Gonna Fly Now", also known as "Theme from Rocky," is the theme song from the movie Rocky, and was a hit in 1977. Time goes by too fast for me. To remind you of that, and to invest your time wisely- I added photos taken on my phone and the dates to the Rocky Theme Song. (Some do not want photos taken and this is not all we did) I hope it encourages you to count your blessings and make the best of your time. We are so thankful for our family and friends and those who helped make 2015 such a wonderful year. Happy New Year.
Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to
“A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.
May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
I should post a new video of Caitlyn, rather than this one I made five years ago. She helped me see the world- pointing out things I seemed to miss. She could be so quiet as she listened and took in conversations, but also so talkative as she expresses herself. I would get to play “mommy”, play in hot tub, swing, and eat McDonalds Chicken Nuggets, apples and chocolate milk. Bedtime stories were usually the same nursery rhyme book. Since I posted this video 2 years ago- Caitlyn has grown up so much, maybe faster than she needed? She still loves the hot tub, She loves Disney role play Stories and her role models I have no control over. I am so thankful for memories, her solid foundation, and the blessing she is to us. Last Saturday while playing school with her, (she was the teacher and I was a 2nd grader) one of the questions was when was her birthday- She had to help me, but I got it on the 2nd guess. I love being a Grandpa and I love Caitlyn Rae Wentworth!
The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.Billy Graham
I love this time of year. I love to say Merry Christmas and not be ashamed or politically correct of the real meaning of Christmas. For 28 years we have sent out our cards on Dec. 7th and for past 10 years made that card into a video. This years song is by Ken and Sherri Easter called "The Greatest Gift Of All". I hope it gets caught in your mind and you sing it all day long. I look forward to hearing from friends this time of year- for many it is a memory that I cherish even more until we meet in Heaven. We have so much to be thankful for and I pray Gods Blessings on you. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and have experienced the Greatest Gift of All.
2015
Merry Christmas
From the Hendricks Family
Christmas is my favorite time of the year.
A Season filled with joy, hope and good cheer.
A card, letter, comment from friends far and near,
So grateful for the memories we made this past year,
This is tenth Video and twenty eighth Christmas Letter,
After 23 years, we finally sold our 1967 Mercury Cougar,
Dennis is still working in maintenance and on paint striper,
Jan did Royal Family Camp, now a part time nursery director,
Her Row by row quilt won so entered some hobbies in the fair,
Dennis has 200 videos on youtube, and been a 6year Blogger,
We vacationed on the Olympic Peninsula in a tent this summer,
And the 3 days at Disneyland in March we will always remember,
The Water slide park in Chelan, or Wing and Wheels last October,
The Lava Rock Caves, Smallwoods, hockey, mariners, and more,
Barney our pet bird, now has a female mate who is also a conure,
Did we include Storytime, McDonalds, parks, or pushing a stroller
May this find you Healthy, Happy, Blessed and Ok, is our prayer
God Bless you with a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Tomorrow I send out our Christmas Letters, a tradition, since before 1989. In 2005 I started making a video with that letter, and todays video is my 9th video I shared with you. I started it, to look back at the year and count my blessings, I love to look back as I review the letters, photos and videos. I truly hope you have a wonderful Christmas no matter what the pain or suffering you may have experienced this year. God is in control, and he loves you very much. I wish I could personally deliver this to you with a hug or handshake, Internet has its positive and negative sides, and that may not be possible today. Feel free to leave a comment or write back...If you want to see earlier videos, just visit the label called Christmas-family. Happy Birthday Jesus.
2014
Merry Christmas
From the Hendricks Family
This year has passed far too quickly
So this Christmas Video made for you to see
Thankful we can connect via internet almost totally,
Wedding, Birthdays, Tulip Festival were a great memory,
Loosing loved ones this year is very tough on Jan and Me,
And Ballet, Soccer and Football, starring our grandkids to see,
Spent a day at Silverwood, & at the Chelan Water Park with family,
Camped at KOA in Concrete and traveled the North Cross Hwy to see,
Family reunion in Portland and Helena, and visiting with Patti and Bobbi,
Dennis is plowing snow and striping roads for the Washington State DOT,
Posted 25 Blogs per month, and 173 videos on Vimeo.com or You tube to see,
Jan has retired as children’s pastor after 22 years and now has time to watch Billy,
Still Abigail the Clown, & helping at Lost Lake Camp and at Camp Royal Family,
Spinning Yarn, Quilting, sewing, crochet, & painting, fill her time as favorite hobby,
Barnabas, our pet parrot, flew out the door and was rescued by the Humane Society
Princess our cat had a habit of biting that would not stop so we had to say goodbye
In July our renters moved out, after a 106 day listing, the house now is sold-thankfully
We Pray Gods blessings upon you and hope this find you safe, healthy, and happy,
As we celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ, and promised return again for you and me.
I finally finished this years Christmas video- but I still enjoy looking at past years and reliving those moments. So please forgive me as I post a video from 2013 for todays posting. I hope this year is filled with happy memories and moments you can cherish for years to come and those who outlive you will remember you by. Have A Merry Christmas. (I love saying that)
2013
Merry Christmas
From the Hendricks Family
Time for a Christmas letter hopefully,
And our video of the year in review to see,
We are thankful that you are friends and Family,
A Cruise last February was our most fun memory,
Celebrating Jans Birthday from New Orleans at sea,
We took grandkids to Raptor Reef and Chuck E Cheese
April 26th we welcomed our 6th grandchild, named Billy
June was mom’s memorial service at Oceanside with family,
Our family met at Enchanted Village for a fun day in mid-July,
Trent joined us for Silverwood for a single day of fun and memory,
In August, We celebrated our 40 year class Reunion in Grand Coulee,
Soccer and Apple Sox games and the big wedding for Darcie and Donnie,
Dennis is still plowing snow, and striping roads for the Washington D.O.T.
Posting a blog every day, Facebook, and has 149 videos on Youtube.com to see
Jan had Lost Lake, Royal Family camp, Kids church, and Impact Girls to keep busy
Abigail the Clown, as well as Knitting, painting, sewing are part of her life and a hobby,
Barnabas our Parrot likes to sit on our shoulders and Princess our kitten is so full of energy,
We Pray for Gods richest blessings on you, and that this finds you safe, healthy, and happy,
Celebrating the greatest gift of Jesus, and looking to promised return someday for you & me
For the past 28 years we have tried to make our Christmas letter a one page poem, and for the past 10 years we have created a video of the previous years’ photos that follow the Christmas letter and that years highlights. 2012 years’ video song is from Steven Curtis Chapman called The Christmas Card. I found the words most fitting and hope my photos do not distract from that message. We had not done any one big item that year, but so thankful for the little moments that meant so much and for friends like you that fill our memories. Just as we completed the video, we had to put down our cat we had for 17 years and on Dec 21st, Jans mom went home to her reward and is free from pain now- Celebrating Christmas in Heaven. I wish we could visit you in person- hopefully at least we can hear back from you. We want to Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Below is our Christmas Traditional Christmas Letter and if you click on the video, you will see our traditional Christmas Video for 2012.
2012
Merry Christmas
From the Hendricks Family
Remembering what happened isn’t easy
So We made a video of this past year to see
Postage rose, so we using internet now totally
The Lady of The Lake trip was a most fun memory
A North Cross trip in October with Jan was so pretty,
The Nutcracker Ballet in Seattle staring Grace we did see
We visited Silverwood Park and Riverfront Park with family,
Spending a day at Puyallup Fair with Trent was a great memory,
Took the grandkids to the Raptor Reef Park and to Chuck E Cheese,
Dennis is still plowing snow and striping roads for Washington D.O.T.
He has Posted a blog every day, and has 149 videos on Youtube.com to see
The Mission trip to Uganda, and Thailand, kept Jan and Abigail the clown busy
Jan took a short sabbatical and attended Children’s Conference in the windy city
Kids Church, Mega Sports camp, Lost Lake Camps, Stars sleepover at Grand Coulee
Barnabas our Parrot likes to sit on shoulders and Madison our cat woke us up daily
Madison had to be down and Hospice had to be called in for mom this week we sadly say
We Pray Gods richest blessings upon you, and this finds you safe, healthy, and happy
As we celebrate the best gift of Jesus, and his promised return again now for you and me
Looking back at past Christmas Videos, reminds me how blessed we are and also reminds me how fast time keeps moving on. This is actually a video I made five years ago for our annual Christmas card. I hope these videos remind you of your past Christmas's, good memories, and most of all, the very first Christmas- that Holy Night long ago. I am actually glad time does not stand still, That baby we sing about is no longer a baby, nor is he still in the grave- he is in Heaven, sitting on the right hand of God today, the King of Kings, and is in control, and someday he will return; One Holy Night, for us. The bible says he will come as a thief in the night. I hope you are ready- never could figure out why no one had not made room for him with all the prophecies of when/where he would be born. Merry Christmas.
Season’s Greetings from the Hendricks Family 2010
It’s Just several weeks before Christmas as again I wonder where this year has went?
This will be our 23rd Christmas letter and 7th Christmas video when finally done and sent,
So why do we have to outdo the previous year in new ways to share our memories and fun?
I would be happy with a call or card to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone.
On Last Christmas Day Dawn/ Derek moved to Kirkland, so we made several trips over there to see
Underground Seattle, Woodland Zoo, Flight Museum, Grace in the Nutcracker Ballet, rode the ferry
A trip to Smallwoods, Chuck E Cheese, Waterpark, Slidewaters, and Silverwood with Darcie’s family
The Stehiken Boat trip with Jan’s mom between her dr. appointments, church, shopping, and laundry,
In June we attended the Smith reunion, and a Labor Day reunion at Hydro Park for DuCette family
Dennis has 6 humor books and a few new videos; type his name under search on youtube.com to see
Now on Facebook, a daily blog, city council, paint striping, plowing, sold his Corolla to buy a CRV
Jan to District council, Nitro, Stars Overnighter, Mega Sports Camp, Lost Lake Camp, Royal Family
Busy as Kids pastor, sewing, copying the Bible by hand, a trip to Montana, relaxes by watching TV
Renting out house in Tumwater; still have Cat Madison and Conure bird “Barnabus” that is a baby
We are praying that this letter will find you safe, happy, healthy, thankful and all for you is Okay,
May God Richly Bless You and you have the Greatest Christmas and a Most Happy Holiday!
I love Snow and I hope we get lots of snow this winter. I am looking forward to my first snowman of this year. It makes it a bit difficult as normally when it is snowing, I am working, but I always find time to build a snowman and love it when the Grandkids let me help them. I hope this video brings out the kid in you- some of the snowmen in this video are almost 39 years ago and some are part of our house. I hope you recognize some of the children in this video and I hope building a snowman is on your bucket list of things to do.
Above is Jans newest Art work that was completed last week. I will probably become famous after we are long gone and just after this video hits gold. Good Job Janice.
It had been snowing all night - So ......................:
8:00 am I made a snowman.
8:10 A feminist passed by and asked me why I didn't make a snow woman.
8:15 So, I made a snow woman.
8:17 My feminist neighbor complained about the snow woman's voluptuous chest saying it objectified snow women everywhere.
8:20 The gay couple living nearby threw a hissy fit and moaned it could have been two snow men instead.
8:22 The transgender ma..wom...person asked why I didn't just make one snow person with detachable parts.
8:25 The vegans at the end of the lane complained about the carrot nose, as veggies are food and not to decorate snow figures with.
8:28 I am being called a racist because the snow couple is white.
8:31 The Muslim gent across the road demands the snow woman wear a burqa.
8:40 The Police arrive saying someone has been offended.
8:42 The feminist neighbor complained again that the broomstick of the snow woman needs to be removed because it depicted women in a domestic role.
8:43 The council equality officer arrived and threatened me with eviction.
8:45 TV news crew from the ABC shows up. I am asked if I know the difference between snowmen and snow-women? I reply, "Snowballs" and am now called a sexist.
9:00 I'm on the News as a suspected terrorist, racist, homophobe sensibility offender, bent on stirring up trouble during difficult weather.
9:10 I am asked if I have any accomplices. My children are taken by social services.
Moral: There is no moral to this story. It's just a view of the world in which we live today, and it is only getting worse.
I love the song Silent Night, I think it is one of the earliest Christmas songs I remember learning/singing. Since I made this video six years ago, I decided to post a photo of my grandkids that was made probably 6 years ago as well. I also posted a scanned copy of the Christmas letter we sent out 26 years ago. Jeremy who would draw pictures on the cards, we each would sign our names on card, we mailed out the cards back then, and I would also post that card in a photo album and add a few photos taken that Christmas for remembrance- so thus the scanned page you are seeing- I wish the print came out larger- but as they say, a picture says a thousand words.
Season's Greetings from The Hendricks Family 2009 Thanksgiving is over, the tree is going up, and the Christmas music sounds so great, I need to hurry to write this Christmas letter and a Christmas video before it is too late. We celebrated Jan's birthday with the Grandkids at a indoor water park away from snow Our 35th Anniversary was spent at Ocean Side in Oregon where Jan as a child would go We helped with our church's 2nd Royal Family Kids Camp for foster abused kids In June Immediately after that we spent a long week with mom at the Hospital emergency room, We got to visit with her family, her house is to be sold, and she now lives in Wenatchee, In August we had so much fun at our Annual Silver wood Theme Park Day with family, Our renters of 7 years moved out, pray that we can sell or rent our house in Tumwater, In October we took a much needed cruise to the Mexico Riviera on the Norwegian Star, Jan as a kid's pastor does kids church, camps, Missionettes, LITE, and Abigail the Clown, Also help her mom with her bills, pills, shopping, appointments and getting around town, Dennis still teaches 4th/5th graders, striping roads in summer and in winter plowing snow City council, humor books, his new blog, time with grandkids, and making another video We still have Madison our cat, and 5 little fish that I would trade for a bird if it was to me Go to youtube.com; type in Dennis Hendricks under search, for his latest video to see. We are so thankful to God for his many blessings and sending Jesus, his son, Watching, waiting and ready for that day when he promised to again come. We pray this letter finds you are safe, happy, and healthy and all is okay, May God Richly Bless you, and give you the most Happy Holiday
In 2009 I made two Christmas videos, this is not our main video but I hope you enjoy it as it shows Christmas in our house and our pets that year. Below is a card from 1989- no videos then.
Today’s Christmas video song is called Christmas Sometimes Makes Me Cry,I know each of us have had disappointments and things do not always go as planned. Even back in 2008 we experienced our first house fire- it is easy to look back, but at the time things looked very differently. Even though this video was made 7 years ago- some things have changed, that we miss and brings pain. I also think of the ones who I cannot send or receive a card from this year- and the pain those are feeling- missing them.I remember the quote from It's A Wonderful Life, "Each Man's life touches so many other lives"-even the ones who helped make this trip possible. I have been touched by so many wonderful lives- thank you. And please stop to think before you do something stupid- "how many lives will that decision affect? Your life and decisions touch so many others. Can I post one more quote from that movie? "Dear George: Remember no man is a failure who has friends. P.S. Thanks for the wings! Love, Clarence." A bell rings, and his daughter Zuzu remembers that it means an angel has earned his wings. George realizes that he truly has a wonderful life.
Season’s Greetings from the Hendricks
It’s snowing outside so I better write our Christmas letter and make a Christmas video,
I review the year so I can remember and help understand where the year really did go
Last April 4th we had a house fire caused by a bad extension cord that came as a shock,
Seeing 34 years of material things thrown in dumpster reminded us of what’s important,
Family and friends, we felt your prayers, saw Gods grace, and we grew closer together,
Received a housewarming shower, and watched our grandkids grow so much this year,
For six months we lived in a trailer with our cat Madison that was next door to grandkids
Our April train trip to Seattle was rescheduled to September for a Neil Diamond Concert
In June we helped with our church’s 1st annual Royal Family Kids Camp for abused kids
Our June Silverwood park trip saw rain, so we rescheduled it in August with grandkids,
In August we enjoyed a Gaither’s concert and special day in Spokane with church family
Jan’s been kid’s pastor for 15 years, directs Mega Sports Camp, kids church, and LITE,
Dennis still teaches 4th/5th graders, striping roads in summer and in winter plows snow,
City council, humor books, videos, and threatening to sell Cougar and Jan’s pink metro
Please join us December 20th for our open house here from 12-4 with cookies and coffee
Go to youtube.com, type in Dennis Hendricks under search, for Christmas video to see
Christmas is not about us; it’s about Jesus the light of the World, and his gift to accept,
We have so much to be thankful for and hope this brings you happiness, peace and joy,
We pray that you have a Merry Christmas with a Blessed and Prosperous New Year.
In 2007 I used the song "I'd Still Like to Go To Grandmas House For Christmas" as sang by the Talleys for our Christmas video. I think it is my most popular Christmas video on Youtube.com? Of coarse I have great memories of Christmas at my Grandmas- what great memories and what a great part of Christmas. 2007 was tough, as Jans mom was in her final days- the family has been called in and we don't know if she will have Christmas with us or in Heaven that year. She would be 93 next February. This video was made 8 years ago and the Christmas Letter below the actual 2007 letter was written 28 years ago- it was one of our first Christmas letters written and we were just moving to East Wenatchee in 1987- in fact we moved on Christmas Day in a U-haul truck.
It's been a twenty year tradition to send a verse about last year in review,
Hoping that we will receive a visit, call or letter from our friends like you.
Our tree is up, it's snowing outside and Christmas music sounds so great,
I must write a Christmas letter and a Christmas video, before it's too late.
We took our first week long cruise to Alaska with several friends last May,
In August we went to Silverwood Park for a annual fun filled Family Day.
October was so beautiful as we drove to Montana to visit family in Helena,
We love the time we spend with 5 grandkids as a Grandma and Grandpa.
Dennis still stripes state roads in summer and in winter he plows the snow,
Publishes humor books and on Youtube.com you can search for his video,
Teaches 4th /5th graders and re-elected for his final term as city councilman,
Pastimes are his 67 Cougar, computer, Tika our bird and our cat Madison.
Janice does Abigail the Clown and next June a Royal Family Camp director,
Working on her 57 Metropolitan car, and over 15 years as children's pastor,
Time for sewing, knitting, tatting, Mega Sports camp, and camp counselor,
Aerobics, lunch with the girls, shopping, and has to watch CSI and Survivor.
Cody, 3, buckles his seat belt. Caitlyn, 5 months, has teeth and rolls over,
Emilee, 5, loves animals, kindergarten, climbing, swimming, and soccer.
Grace, 8, takes piano and dance lessons, is on JBQ, and is always busy.
Trent, 4, loves his donkey, making people laugh, preschool, his cat Baby.
The Greatest Gift is Jesus, and his promise to come again for you and me
We Pray God will Bless you, and you are always safe, healthy and happy.
Dennis and Janice Hendricks 2007
In 2007 I actually made two videos- the one above is by Jake Hess and called Christmas. I will let you decide which one you like better. The hardest part of making a video is choosing the song.
In 2007 Darcie posted this video on Youtube- it has since been removed, but I saved it and am posting it as part of the 2007 Christmas Blog Videos. Hope you enjoy our grandkids.
Someone told me today may be Patti Mahlum's Birthday? Happy Birthday Patti. Hope you have a wonderful Birthday and enjoy lots of cake. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
Nine years ago we used the song "He is the Reason for the Season" for our Christmas Video. As you can tell, traditions are important and we don't lead a really eventful life- but I am thankful for those "moments" and "memories" and the "little things" that mean a lot to me. Below I posted our Christmas letter from 1996- nineteen years ago. I hope you have a Wonderful Christmas. The words to the video song are posted below as well for the year 2006. (nine years ago)
