The End, Froggie!

2008-03-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Guess what happens when you put Kaeru Hime's art supplies in a room with the boys...

BRRRRRRR

2008-03-24T11:10:00.001-07:00

Snow in Arizona

There's still some snow left on the mountains in Northern Arizona. We took the ward YW north for a retreat and we found a fun hill to slide down on innnertubes. Kaeru Hime would rather create than slide so she went to work off to the side. After about 45 min, she had built up and formed an ice dragon.

Another Magazine Search Challenge!

2007-10-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

Be on the lookout for frogs on page 38 of the October New Era. There's a teeny tiny one in green (or course) and one in light blue.

A Bird Worth Blogging About

2007-04-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

Big B, his friends, fellow scouts and family painted a fence at the local baseball park for his Eagle Project.

Aunt Cindy, Uncle Bob and cousin Marcus, along with furry little Zoe showed up to help. So did Aunt Kathy and Uncle Cliff. We painted 500 ft of wrought iron fence with green latex paint in about 3 hours. We kept the crew of 26 workers happy with 4 dozen donuts, 2 dozen mini-muffins, 3 dozen liters of bottled water, and a dozen snack bags of chips (for the hardy painters who stayed until the project was done.)

Most of the fence had minimal rusting. This section was the worst BEFORE it was painted.

This is the same section of fence AFTER we were done.

The weather was great, bored painters could watch a couple ballgames as they worked, and Big B did a great job of organizing the volunteers as well as working beside them.

Now for the paperwork!

Good Books

2007-03-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

Have any of you ever read the Kingdom and the Crown series (Fishers of Men, Come Unto Me, Behold the Man) by Gerald Lund?

Our Enrichment book club read the first two volumes for January and February so I had to finish out the series on my own (instead of reading the next book club book.)
The series follows the ministry of Christ through the eyes of two fictional families. If you have read other Lund books, you will recognize his style of characterization (There always seems to be a happy, teenage girl, who has the gift of faith and never doubts in each novel. They have different names in each series they all seem to be the same little sister.) Because one of the main characters is a renegade, the plot lines are more violent and peppered with battles and skirmishes than you might expect in a series about Christ.

The best aspect of this series is the insight it adds to the settings and situations of the four Gospels. The characters spend time thoughout the series on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and you get a good feeling for how things were situated as Christ cleanses the Temple, is challenged by Jewish leaders with the woman taken in adultery, or proclaims at the Feast of Tabernacles that he is the Living Water and Light of the World.

Most of the characters live in Galilee, where Christ spent most of his early ministry, so you are shown what it might have been like for Jesus to teach and bless among the people. What would it be like to see miracles in the lives of people that you know?

Studying the New Testamant in Sunday School has never been so enjoyable for me. I look forward to my time each night in the Gospels. I love what these books have added to my experience of the scriptures.

Happy Birthday Wood!

2007-02-09T09:50:00.000-08:00

Froga-lee has come out of hibernation to send happy warm wishes to the Woods. I just got home from a celebratory 10k jog (got to get up and moving after sleeping for so long) that gave my mind plenty of time to wander down memory lane, back to the days when you were just a little sprout.

I remember that you were born on a Saturday when we were out of school, so when Mommy and Daddy left for the hospital, I was in charge. It was not a good day to be in charge at home because the septic tank was overflowing into the downstairs bathtub when Daddy had to rush Mommy to the hospital. We kept the batthroom door closed and went down to the corner or over the Curfey's if we had to go. It was cold and icey and I probably did my best to babysit while watching Dr. Who.

We went to the Oesterlings the next day after Church and I remember having some kind of phone conversation about your name. I was very excited because I loved your first name and Mommy said it was name that would one day give you a challenge to pronounce.

It was hard to feed you when you came home from the hospital and Mommy was very sad that she couldn't breastfeed you. There was some stress because you had to gain weight before you could have your first surgery. I also remember being worried on the first Sunday we took you to church. I was 13 and I worried about how my peers might treat you and me. They were good to us and that meant a lot to me.

When you had your first surgery you were still a baby. I was so happy that there was corrective treatment available to you that I was amazed when Mommy said that she cried when they wheeled you out of surgery. It was hard for her to see tiny you in that raw condition.

The surgeons did such a good job when you were a baby. You were sooooo cute as a baby and toddler. Man and I would get you to to say these monkey ooo's and your eyes would get so big and round and we would just giggle. He gave you the knick name of Arwood about that time I think because you would tense up your whole body and become as stiff as a log. When your hair came in, it was blonde like mine. Your hazel eyes were so charming.

You weren't very old yet when I left home for college. I missed out on a lot when you were growing up but you really made an impression on me one Sunday when you soundly beat me at Othello. You could not have been more than 6 or 7 and you had out stratigized me.

I got married and I don't remember much of your next few years because we only visited once in a while. When the family moved to Utah, I loved talking to you about your high school classes and what you were learning. I loved hearing about your challenging track experiences. You recommended Robert Jordan books to me and I remember spending most of my last pregnancy with one after another Wheel of Time novels. They are compelling and frustrating and it says a lot that that baby I was expecting is now ten years old and Robert Jordan still has not finished that series!

I means so much to me to have seen you grow up to be so accomplished and to have met the difficult challenges of your life with courage and determination and faith. You are one of my heroes and I love you. Happy Birthday!

The Froggie News

2006-10-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

This Month's Highlights
by Poison Dot

School Break!!!!!!

For two and a half weeks our school will have a break!! WOO HOO! From Sept. 30th to Oct. 17th! But Dad isn't on break.....

Haloween Costumes at Ready!

Get ready for Halloween! Yep, in a few weeks! Buy candy! Get costumes ready! BOO! Who will YOU be? Scream? A medieval warrior? Who knows.....

Countdown till CHRISTMAS!!!

Every body! IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!! ONLY 85 DAYS!!! WOO HOO!!!

Countdown till Big B's BIRTHDAY!

Hey, Big B should be excited! It's almost his B-day! Yay! get him a present!

Another New Calling in the Family

2006-09-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

Today I got called to be ward chorister. I start leading the hymns next Sunday.

Also today my gerbil, Silver, died. She had heart problems. Sand seems fine, which is good. Sometimes when one gerbil dies the other becomes depressed. Out of all the gerbils I've had, only one acted diferently after her friend (and sister) died. She would jump up to the roof of the cage, hang on with her fore paws, and try to chew her way out of the cage. She was so determined to get out that her one of her claws was torn from her finger, and that didn't stop her. It grew back, but it was a little deformed. Luckily she got past this phase in a day. I have heard that some gerbils can become so depressed, that they'll starve themself to death.

I've updated my website a lot since I last posted, so come and visit if you haven't checked it recently.

Posted by Kaeru Hime

Happy Birthday, I-Guy

2006-08-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

Guess how old?!!
Cake, sports, what more could I-Guy want?
We played water balloon toss, tailored for young'uns because the balloons turned out to be break-resistant.

Abraham

2006-08-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here he is, just 5 days old, celebrating his big brother's birthday.

The little guy takes a snooze on Daddy's lap. Kaeru Hime holds the little Prince.

All it takes is a frog with a pacifier to soothe his fussin'.

New Baby, New Elder

2006-08-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

Life has sort of hit hard since I came home from Utah and I haven't felt like I had much to say so this blog has been very quiet. This week some great things have happened that I want to share.

First of all, this morning at 2:12am my princess sister gave birth to 7 pound, 20 inch Abraham.
The birth had it's ups and downs but she is resting well in the hospital and Abraham is fine but under observation for a few days in case he develops an infection. My mom and 9.9 are staying with the princess family for the week and then I get to take over(Look out! Here comes bossy!)

My mom brought with her a some folders of A. V. and Bertha pictures and documents and letters. They are incredible to go though and scan. I feel so much closer to Grandma and in parts of her letters, she has left some indication of how she thought of me. Anyway, I want to link a lot of this memorabilia to the PAF file I am perfecting and then send it out to as many people as want it. Then I will submit it (the pedigree part, not the memorabilia) to the LDS Pedigree Resource File so it will be preserved and made accessable around the world.

I usually go to the temple on Thursday mornings but this week Stake Temple day was Wednesday, so I enjoyed a mid-morning session and then lingered in the celestial room, hoping to leave with someone I used to teach when she was a Mia Maid. She was with her mom and they were taking a while and I had a good feeling that I should go ahead and be on my way. I figured I might catch up with her in the dressing room. She didn't show up but as I left the temple, I found out the reason for that good feeling. There were four Elders waiting outside the revolving door of the Mesa temple and one of them rushed down the steps to greet one of my fellow ward members. He is a diminuative elder who had served in our ward a few months back and he had recognized first Brother Locasio and then me. He mentioned that he was now serving in Buckeye. I got excited and asked him if he knew an Elder H who just came from the MTC. He seemed a bit vague as I asked him to pass on a hello from Elder H's Chandler cousin. One of the Elders that was still waiting by the revolving door said that Elder H was probably approaching now down the sidewalk with a group of about 16 missionaries. I trotted down to sidewalk yelling "Elder H, Elder H! It's my cousin Elder H." We shook hands several times as we proceeded up the sidewalk to the front of the temple. The late morning sun was hot (about 98F) and muggy and he glowed pink in his dark suit. I asked him if he was getting around on a bicycle and he said no, they were enjoying a car. I met his companion, Elder Stapley, who has brown hair and brown eyes and is slightly bigger than Javich. I told him I would have to blog our encounter and I asked him if he had any messages. He just said to wish our parents a Happy Aniversary! The other missionaries in his group were entering to temple so I didn't want to keep him. I was sooo exciting to see him! I had to call Princess right away and share the excitement.

That's the news from the swamp. Until next time, Good Ribit to All!

The End, Animals!

2006-07-06T01:49:00.000-07:00

The final bow pictures would not fit into the previous post but they were too cute to leave out.

From left to right:
Mrs. Giraffe, the unicorn, Mr. Mouse, the poodle, and the zebra.

There Are Animals In the Backyard!

2006-07-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to babbysit some of my nieces and nephews. To keep them busy, I helped them make costumes and then sent them outside to come up with a play. Here's what they came up with!

As the action begins, we see the animals in the forrest, namely B. J. as Mrs. Giraffe in the center of the tree, with J.C. as a unicorn on the left and A.J. as a poodle on the right. Everything is good and right in the forrest as the animals jump down from the tree and begin to jump and dance in the grass. Suddenly, lightening strikes, and the
forrest begins to burn! Mr. Mouse (I.J.), runs to get the hose to put out the fire as the other animals go crazy.
The fire is quenched, but, alas, Mrs. Giraffe has been overcome and cannot be revived! The animals call for Mr. Mouse......
and he quickly kisses her forehead and she is saved! The animals celebrate, eat lunch and then....

fall asleep.
(C. C. sleeps on all fours because she is a zebra)

(We have a guest appearance by the neighbor boy) When they awake, poor Mrs. Giraffe is sick and so......

They call the doctor. She gives Mrs. Giraffe medicine and she feels much better!
Then, just when you think all is well....

Evil Monkeys attack! The unicorn has a furious fight as she stabs and slashes at the Evil Monkeys. The unicorn prevails and the animals are happy and safe in the forrest.

"Princess" Momma

2006-07-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

This is my sister. She is one of the happiest very pregnant mothers I have ever known. It's Arizona, it's hot, her two little kids are running every which way, and the air conditioning in her new house could use some work. She is pleasant and positive through it all!

Here's the sweet story I want to share about her. Her daughter, Princess A, had been talking and asking and reminding for a week about making cinnamon rolls. Mom was busy getting the family ready for their trip to Utah. Once in Utah, my sister started searching for a recipe that she and Princess A could make together. She picked an old recipe that My YW leader had taught me more than 2 decades ago, so of course, she asked for my help. We collected all the ingredients and my sister invited Princess A to come and make cinnamon rolls. Unfortunately, we were competing with a trampoline full of Princess A's cousins, and her majesty confessed that she was much more excited about eating cinnamon rolls than making them with her momma.

It was the end of a long day for my very pregnant sister but she figured she would go ahead with the planned baking. We worked together and I made sure she had all the sitting jobs. We adapted the recipe and weathered through some doubts about the yeast.......
and produced two absolutely delicious pans of cinnamon rolls for the hords of Henrichsens to gobble.

Princess A was happy to eat and wave her scepter of gratitude. She has a gracious, good momma whom I really admire!

O, Happy Day!

2006-06-27T23:01:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday was a long anticipated day of celebration and
new beginnings. My brother Aaron married Christine for this life and for forever. It was a reverent and memorable sealing in the Salt Lake Temple, performed by Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi. He spoke of the thousands effected by their sealing, the sacred altar, and the glorious morning of our Savior's resurection. He encouraged the everyday practice of kind communication, prayer and scripture study together. We felt the Spirit of the Lord as these two took on the sacred promises that begin a new family.

I know Aaron was a little nervous on Tuesday morning but you sure couldn't tell when the spotlight was on him and Christine. They were warm and gracious and patient with all the family and guests and photographers.

Here we are in front of the northwest doors of the temple. Aaron and Christine are surrounded by his parents and all his siblings, most of their spouses, a cousin, an uncle and some nieces. After pictures, we went to the Olive Garden for lunch (thanks Aaron!) and then headed back to Provo for a reception at B's quaint old ward building.

"Girls in white dresses with red satin sashes."
Christine had about 5 bridesmaids in red skirts and white blouses. These are most of her new nieces. The little girls just loved their special wedding dresses with red ribons and bows. They twirled and posed all night long. Jessie especially loved it when Christine gave her the bouquet to hold and the photographer thought she looked so cute that he snapped a few pictures of her.

Christine's brother, Keith, sang and played the guitar. He performed a song that their father sang to their mother on their wedding day, I think it is called "There Is Love." Please correct me in the comments if I am wrong. Anyway, his beautiful tenor voice was a treat to listen to.

Aaron and Christine honeymooned at Thanksgiving Point and then drove to Loveland for another reception on Friday. Now they are again on the road, traveling across the country to start their life together, away from family and friends in New York. I am so excited for and proud of these two. They each know how to triumph over difficulties and set their standards high and acheive something good. I feel so privileged to have Aaron and Christine in our family!

New Babies

2006-06-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we got two new gerbils. Their names are Silver and Sand. Silver is light gray, with a dark grey tail. Sand is a yellow-brown color.

Posted by Kaeru Hime

Wooo-Hoooo!

2006-06-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

School is finally out for the summer! I havn't been this excited since I was actually attending school myself. I am just looking forward to our lives slowing down for a little while.
It's kind of like the feeling you have on a big vacation with lots of places to go and when you are trying to squeeze as much fun and meaningful recreation into a week or a three day weekend. Don't you kind of feel relieved to go home to boring everyday chores?
This last year I was trying to squeeze in a lot of good out of the time the kids were in school. Then, in the afternoons and evenings, when the kids are out of school, they were involved in sports and projects and classes and volunteering, plus homework that often needed some kind of parental support. Well, that's just what life is like at this stage of life and so much of my everyday life is good, but I am ready for the pace to slow down a bit.

I am so relieved that even our beginning-of-the-season heatwave does not have me wilted. Poison Dot has had cub scout day camp for the last three scorching days and nights. Yesterday, I went to camp with him. Amphibians can survive 112 degree conditions if they are wet on the inside and on the outside. I also suggest praying for a good attitude. And a very good spray bottle. From 2:15 -9:45 pm we hopped under the mesquite and palo verde through puddles and waterballoons and sprinklers and hoses to activities that cub scouts love: archery, BB guns, swimming, crafts, games, knightly quests, and, of course, the snack bar.

Poison Dot takes aim.

Squire Mark and Squire Dot.

Weekend Fun

2006-05-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

It was the annual Fathers and Sons camping trip last Friday so Kaeru Hime (Frog Princess in Japanese) and I had some fun together. We caught a movie (MI3), enjoyed some fried squid and eel and salmon sushi (something we could never do with the boys around,) and spent the rest of the evening with our take-out desserts and Sci-Fi DVD's (Senenity and Dr. Who.)

I am thrilled to say that K.H. has seen past the crude Dr. Who special effects to appreciate the story and suspense of these 28 year-old adventures. I received the "Key of Time" set of episodes for Mother's day and ripped off the celophane last Friday. She's gobbled up the whole set in 3 days while I am waiting to savor them on Saturday afternoons just like in the old days. Remember when we had to rake leaves and do other yardwork with Daddy on Saturday afternoons? My goal was to get my part done by 3:00 so I wouldn't miss a moment of Dr. Who.
I don't know what the new episodes are like but these classic Tom Baker yarns are still so fun to watch.

Here's some pictures of what the boys did with their time together.

Eating food in wrappers, using a hatchet and a cool camp shovel are three of the things that make camping so cool for Dott. Big B and his friend, A-man (in black) are mostly looking forward to paintball fun in the afternoon.

Dott gets some paintball pointers from the Bishop.

They say this was the Bishop's idea. "Hey, you guys line up and I'll run around so you can shoot me!"

Big B is in dark blue halfway down the line.

Big B aims at the Bishop, the tiny black form beyond the fallen logs.

Hello, world of blogging!

2006-05-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hello, world of blogging! The Froggie family has decided to hop from our bog and into a blog. It's the dry season and we're just looking for something cool.
This is the beginning end of Froggie. "The End, Froggie," is a family tradition that started in FHE about 4 years ago. Poison Dot was in kindergarten and each week he brought home a little booklet that he had made of the color song of the week. It was a way to teach the youngsters how to spell color words with the help of lyrics and familiar tunes.
For example, the song about brown was sung to the tune of "Bingo," and went like this:

There is a color we all know.
Can you guess what it is?
B-r-o-w-n, b-r-o-w-n, b-r-o-w-n,
That's how you spell brown.

Teddy bears and squirrels are brown.
Autumn leaves are too.
Chocolate candy's always brown.
Chocolate cake is always brown.
Chocolate milk is always brown.
I like brown don't you.

The last page of each booklet had a small cartoon frog under the words,"The End." Whenever we got to the last page at the end of the song we would all shout out, "The End, Froggie!" With such a fun way to punctuate, it was adopted to end other activities. At one point it was the signal to race to bed (clever way to get kids excited to go to bed, eh?)

Anyway, "The End, Froggie" is part of who we are as a family and we would like to share a little bit of this with you.