Twenty-Seven Years Ago Today

I've struggled with how to do this post, but still feel like I need to, so here it is.  Twenty-seven years ago my life and the lives of my family changed forever.  Twenty-seven years ago today my brother, Cris Carl Henningson, left this earth for a better place.  I was only 5 at the time, and I don't remember very much about the days following, but I do remember the love that I felt from and for my older brother.  He was a great example to me and I will always be greatful for his life and the opportunity I had, and will have, to get to know and love him.  While having a sibling die is a hard thing to deal with, I know that I am a better person today because of Cris and his life and death.  I've tried to live my life so that I will be worthy to see Cris again.  Because of my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, I've tried my best to live in a way that would make Cris proud to be my older brother.  Having an older brother look after me the way I know Cris is has made me the person I am today and I am grateful for that.  I look forward to the day when I will be able to thank Cris for everything he has done for me and give him a great big hug, but until then I will continue to live my life the best I can.

My brother Cris giving me a bath.

Dale Bryan, Cris Carl, Kendall Clair, Jenny LeOra, & Wendy Kay

Me, Cris, & Jenny

Kendall, Dale B, Cris, Jenny & Me

Dale B, Kendall, Me, & Jenny taken one year after Cris was killed in a rock slide at Topaz Mountain.  I still have a necklace with a piece of Topaz we found on this trip.  I love the fact that my birthstone is Topaz because it gives me another special connection to Cris.

I love you Cris!  Thanks for all of the lessons you've taught me in life as well as in death!

Henningson Family Fun!

My older sister and her family came from Wisconsin during Spring Break.  We had a lot of fun hanging out together as a family, even if the weather spoiled some of our plans.

There are 27 of us when we all get together and it is so much fun.  The cousins consist of Dalliam-17, Bryan-15, Kyler-8, Elizabeth-8, Jay-7, Alan-6, Kaylee-5, Braxton-4, Joshua-4, Kenyon-3, Rebekah-2, Rylie-2, Evelyn-1, Tyson-1/2, and Jessica-1/2.

Isn't my dad so cool?

On Thursday evening we all had dinner at Kendall and Sheri's house and then went to the movie "How To Train Your Dragon."

On Friday the grandkids decorated Easter Eggs, we had family pictures taken, and then had dinner at our house.

Grandpa Henningson with Evelyn and Tyson

Saturday morning we had breakfast at Dale and Lilliam's house and then took the kids to the park for the city Easter Egg Hunt.  It was a lot of fun, even if it did snow on us!

Isn't this the cutest picture of Evelyn and Rebekah?

Kenyon, Evelyn, Kaylee, Kyler, Elizabeth, and Alan after the hunt.

One of the many family meals we had.

The Henningson Sisters:  Charlotte, Jenny and Wendy

Saturday night, Dalliam and Bryan watched the kids so the adults could go to the movie.  They sure had their hands full, but it was nice to get away with just the adults for a little bit.

On Sunday we had another Easter Egg Hunt.  This one was at Grandma Henningson's house and the weather was a little better.

After the kids found some eggs, we went to Red Point to roll, or in some cases throw, them down the hill!

Monday we went to visit Great Grandpa Poulsen.  Josh, Kenyon, Jessica,  Great Grandpa, Tyson, Elizabeth, Evelyn, Kaylee, Alan, Jenny, and Rebekah.

After picking Kyler up from school, we went to the temple to take some pictures.  The wind was blowing really hard so the kids tried to hide in a corner.

Jenny and her family left Tuesday morning to head back home.  We are so glad they were able to come and visit, and we can't wait until they come again.

Where's Blankie Bear?

The other day when I was doing laundry, Evelyn decided she wanted to help by putting Blankie Bear in the washer.  It needed to be washed so I closed the door and started it up.  Needless to say, Evelyn wasn't very happy about it.

They were so happy to be reunited when Blankie Bear was all clean and dry!