Disneyland!

Last year when Julie (Logan) Winslow got married we got tickets to visit Disneyland the day afterwards (she was married just down the street).  Well - what we didn't plan for was the torrential downpour that would accompany the weekend - washing out of trip.

The pre-paid tickets were good for a year, so as the Winslow's first anniversary approached it was time to get back to Disneyland for a visit.  So, we loaded Jon and Rachel, Hannah and Eric and Julie and I and headed off.

Here we are arriving Saturday morning!

Hannah just had to have this sequined set of mouse ears.  Doesn't she look like she's having fun?

We've never been to California Adventure Land - but we got park hopper passes and were off to that side of the park in the afternoon.  One of the rides the kids and Julie tried was California Screamer.  And a screamer it was!  The rides takes off like a aircraft leaving a aircraft carrier.  This is a picture taken about 1 second into the ride.  Look at Julie!!  Hahaha!

Here's Eric trying his best to free Excalibur.  A nice try.

It wouldn't be a Henderson vacation without a jumping picture... now would it?

Here's the kids getting ready to go on Space Mountain.  Yep, Julie and I too!

Hannah just loves visiting the Princess Fantasy Faire to hang with her sisters.  Here she is with Julie and Rachel and Eric as well as Mulan, Ariel and Belle.

Jon and Rachel stopped to get their picture taken with a couple of the Car's stars.

 Rachel as a wookie?  Hannah and Eric waiting to get on the Star Wars tour.

Interestingly, the day we went they were taping their Disney Christmas Day Parade for broadcast Christmas morning.  Because you're supposed to believe it is actually a live event - they had to tape in during the morning.  Saturday it was.  So, look for us on TV.  ok?

All in all it was a great day!

Family Update via Karen and Andy's Wedding!

I haven't yet communicated with the bride and groom  - and don't like my chances for the next few days :). 

So, I'm not going to post any pictures of the bride and groom.  But, we here at Team Henderson do want to officially congratulate Kandy (Karen + Andy) on their sweet wedding.  We had a blast.

Additionally, we can take advantage of their delightful soiree last Sunday to offer up a little family update. 

Did we mention that Hannah's (finally!) back in California?  Well, after having trekked across Europe and most recently the heartland of America with Eric she (and Eric) arrived back home last Friday.  Clearly, my beautiful daughter is no worse for the wear!  And mom is soooo glad to have her back.

Here's a picture of the usual suspects.  It's rewarding to look at a picture like this and realize that we have been so blessed in our lives.  This picture is a fitting juxtaposition of lifelong friends, family and the new.  We take none of them for granted.

And speaking of new ... I don't think we've had a picture of Julie and Evan and baby James yet.  I guess this one should be titled 'introducing baby bump James Winslow'. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know it seems like 2010/11 was/is all about the Logans.  After all, Julie and Evan got married last December, Tim and Barbara in March and now Karen and Andy in June.  Sadly, I think we've plumb run out of Logans to get married.. but let's just say.. they still look like they're all having fun.

Should we call these 'agony and ecstasy?  Or just super cute?

Where will life take us next?

Hannah's Big Day!

Today was Hannah's day.  We are proud to tell you that she received her BS in Business Administration from the University of California Berkeley Haas Business School.  The celebrating started early this morning with Julie gifting Hannah with a lei.

The graduation occurred in the Greek Theater at the campus.  It was very emotional seeing Hannah walk in during the processional.

She looked jubilant as she walked in.
 

Ryan got a special call out for showing up in his Cal polo shirt.

Here's a better picture of the venue.

 

After wonderful speeches honoring the graduates - it was time to receive her diploma.  With tears in our eyes we proudly watched as Hannah was honored.

 

And, if you know Hannah - you know there is going to be a celebration!

Here she is sitting between her friends Calvin and Graeme in the student section.  Don't you love Calvin's outfit?

That's Hannah's cap sailing through the air.  Nailed the picture.

After the festivities it was time for a reception at the business school.  It was great to see Maggie again (it's been months!) and Calvin.

And we got a bit of a tour of the facilities.  FINALLY.. here it is folks.  A picture of Hannah in a classroom during college!  Hahaha.

Julie and I are immensely proud of the young woman Hannah has become during her college years.  We are so thankful to God for holding her in His hand throughout this journey.  We're thankful for the friends that she developed and maintained through her years at Berkeley that form a solid foundation for her future.  And we are thankful to God for the grand odyssey that God entrusted to us when he brought a little red-headed ball of joy into our lives almost 22 years ago.

We are all excited for her future.  And we are thankful for those family members that were able to be here in person to witness her graduation and cheer her on.

And we are thankful for the Godly influence and support of our family members, through the generations, that have directly led her to this moment.

Our prayer, our wish for Hannah is that God would continue to be an important part of her life and that He might guide her through a most adventuresome, rewarding and meaningful life.

The Flying Henderlogans

Last Christmas I gave Joel and Jon (Logan) certificates for indoor skydiving lessons and a couple of flights at iFly.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to schedule flights while everyone was in town for Christmas.

Hannah's graduation was a great opportunity to get everyone together and flying.  So, I got her an appointment as well and off we went.  Jon and Joel were ready to go!

Here's Hannah practicing her upside down flying.  (or I flipped the picture upside down.. hmmm..)

We started with some flight training.. (by watching a 3 minute video).  In it, they explain that we are going to be flying in wind produced by 4 250 HP fans.  Pretty sweet.  Then, off we went to get our gear on.

Then, it was our turn.  We nominated Hannah to fly first because this is her special, graduation weekend.  Here she is flying next to the instructor.

Joel absolutely loved it - as you can see by the expression on his face ;)

Here's Hannah on her second flight.  Impressive!  She did so great the instructor was basically just getting out of her way and letting her fly.

Ok.. I went too.  I know, I look ridiculous - but it was a lot of fun.  It's hard to look good when you've got 120 MPH find in your face ;)

This is Joel's form.  It's pretty awesome.  You want to have your arms up near your head and a natural arch in your bag.  He did great.

And the instructor makes sure you're in good form.

Jon did the best.  He was so stable during flight the instructor started teaching him how to spin left and right.  Show off ;)

That's right... we ALL graduated.  Flippin Sweet!!!