Norma Hafen Henrie
February 13, 1928 - December 15, 2009
We love you forever.
12.21.2009
12.14.2009
They Come in Three's
Yesterday, Sunday, Church was Cancelled! Yup, you heard me, cancelled. We had our first Sheet Ice Experience here in PA. It doesn't snow much here, but it rains and gets really cold, the result, ICE! Kameron had an early church meeting so we all got ready and went together early to church. We were all in the car, started backing out and then on our way down the hill and we didn't go very far before we started sliding down. We slid all the way down and somehow made it to the highway where we slid a little more. It wasn't long after we left that we got the call that Church was cancelled so we drove to where we could turn around and while we were turning we started to slide some more. This time we kept going and drove up and around the side of a hill! I swear we were going to roll the car, and seriously it was like someone was holding us upright until we made it back down to the bottom again. We were very blessed to not have been in an accident that morning.
After safely making it home, we decided to have our own little church meeting. We said a prayer, sang a song and I shared the lesson. We talked about Jesus' birth and all the blessings that our Father in Heaven has given to us. It was a great little Sunday (FHE) meeting. Afterwards we made some hot chocolate and caramel popcorn to share as a treat and it wasn't long that Carter grabbed a mug and spilled hot chocolate all over the carpet. I turned to Kameron as we were cleaning up the mess and said, "you know these things come in three's." Well, the third thing happened. Braden shoved a popcorn kernel up his nose! I was sure after a few attempts to get it out that we were gonna have to take him to the hospital, but we finally got Braden to blow it out. The rest of the day was much better and not so eventful.
I am just so grateful for little blessings that we can see each day. We truly are a blessed people!
After safely making it home, we decided to have our own little church meeting. We said a prayer, sang a song and I shared the lesson. We talked about Jesus' birth and all the blessings that our Father in Heaven has given to us. It was a great little Sunday (FHE) meeting. Afterwards we made some hot chocolate and caramel popcorn to share as a treat and it wasn't long that Carter grabbed a mug and spilled hot chocolate all over the carpet. I turned to Kameron as we were cleaning up the mess and said, "you know these things come in three's." Well, the third thing happened. Braden shoved a popcorn kernel up his nose! I was sure after a few attempts to get it out that we were gonna have to take him to the hospital, but we finally got Braden to blow it out. The rest of the day was much better and not so eventful.
I am just so grateful for little blessings that we can see each day. We truly are a blessed people!
I Don't Want to be Four
I have been doing my best with this whole 12 days until Christmas. Each day I think and think to come up with nothing and then Braden asks to make something. So for most of our days we have been making a little craft. Nothing fancy for sure especially since I have just been cutting up pieces of paper for Braden to glue back together that somehow end up resembling something Christmasy. I also made another attempt to take the boys to see Santa. Kameron came with me for extra moral support but yet again Braden was quite sure he didn't want to see Santa. I tried bribing him with a special prize but there was no way he was going to sit on the "big-guy's" lap. As we were leaving Kam mentioned something about trying again next year when Braden is 4 and Brady responded by telling us, "I don't want to be 4." What a funny kid!
Santa Clause
Snowman
Christmas Tree
Rudolph
This Ornament Braden made at the Library
Good Luck Daddy
Kameron has been so amazing. Even though he is really busy with his studies he has always made time for us. We wanted to tell him thanks and let him know he is extra special by making him a BIG card to help gear him up for all his finals this week.
We love you daddy!
We love you daddy!
12.05.2009
Thanks and Giving
We really had the most wonderful Thanksgiving this year even though the circumstances that led to it were not so wonderful. We had originally planned on leaving the Friday before and visiting with my cousin in Philadelphia and then heading down to North Carolina to spend a week with Kam's Aunt. However, about a week before we got a call that Gramma Henrie was not doing well. She has been fighting Bone Cancer for the past two years and her fight is coming close to the end. With the downfall of Gramma's health it was decided that the whole family needed to be together and that we all needed the chance to say goodbye.
We boarded the airplane with much anticipation and very mixed feelings. I was so excited to see Kam's parents at the airport and just as excited to see the mountains and the familiar sites of "home." I don't think I realized how much I missed it all nor did I realize how far away Pittsburgh is. Visiting Gramma on Sunday was harder than I anticipated. Walking into Gramma's room was awkward. I didn't know how I was supposed to react to her frail form of skin and bones. I was taken aback by her responses of love and concern for us. She said that "this is so stupid...spending so much money to come see an old woman die" and later, she said, "It's a miracle," referring to us being there. I have never had the experience of being near someone so close the end of their mortal journey. It was a beautiful, spiritual experience for me. I have never been more reassured of God's love for each of us and the wonderful gift of eternity and eternal families that He has offered to us. Before leaving, Grampa and Gramma were both given a blessing, for Grampa, comfort and strength and for Gramma, a release from this mortal journey.
We were able to go back up to Logan on Thanksgiving day for dinner. The mood that day was different for me. I felt so much peace and love from my Father in Heaven. Before leaving we said "goodbye" for what could be the last time in this life. Gramma shared beautiful and uplifting things about each of us. She told us to take good care of the boys and that she would be watching over us. I shared my love and appreciation for the legacy and example that her life was. I hope that in some way I can find in myself some of her same attributes of unselfish and unwavering love.
During the rest of our visit we hung out with our family, did some Christmas shopping, and went to the temple. We also celebrated my daddy's birthday. We all went to breakfast together and then spent the whole day just hanging out. Later, we went to dinner with my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins to celebrate. We had a great time at dinner, at least until Braden got up from the table and threw-up all over the floor. We had to leave in a hurry and I was sorry to cut the evening short. It was such a great surprise to be able to spend the day with my daddy.
I am so grateful for my testimony of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that my Father in Heaven shows me each day his love for me and how tenderly he teaches me of all the things I need to know, even when the lesson is hard to bear. I am grateful for a Savior who loves me enough to have suffered so I can live with Him and our Father again. And right now, I am most grateful for my family and the love and comforts they provide for me each and every day, even from so far away!
We boarded the airplane with much anticipation and very mixed feelings. I was so excited to see Kam's parents at the airport and just as excited to see the mountains and the familiar sites of "home." I don't think I realized how much I missed it all nor did I realize how far away Pittsburgh is. Visiting Gramma on Sunday was harder than I anticipated. Walking into Gramma's room was awkward. I didn't know how I was supposed to react to her frail form of skin and bones. I was taken aback by her responses of love and concern for us. She said that "this is so stupid...spending so much money to come see an old woman die" and later, she said, "It's a miracle," referring to us being there. I have never had the experience of being near someone so close the end of their mortal journey. It was a beautiful, spiritual experience for me. I have never been more reassured of God's love for each of us and the wonderful gift of eternity and eternal families that He has offered to us. Before leaving, Grampa and Gramma were both given a blessing, for Grampa, comfort and strength and for Gramma, a release from this mortal journey.
We were able to go back up to Logan on Thanksgiving day for dinner. The mood that day was different for me. I felt so much peace and love from my Father in Heaven. Before leaving we said "goodbye" for what could be the last time in this life. Gramma shared beautiful and uplifting things about each of us. She told us to take good care of the boys and that she would be watching over us. I shared my love and appreciation for the legacy and example that her life was. I hope that in some way I can find in myself some of her same attributes of unselfish and unwavering love.
During the rest of our visit we hung out with our family, did some Christmas shopping, and went to the temple. We also celebrated my daddy's birthday. We all went to breakfast together and then spent the whole day just hanging out. Later, we went to dinner with my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins to celebrate. We had a great time at dinner, at least until Braden got up from the table and threw-up all over the floor. We had to leave in a hurry and I was sorry to cut the evening short. It was such a great surprise to be able to spend the day with my daddy.
I am so grateful for my testimony of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that my Father in Heaven shows me each day his love for me and how tenderly he teaches me of all the things I need to know, even when the lesson is hard to bear. I am grateful for a Savior who loves me enough to have suffered so I can live with Him and our Father again. And right now, I am most grateful for my family and the love and comforts they provide for me each and every day, even from so far away!
Twelve Days of Chritmas
Since we will only be at home for about 10 more days until we head for Utah, I have made the decision NOT to decorate. I feel absolutely horrible about it, but after debating literally all night, I think it will be okay not to. However, since I'm not decorating, I am going to do a little something special each day to make it feel like Christmas.
Yesterday I took the boys to the mall to see Santa. I needed to run a few errands before so I told Braden that he could only see Santa if he was GOOD. This worked at first but it didn't take long before he was NAUGHTY! I was so upset, because I really wanted to do this for him. In the end, I gave in and took him to see Santa anyway. But when we got there, Braden started crying and yelling that he didn't want to see Santa. As it turns out he was afraid of Santa, maybe that's why he decided he could be naughty. I'm going to try taking him on a better day and see if I can get a picture of the boys on Santa's knee.
For our activity today I had Braden help me make some salt dough. We kneaded it, colored it, rolled it out, cut out shapes, turned our shapes into Christmas ornaments and baked them in the microwave. Can I say "little house fire?!" I left Santa in the microwave too long and he started on fire, whoops! I baked the rest including another Santa in the oven and they surprisingly turned out really cute. I had a really fun time doing this with the boys; yes, Carter helped too. By the end I think there was more dough on the floor than anywhere else, mostly due to Carter, but it really was a blast! I might have to do this again every year as a family tradition!
Yesterday I took the boys to the mall to see Santa. I needed to run a few errands before so I told Braden that he could only see Santa if he was GOOD. This worked at first but it didn't take long before he was NAUGHTY! I was so upset, because I really wanted to do this for him. In the end, I gave in and took him to see Santa anyway. But when we got there, Braden started crying and yelling that he didn't want to see Santa. As it turns out he was afraid of Santa, maybe that's why he decided he could be naughty. I'm going to try taking him on a better day and see if I can get a picture of the boys on Santa's knee.
For our activity today I had Braden help me make some salt dough. We kneaded it, colored it, rolled it out, cut out shapes, turned our shapes into Christmas ornaments and baked them in the microwave. Can I say "little house fire?!" I left Santa in the microwave too long and he started on fire, whoops! I baked the rest including another Santa in the oven and they surprisingly turned out really cute. I had a really fun time doing this with the boys; yes, Carter helped too. By the end I think there was more dough on the floor than anywhere else, mostly due to Carter, but it really was a blast! I might have to do this again every year as a family tradition!
Dear Santa,
We want to make sure that you know that we will not be in Pennsylvania for Christmas this year. We will be happily visiting our families in Utah. We will be at Aunt Megan's house, so if you think we've been GOOD, visit us there; if we've been BAD, you can leave the coal out on the porch in Pennsylvania.
With Love,
The Henrie's
xoxoxoxxoxooxoxxo
11.11.2009
Won't You be My Neighbor
This last weekend we had the opportunity to go down to our local public television station, WQED, and see something quite historic. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the fist airing of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. This program was taped here in Pittsburgh in Studio A (now named after Fred Rogers) of WQED, the first community-sponcered television station in America. We were able to tour the Neighborhood-of-Makebelieve in the studio where it was taped. It was very nostalgic to say the least! Each of the props were there (except for Daniel Tiger's Clock, which is on permanent display at St. Vincet College where Kam goes to school) as well as some of the puppets. We also go to meet Mr. McFeely! We got his autograph and a picture with him as well as some freebies including one of Mr. Roger's books. I wasn't sure if Braden would like going but he now asks to watch Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and talks about it all the time. His favorite part was the Fred Roger's Dinosaur outside of the Station (he's really into dino's right now). I am so glad we had this opportunity and wish you all could have been with us.
Fred "Dino" Rogers
Grandpere's Eiffel Tower
King Friday the XIII's Castle and the Neighborhood Trolley
Cornflake S. Pecially's "Rockit" Factory
"X" the Owl and Henrietta Pussycat's Tree
Lady Elaine Fairchilde's Museum-go-Round
Replica of Daniel Tiger's Clock
"Speedy Delivery"
11.08.2009
Happy Birthday!
11.04.2009
Getting Crafty
While here in PA I have been attempting to find ways to keep myself busy so that I don't let the homesickness get the best of me. Janey and I have been planning all sorts of projects to do. These are just a taste of some of the projects we have been working on:
Towel Hooks for the Bathroom:
I found these at Ross for super cheep. The tile in the middle was originally an ugly picture, so I just took some paper and modg-poged it over the tile to make it match my decor.
Shower Curtain:
I saw this shower curtain at one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie. I was in love at first sight but knew I couldn't afford the $100 price tag. I made this replica for less than $20 and a lot of time with my sewing machine. I am so happy with how it turned out.
Miss-Matched Ruffled Apron:
These were made by a friend of Heidi's to be worn at a "Stories-by-Me" booth at Swiss Days a couple years ago. I made some last year but gave them all away at Christmas. I had shown the idea to Janey and she couldn't wait to make one of her own. I made this one for me!
Super-Hero Cape:
This is another copy-cat idea. My mom had made one of these for my brother when he was little. She had pulled them out for Braden to play with before we moved out here. I decided to make Braden and Carter their own. It was a little difficult to get the sizing right, but we finished with an awesome Dress-Up for Brady. He loves it!
Curtains:
I still haven't decided if I like them ruffled or not but I love the fact that I made 7 valences for less than $15 and even have lots of left-over fabric. Thank you Walmart for the super cheep, super cute fabric!
I cannot wait for the next wave of projects that Janey and I have in store!
11.03.2009
It's Lots of Fun on Halloween
We had a great first Halloween in Pennsylvania! Braden was very excited and couldn't wait for all the festivities. Being in Primary, we planned a Primary Halloween party that took place the week before. At the party we broke the kids up into two groups, older kids and younger kids, and had them rotate activities. We sang songs, read a scary story, did the Monster Mash, made fences with pumpkins on them, played relay games, dressed up like mummies, and ate a fun lunch of corn dogs, cheese cubes and cup-cakes! I was completely worn out after it all, but the kids all had a great time. Braden loved getting to play with the bigger kids and his favorite part was when at the end of the scary story a scarecrow jumped out from behind a curtain. I was a little nervous that he wouldn't like the scare but it turned out the only one who didn't like it was Bro. Phetsomphou's (our primay president's husband) daughter, and he was the one all dressed up!
During the week of Halloween we carved our pumpkins and Braden had a fun Halloween Party at his Library Reading School. He got to wear his costume and they read Halloween stories and the kids got to make a scarecrow and a bat. On Halloween day I went to get Braden in his costume but he got really upset and told me he did not want to be a pirate and wanted to be a "super-hero and slay the dragon" instead. I wanted him to wear his pirate costume that I bought for him so told him that he could be a "super-hero-pirate" and could slay the dragon with his pirate sword. Luckily he decided this would be okay and he finally got in his costume. That evening we got together with the Bloomfields and ate chili in bread-bowls, made sugar cookies, painted Halloween pictures and of course went Trick-or-Treating! Braden and Colter has a blast. We just went around part of our little neighborhood and still managed to bring home bursting bags of Halloween Candy. Our Pittsburgh friends really go all out here. Most everyone was out in their driveways just waiting for us to come and instead of just a little treat, they would give out either full sized candy bars or handfuls of candy! One lady even came down the hill to pass out her candy because most of the trick-or-treaters bypassed her house, not wanting to go up the hill! We have several older couples who live in our neighborhood and they all just loved to see these little ones say "trick-or-treat" with bright smiles. I was so proud of Braden who not only thanked everyone who gave him candy but also wished them all a "Happy Halloween!" I am already looking forward to another fun adventure next year!
Pumpkin Carving
Getting out the Guts!
My Two Boys!
"Arrrgh!"
Braden wanted his pumpkin to be a scary monster and
we made Carter's to look like him, with two little teethers!
Braden has been so good at drawling lately.
This is a Ghost that he drew for Halloween!
10.22.2009
When My Mommy Came to Visit
I have been so lucky to have so many people wanting to come and visit me. It has really helped with the homesickness. However, I am still aching to go back to Utah (I miss my Mountains and the rest of the fam).
My mom came to see us this last weekend and boy did we have a great time. It rained the whole time she was here except for the last day so we spent a lot of time indoors. We made jewelry, laughed a lot, and went shopping at a store here called, Gabriel Brothers, that reminds me a lot of the DI except for the fact that all the stuff is new. We did venture outside in between the rain so my momma could get a look of our new surroundings. We went to Twin Lakes Park to see all the beauty of fall back here and of course we couldn't have a visit from Grammy Bo without visiting a yard sale! Thanks Mommy for coming to see us, we had a Blast!
Grammy and Brady
Carter Wanted to be in the Picture Too
Our Ventures Outside: Cool Bridge, Huh?
Twin Lakes Park: Lots of Fog from the Rain
The Yard Sale
Schramm Farm: The Pumpkin Patch
On the last day of my mom's visit we went to Schramm Farm to experience the fall festivities. This farm is less than a mile from our house and was so much fun to visit. It was really muddy because of all the rain we had the few days prior. We went through a corn and hay-bale maze, took a little pony ride, did a lot of goofing off, and of course found the perfect pumpkins!
Grammy with the Kiddies
Bert & Ernie
Hay-Bale Maze: "I did it!"
Pumpkin King and Queen
The "Short Bus"
Yea for Pumpkins
A Pumpkin Snowman
Pretending to be Scarecrows
A ride on "Rocket" the Pony
This One's for Megan
The Perfect Pumpkins
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