parts people and one part Holy Spirit and make a new family. But, because in my life the distinction between family and friends is a mysterious blur. I have been exceedingly blessed with friends in my lifetime. Blessed to the point that many of you I once thought of as my close friends I now reckon, in the privacy of my own thoughts, my closest family. And many of you that started out or have over the years joined my family, I now have the distinct pleasure of counting among my closest friends. Tonight, as a result of this wedding – we are adding new family members whom I wholeheartedly look forward to becoming close friends. And to you, Joel and Carissa, I am so pleased, as I look at you, to see two people that started as friends. I am so very happy for both of you that your relationship blossomed and grew into a great friendship and now into a brand new family. I think the path through friendship to family is a most precious gift. Treasure it! Here’s to God from whom all blessings flow – especially the blessings of great friends and family. And here's to the bride and groom!


















P.S. Hey, I never noticed this until I posted this blog entry and the pictures.. but how cool is the Henderson family crest that is behind Joel and Carissa! I was so mesmerized by the bride and groom I didn't even notice it at the wedding! Sweeet!

P.S.S. Thanks to Joanne whose eagle eyes noticed the note next to the cake. It reads: "Cake Topper used by Wes and Lily Hartley January 12, 1947, Salem, Oregon" Wes and Lily are Carissa's maternal grandparents.

Random Acts To Share

It's been a challenge to keep up with sharing on the blog with so many fun things going on... so here's some relatively random pictures of events... just to catch up!

Here's a couple pictures I took of Jon and Rachel one day when we were out and about. I think they turned out really good. The trick I used here is to 'fill flash' the subject... meaning that I used the flash even though there was a lot of light outside.. because the light was behind them. In this way, their faces are completely exposed with light (thanks Tim for the reminder)!



















Here's another picture of them ... with Jon about to 'Yreka' me ;) To understand that you have to know that once Julie got a ticket in Yreka, CA during a trip to visit Joel in Salem. Now, you know that the Hendersons are definitely a family of traditions. Some of them more obscure and odd than others! Well, as you might be able to guess at this point.. there is a certain tradition we do when we drive by Yreka (we NEVER go into their city anymore!) now. If you can't guess what it is... good for you ;)



















Now, thinking about imaginative poses.. here's an interesting pose for Hannah. I'm not flexible enough to do this.. so I was impressed ;) You know, when I asked her to look at the camera..I kind of expected her to turn at the waist instead of bending over and looking through their legs. Obviously, my bad for not thinking outside the box!



















Oh, and speaking of flexible.. ever seen Elsie pole-dance? How about playing horse-shoes? Now you have! We had sooooo much fun with Elsie while she was here! And I think she loved hanging with all our friends and family! We love you Grandma! And, yes, you are on the 'log' again ;)



















Well, since we're talking about horse-shoes... this is a good time to share with you that Hannah, Julie and a bunch of their friends went horseback riding the other morning over in Half Moon Bay at the Sea Horse Ranch. They went at 8:00 am and the weather was fantastic. Here's a few highlights of their 2 hour ride!










































































And while we're on the subject of horses... here's a couple pictures of Tim and Grandma Elsie trying to keep up. Shhhh... nobody tell them that the horses aren't real!





























Finally, here's a great picture of Auntie and her favorite horse! How's that for chaining a bunch of seemingly unrelated events together Joel? ;)



















BTW... it's 70 degrees and sunny this afternoon. So, it's off for a run for me!

With much love!

P.S. I was thinking fondly of Julie's mom, Sharon, as I re-read this entry. I used to laugh at how she could 'chain' together a bunch of un-related events into one big long story at times. I guess some of her skills rubbed off on me. I know they did on Joanne! She was a lot of fun and I miss her!