Swimming

Clarissa enjoying the pool...

Corey and Seth in the water, Bethany on ladder, and Joss and Clare on deck.

Aidan loved the pool, he refused to wear a lifejacket (which scared me to death) but he loved puddling around in the little yellow ring.

It has been very hot lately, and not to mention HUMID!!! We spent some time at the Moran's pool to cool off. Brother Moran is our Stake Patriarch and his wife Sharie, is absolutely amazing, I just love them both so very much. Anyway, the kids had a blast, stayed cool and I had a fun time as well, it had been a while since I had been swimming.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men in my life...

Father's Day is always a hard one for me. I really miss my dad. He was a wonderful father, I remember life lessons he taught me, how just a disappointed look from him was the worst punishment I could ever get. I hated to disappoint him. I loved his smile, his whole face lit up. I loved how proud he was of his family. I loved how much he loved sports and how excited he got when his team won. I loved seeing him sitting in his recliner with a kid on his lap. I hated seeing him sad. I never wanted him to be sad. I think he would have been the best Grandpa in the whole world. My kids can't wait to be with him in the Celestial Kingdom, and have their grandpa to play with. I miss you Dad, Happy Father's Day, I love you Dad!
Love,
Judy
To my wonderful husband and the father of my children. I love you so much. We have been married for 20 and a half years now, and I love you more than ever. Thank you for always being there for all of us. Thank you for being so patient and loving, it can't be easy being the father of 9 children, not to mention being married to me. Thank you for honoring your Priesthood and the covenants we have made in the temple. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to our children, thank you for being you. We love you with all of your hearts for all eternity.
Happy Father's Day sweetheart! I love you for all eternity and longer...
Love,
Judy

To my wonderful brothers...
I have seen Michael, Scott and David all in the act (not really an act) of being incredible dads. Painting daughters nails, doing their hair, supporting their girls in anything they hoped to do. Being sweet and loving and encouraging. I have seen them loving and playing with their sons and being there for them at all times. Just so you know, I have been watching, and I am impressed with all you do. And I know Rob, isn't far behind, he is a wonderful uncle and brother, his kids will have it great as well. To my sweet brothers, I love you all, Happy Father's Day!

And to my Brothers-in-law, I love you guys too, here is to Sam, Dave and Brian, Happy Father's Day. To the wonderful father in you all.

Love,

Judy

Seth's Baptism

The family minus mom (I am taking the shot), and James (well, he is in South America)

Harry and Seth

Aidan, Harry, Seth and Joss

Seth was baptized today, and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are so proud of our little guy. He was so adorable, and had such big boy answers to all the questions asked of him. When he was asked what "CTR" meant, he didn't just say, "Choose the Right", he tried to explain what it meant and how to do it. Congratulations Seth, you have now entered the "Gate".

Joslynn's 2nd Birthday

Her Tinkerbell Cake

Big cheesy Birthday Smile

The temptation is too great!

Up close with the nap cam...

Sleeping Beauty

This is what dreams are made of...

Whether you call her Jo-Jo, Baby J., Joss or Joslynn, she had a great Birthday. She sang Happy Birthday to herself all day. Whenever you said, "Happy Birthday" to her, she responded with a big, "Happy Birthday to you". She got a pink toddler sleigh bed for her birthday. She was so excited to have a "big girl" bed. She also got a Dora figure to play with (Aidan has the Diego figures,so they can play together), and the Mermaid Dora bath doll. So, she had at least 3 baths on her birthday. It was very hot and humid and she had a wet head all day, sweaty,yuk!

She took a nap in her bed on her birthday and I got some shots of the sleeping birthday girl.

Happy Birthday Joslynn!!!!!

Seth's First Cub Scout Day Camp

The Scavenger Hunt

Seth making a puzzle frame for the recycling lesson

Seth "Smashing" at Badminton

Lunch entertainment...juggling fire sticks

Seth and Billy

Seth and Drew (his best friend) playing UNO

Seth launching his airplane...

After making his foam airplane and launcher

Seth learning about making a sundial...

Yesterday was Seth's first day of Cub Scout Day Camp. I went along as a Den walker and helped out. I had been to Cub Scout Day camp with both Ethen and Corey since I was Primary president at the time, and I wasn't too impressed with the leaders or the camp. This time was different, it was well organized and the leaders were much better with the kids. Seth had a great time, he did many different activities. He learned how to make a sundial, and tell the time from the sun, he made a foam airplane that you could launch with a rubber band, he played Uno with his best friend Drew and won 6 out of 9 times, he learned how to play badminton and totally rocked at it. He even beat one of the leaders. He learned about recycling and made a picture frame from a cardboard box and puzzle pieces. And he ended the day with a scavenger hunt, which we found everything but a feather on the list. He has activities all the rest of this week, including swimming on Thursday. Today, I didn't go with him, but I felt kind of bad sending him out, it was raining, I hope the poncho helps keep him dry.

Clarissa... Kid Number 6

Our Little Clare...

Bethany, James and Clarissa at the Nauvoo Temple

Clarissa Evelyn Henderson our 6th child is our "Scout" so to speak. She is always prepared. Even if we are jumping in the van to pick up kids or run errands, she has to be fully prepared for any adventure. This could mean snacks, books, paper, pencil, toys ...whatever, she will be prepared. I must say it has come in handy many times. She will be the one with a water bottle and a few snacks to share. If we ever have a need for 72 hour kits, I want to hang out with her, she will have the good stuff, and P.S. she is always willing to share. She has a quick temper, but a very loving spirit as well. She loves making cards and books, and creating things (crafts) out of ordinary everyday things. She has a bit of her dad in her and loves having things clean(not always the process of getting there, but the end result)and she always keeps her room clean. She has been know to make her bed with a sister still in it. She has also been known to not let anyone sit on furniture, or the floor for that matter, after she has cleaned a room. She is a great helper when she wants to be, and I really appreciate all her hard work and willingness to help. Her new favorite show on TLC, is called Cake Boss, she loves watching all the gorgeous cakes they make. She also loves all the HGTV decorating shows, and the reality shows like...Jon and Kate plus 8 (or as Seth accidentally called it...Jon hates Kate plus 8, kind of true now), 18 kids and counting, and of course American Idol and So you think you can dance. She also loves watching Full House reruns as well. She is tons of fun, and completely shy. But she has come far & does much better. She talks my ear off when we are alone, I usually have to ask her to be quiet for a while, she goes on and on, and talks so fast, it is hard to keep up. We love her so much, and we are so glad she is part of our family.

Rock Island High School Graduation Ceremony 2009

She has officially graduated. Yes, I am sad, and still very proud of her and all she has done in her 4 years of high school. We were supposed to have her ceremony at the Stadium, but due to threat of rain, it was in the fieldhouse. Although it wasn't too hot on Sunday, it was very humid, and boy did we sweat!!!!

Here are some shots I got of her graduation, and her choir group sang as well... We were behind the choir, so you can't see RaNae, she is one of the short ones in front...but they sounded Great!

RaNae's Graduation Party

All I can say, "I am glad it is over!!!!" I am exhausted. We had a great turnout, even though we had lots of rain. We had friends from church come, teachers and friends from school, and of course our family (definitely immediate). How come no one else came? None of my brothers and sisters and their families showed up, oh well, Illinois must be too far. Ha ha! I really wish we could have had family come out, but I totally realize that is asking way too much. Here are a few shots that I caught as we were winding up the last few minutes. We had the party for RaNae , Caitlin Luthy, and Luke Wood. They set up a table with some of their accomplishments from High School, RaNae displayed her Musical and Play t-shirts, programs and t-shirts from some of her Choir performances, her Varsity Letter for Choir and medals for her choir competitions, academic awards and so forth. We had a taco bar, Whitey's Ice Cream (courtesy of RaNae (she works there)) and yummy cookie cakes. She graduates tomorrow. I can't believe it.

RaNae's Senior Recognition Night

RaNae had her Senior Recognition Night recently... She received the Illinois State Scholar award, and the Prairie State Scholar Award. They did a slide show of the Seniors and what their future plans were, somehow, RaNae got left off of the plans, I don't know maybe they couldn't find BYU-Idaho., oh well.

Seth's 8th Birthday

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Seth, happy birthday to you.

Seth had his 8th birthday and even though one of his birthday gifts were broken before he officially turned 8 (not his fault), he had a lot of fun and seemed very happy.

I will have to post another one later with his "Bumblebee" Transformers mask on, it's cute.

Pops concert...Get ready...

RaNae had her final concert for Choir this year, the Pops concert. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the Chamber Choir's performances, they did an awesome job. RaNae has been in Chamber Choir for two years now(she started with the Symphonic Choir her Sophomore year), she has absolutely loved it. The Chamber Choir not only has classes during the day at school, they also have other practices and they perform all over the Quad City area during the school year. Here are two of the numbers they performed at the Pops concert. Their theme this year was Get Ready... from the song by the Temptations "Get Ready".

RaNae's Sr. Pictures

We took the rest of RaNae's Senior pictures yesterday. We had been waiting for better weather , you know warm not raining kind of days. We had fun, I don't think we took a bad picture, I included my absolute favorites. Just be glad I got tired of waiting for them to all load.