After Christmas bargins

Can you believe it's 60 degrees here in Kansas City as I write this? Tomorrow is going to be a different story, so we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

This morning Todd came with me as I went after-Christmas shopping. It's always fun to have his company, but I spend 75% more while he's along. I'm the one trying to put things back, while he's telling me to go ahead, get it, we'll use it, etc. Soooo very tempting, and yes, I gave in:-) It was like Christmas all over again! Minus the bill.

Christmas was a wonderful day. Being together as a family is a priceless treasure.

My sister, Susan, gave me this popcorn bowl for Christmas. Isn't it great? It will never get used as a popcorn bowl because it's WAY TOO CUTE! Thanks, Susan--you're so kind. And it's so much better than TUNA and anything related to tuna :)

It's Christmas in Kansas City!

These North Dakotan transplants are right at home in the "bitter" cold that Kansas City is experiencing...

SO, what did we do when it was MINUS 2 degrees two days ago? Yes, we went for a run outside (unheard of in this "cold"!), and we also BBQ'd steaks in honor of Brandon and Julie's arrival. We are enjoying every minute of their company.

One of the things a Kansas City Christmas for the Hendricksons has included is ice skating at the Crown Center downtown. I'm pleased to report NO FALLS by any of us. Matt had never been ice skating before, can you believe that? He was skating backwards, slowly, before we were done. Nathan easily glided across the ice but Todd, by far, was the best skater out of all of us. Must have something to do with his Wyoming upbringing.



The lights on the plaza really were pretty as well as the fountains.

We warmed up with dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. Delicious food and great company!

This morning as Brandon and Julie left to drive up to North Dakota to visit her family a freezing rain hit. They slid their way to the interstate, and crawled their way north. Thankfully the weather cleared 30 miles out of KC.

A Tribute to Matt: Facing Change

Matt, our senior, is going through a lot of changes this year, probably more so than any of us. He's found himself out on the basketball floor once again only to find there are changes there as well.

For one he's playing on a varsity team of one of the largest high schools in Missouri. Second, the pace and speed is much faster than he was use to in North Dakota. Another change is the strength and athleticism of his peers and finally, he's a racial minority. Oh, and instead of red and white, it's crimson and silver.

He sees his weaknesses but we see his potential. He brings to the court many positives that he doesn't give himself credit for: his disciplined style and basic fundamentals, his hard work ethic, and his coachability Matt doesn't see a lot of it in his fellow players and neither do we.

Knowing what he gave up his senior year in athletics for us as a family to be together pains our hearts. However, change IS good. We see many new and wonderful qualities Matt's developing. His past and what could have been is gone now, and there is liberation in admitting that fact. His success depends on his ability to let go of the "what might have beens/could have beens" and focus on the "what difference I can make NOW". He's been doing that in other areas of his life through this move, but now it's shifting to the court. "Come what may and love it!" Thanks, Matt, for your good example of perserving the ups and downs. Hang in there--the best is yet to come.

Cool Date

I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but last night at 11:59 pm I found myself out on a date with my handsome 19 year old son and many other squealing fans (98% female) for the premier of "Twilight." Nathan was suppose to come too, but he had a basketball game earlier in the evening, and with the prospects of a 5:45 AM wake up for seminary and a full day of school, then basketball practice, he opted out, leaving Garrett and I to brave the crowds. Garrett gave it two thumbs up, but I was a little more skeptical. The BEST thing about the late/early movie was the awesome young man I was with-- mother-son time is priceless.

Wait a minute--didn't I pay for the date? Garrett, you owe me one!

Traditions (Go Cougs!)

Traditions are a vital part of our family. Some of our traditions are material, some are spiritual, and ideally they all strengthen our family.

November brings with it our 4th annual (now it's a tradition) trip to BYU for a football game. This year was doubly fun because Brandon and Julie are there at school so we were able to spend time with them as well. We saw more of Brandon because Julie works for BYU. She is in charge of organizing and prepping the concessions at sporting events at BYU, and right now that's basketball and football games. We arrived in time to go to a basketball game and and then the football game on Saturday. She spoiled us with all kinds of concessions. So while we ate and ate and ate, oh, and enjoyed the game(s), she was hard at work behind the scenes. Julie's co-worker invented a "Brat-tail". It sounds disgusting as it's a polish sausage inside a maple donut but it actually tastes ok. Apparently getting to be a popular item.

Umm, doesn't that look good? I know, I know..but you'd be surprised.

We had Julie pause for a quick picture of her just before the football game....She had already been at work for 6 hours and had 7 more until her day ended. Julie rocks!

And while in Provo, we couldn't pass by another TRADITION: Hiking the "Y" mountain. Sounds easier than it really is for flat-landers. This time it wasn't 102 degrees and guess what? It's much easier when it's only 55 degrees.

We met with as many Allred Cousins as we could get a hold of, another TRADITION, at the Creamery on 9th. Is that place ever NOT busy? We were grateful that so many cousins took time out to come to visit with us (was it the lure of free ice cream or our company?!): Christian and Natalie Allred and her friend, Janet Scoresby, Kent and his friend, Brittany, Susanna and Loren Allred.

We wanted a few more senior pictures of Matthew, so we attempted to take a few...it's torture on us all as he makes it difficult.


We're learning that time with family is a precious gift. Busy schedules take people every direction but we love the time we have together and look forward to our next family TRADITION.