Summer Fun! 2010

Claire enjoying our water slide in the back yard. She had recently turned 2 when these were taken.

I love the look of pure joy on her face-- priceless!

The kids after swim lessons.

Isn't summertime grand?

To swim, or not to swim that is the question.

Deep thoughts, by Meghan Hendershot...

We get terrible wind storms here in the summer. This was a particularly bad one, and it practically took down our Aspen tree. Hans and I tried to save it during the storm. We tried holding it up. I was determined not to give in. I had my feet braced against the big rock and was pushing the trunk up with all of my might while the wind blew on. A neighbor saw what was happening and came over to offer some advice. His advice was, "Melissa, you're crazy, get in the house until the storm's over!" Hans had been telling me the same thing, but I didn't want to give up. I was almost in tears. But finally reason took over and I caved. We went inside to wait it out. This was the result the next morning.

We did save the tree though! Now it's upright and staked better. I should put a before and after picture. That would give you a better idea of the difference. That'll be a future blog project.

On to more important things....

One morning I found Claire in our master bathroom on her potty chair doing a little light reading.

For spiritual enlightenment, "The Ensign" and...

She's got to stay on top of what's going on in the business world, so

"Entrepreneur" was her final choice. :)

Hendershot Reunion Preston Idaho July 2010

Grandma Dina and Hans

Hans' Grandma, Dina Beltran, has three children, Hans' mother, Cynthia, and two other daughters, Aunt Felicia Lange and Aunt Gloria Stullich. This was a reunion for them, their children, grandchildren & great grandchildren. It was held at a cabin in Preston, ID. All of Hans siblings were there with their children. (Bob and Jennifer Hendershot and kids from Highland, UT. Julie and Brown Robertson were even there with their gang all the way from Guatemala. Dawneen and Mike Baker and kids from Pleasant View, UT. Tara and Mike Beck & kids from Houston, TX.

Gloria's children were not able to make it this time, but Felicia's children were there with their families. Dennis and Cindy Lange and kids from Los Gatos, CA. Lisa Lange, (Dean's wife) and their kids from Modesto, CA. Donny and Monica Lange and kids from Tehachapi, CA. Debbie Trette and kids from Concord/Walnut Creek, CA area.

Hans and Kenna on game night. Mike Baker and Aunt Gloria in background.

Lonnie, Lisa's daughter, Dawneen, Mike Beck, Brown Robertson, David Robertson, in front, Hanna Baker, Dennis and Cindy's daughter, and Debbie's daughter. Game night fun!

I was up against Hans on this Minute to Win It challenge. We had to knock down stacked cans by shooting them with rubberbands! Hanna Baker, Mike Beck, Meghan, Adam Baker, Brown, David, and Casey Robertson watching.

My turn at the mic for yet another game night of fun!

Me, Dawneen, her son, Ryan, Jennifer (showing off her new Mac) Tara, and Dennis

Grandma Dina and Me

Me and Julie Robertson

Moi on kitchen duty!

No, Claire did NOT take a bit out of this chair! Despite what it may look like! She actually had scrambled eggs all over her face!

The cabin's air conditioner didn't work well, and it was scorching hot while we were there. Claire quickly found her favorite spot in the house, right smack in front of the wall mounted ac unit. She always lifted up her shirt for better exposure to the breeze! It was hillarious!

Salmon Trip 4th of July Week 2010

It was fun to be in Salmon for "Salmon River Days" and to see so many old friends. It morphed into a Furness family reunion of sorts. Amber and her kids were out west visiting from Georgia, (Uel was still deployed to Afganistan at the time) and she was in Salmon to attend her 15 year reunion. Grammie Sherri came out as well to visit old friends. Brandon and Celia and kids came too, from Washington. That meant at least 1/2 of the Furness family was there. That was a miracle in and of itself! It is no easy task to get the Furness's all together, between babies being born, hectic family schedules and military deployments! But that was seriously the best part of the trip--seeing family.

Here we are at my dad's grave site. Seeing the kids crawl all over his tombstone made me happy and imagine what it would be like if he were still here and what a great Grandpa he would be. I'm sure he'd adore his grandchildren and wouldn't mind them crawling all over him.

My 20 year high school reunion in Salmon!

Isn't that insane--20 years?! It's funny, I don't feel that old. But I must admit 20 years is a long time!

It was a lot of fun to see everyone and get caught up. Stacie was as crazy as ever! She came dressed as Madonna- big surprise! You gotta love her! :) It was 80's night, hence all the crazy outfits.

Me, Stacie Taylor Lawler, Suzette Stenerson, Krista Smith Nebekker, Jill Goodman, McKinley, Kelly Fraser Rhodes, and Nate's Taylor's wife :)

We had it out at the city park. It was really cold and windy!

Cindy Morgan, Kim Trogden, Me, Suzette, Stacie, Kellie, Morton Howe is behind Stacie. He was the foreign exchange student our Senior year from Germany. He lived with the Taylor's that year. He's a lot of fun. I think he won the "traveled the farthest award". He came all the way from Europe for the reunion.

William's Lake with the Arfmann Clan

Hans and Claire on Ryan Arfmann's boat at William's Lake. Hans had just tried wake surfing for the first time, and he was a natural. He got right up and stayed up for a loooong time.

Mitchell and Lexi with one of Jamba Juices employees from I.F.

The Ry Guy threatening to throw Cade off the boat! Amber, Hailey, Claire, Kenna and Meggie look on.

Claire Bear at the city park for the highschool reunion family picnic.

B-days, Family Visits, Fun June 2010

Tara and her family were in UT visiting from Houston for about a month during the summer. We had such a good time with them. This was a day Tara and I took the kids to "This is the Place Monument/Park" in SLC. It is quite the attraction, with old replica houses, buildings, etc from the 1800's. They had a petting zoo, a train ride, pony rides, etc. We could've spent the entire day there. It was sooo hot that day, over 100! We were melting! The kids had a blast though.


Meg, Nadia, Gia, Claire, Kenna and Mitch on the train.



This was a miniature pioneer village that the kids loved! We had to drag them out of there when it was time to go.

Mitchell in heaven! He always has loved trains.

The girls on the prowl for poor, unsuspecting baby lambs.

Kenna got one long enough to grab a picture with it.

Giavana found some.

Claire on "her" pony. She didn't want me getting too close to it. :)


They had an old fashioned mid 1800's school house complete with a live teacher! She instructed the "pupils" for a time and then allowed questions. She was very formal in her speech and pretty strict. She stayed in character the entire time. The kids got a kick out of her.

This was a little photo shoot Kenna and Meg did with Claire. She was a good sport and a spirited little model. :) They had her wear their tank tops and then they gathered the excess fabric in the back with an elastic. Why didn't they have her wear her own clothes, I wondered? But then that would be too easy. Also, you gotta love Claire's bed head. I guess the girls were going for the messy runway look.

Mitch and Claire the morning of her B-day.

Claire turns 2! We had Grandma Cynthia and Grandpa come over for her party. She is soooo into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse right now. And...it's all about Minnie!

My Grandpa Furness turned 98 in June! It was so neat to be able to celebrate with him and with Aunts Mary, and Martha, and Uncles Roger and Wayne. Amber and her kids were here visiting from Georgia so we all made him a cake and had fun helping him blow out the candles!




Here are all the kids crowded around his kitchen table.