The HENDRICKSON Family: October 2023

We got a new German Shepherd puppy on October 3rd. To make a long story short we (Sarah) found a dog at our house that evening, we returned it to its owner, and were offered a puppy. He is SO cute! BIG ears and big feet, and a nice little personality. Keeping with our Disney names for our pets theme, we chose the name "GUS". Gus was a cute little mouse from the 1950 Disney animated movie Cinderella. There were a pair of mice that were close companions of Cinderella. Jaq was the fearless and quick-witted brains of the duo, acting as the leader of the household mischief. Gus, meanwhile, was a slow-witted bruiser with an excessive appetite. So far, our Gus seems SUPER smart with an excessive appetite.

Our other dog, Belle, and Gus get along well. They play hard and wrestle, and then nap. We think they will be good friends. Because our 20th anniversary was on October 4th, Eric told me Gus could be my anniversary gift. Although he was given to us, dogs/puppies are definitely not free...vet, food, care. I smiled and gladly accepted my cute gift. He knew that I had a wanted a German Shepherd for a long time and this was perfect. Welcome to our family, Gus!

Phoebe's first choir concert was at the beginning of October. She tried out for and made the Silverbacks choir at her middle school again this year. She is a soprano. The choir sang well. She was also selected to take part in the Patriot League Honor Choir later in November.

Sarah and Noah walk to class together most mornings. During Homecoming week, each day was a different spirit day. Below was "anything but a backpack day"

More puppy pictures with Belle and Gus, and Gus's first vet visit.... He was such a good boy. He sat calmly, got onto the scale, and even laid down and fell asleep waiting for the vet to come in for his checkup.

Eric's Grandma, Dorothy (Grandma Great to our kids) died September 29th. We had her funeral on Thursday, October 5th. Dorothy was a true gem. She loved Eric and I, and our children, and my parents very much. She was classy and caring, genuine, and so very kind, and she was invested in our lives. She had beautiful cursive handwriting. She played the piano with ease and enjoyed playing for others. She always had the most beautiful flower gardens, grew tomatoes and strawberries, and worked hard in her yard - mowing and keeping it manicured and beautiful. She loved talking to me and playing with our kids when they were little. As they got older she enjoyed coming to watch them play basketball, softball, and baseball. I am so thankful that we lived close to her and she got to be such a big part of my life and our kids' lives. Eric loved her so much and she loved him so much too. He was her oldest grandchild and they had a very special bond. We will all miss her so very much.

Below, Eric's brothers and his first cousins, left to right - Ken, Patrick, Daniel, Joseph, Marc, Ann, Eric, Allison, Nathan, Hannah, and Bret.

Below, Eric's family - Aunts, Uncles, Mom, brothers, cousins, his wife, and his children.

We got to go to one of Will's soccer games. He always plays hard. He is fast and is not afraid to get right in after the ball. Below, left to right, Karen Paul, Stacee, Mitch, Will, Sarah, Eric, Bret, and Phoebe.

We had a big 20th anniversary party on Sunday, October 8th. We invited some of our best friends and close family. It was a great afternoon and evening filled with a surprise proposal and vow renewal, good food, games, and dancing.

Silas ran in his school's fun run in mid-October. Fourth and fifth graders all ran one mile. Silas had been running each day during noon fitness and was ready for the race. He ran hard and turned in a time of 7:45, coming in 2nd place, right in between two fast fourth graders. He was the first fifth grader to cross the finish line.

Phoebe's volleyball team had "White Lie" day on their last day of practice. Each girl wrote a white lie about themselves on a white t-shirt and wore it to practice. Phoebe's white lie was "I'm the LOUDEST one on the team!" Her friend Haylee's said "I can't jump serve."

One year. (October 13th) One year without talking to you, Mom. One year without a hug or kiss on my cheek from you. One year without my biggest cheerleader. One year without hearing a single encouraging word from you. One year of not being able to pick up the phone and call you about any little or big thing. One year of missing you so much that at times it seems unbearable and gut wrenching. One year of being strong and trying to hold it together for our family in your absence. We all miss you so much, Mom.

Phoebe's volleyball team played in an end of the season tournament. They played their BEST volleyball of the season as a team, taking third place. It was a lot of fun to watch them.

Below, our girls with Coach Hunt. She coached both of our girls for their 8th grade volleyball season.

Below, a view from above of some of our chickens who were thirsty gathered around a water bowl.

Right on the heels of volleyball season ending, Phoebe tried out for and made the 8th grade basketball team! Yay! Go Phoebe, go!

Phoebe got to go out to dinner with the Jacobs family for Traci's birthday. She had a great time! Thank you , Steve and Traci!

We took a fun little trip to Branson to see all the great jack-o-lanterns at Silver Dollar City during their Pumpkin Nights Festival. It was a great trip! Wonderful weather, lots of rides, and shows, and pumpkins! We also got to go to an Oak Ridge Boys concert at the Mansion Theatre. Eric and I have seen them several times in concert and they are always fantastic!

Silas got to go to his friend Owen's birthday party. They went to a Pumpkin Patch and had loads of fun together. A highlight for Silas was getting to hold some snakes and different reptiles.