HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHERI!

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!"
Fun Party! Johnny, Anne and Joshie are back in Germany, but the rest of us are all together!

Birthday party at Sheri's! She's 45 years young!

Dad, Jen, Brent David, RickyPreston and Ricky, after a rousing shooting game. Note the gun. Dangerous!
Rick scores well in the game. The rest of the guys came back bleeding. Oh dear!
Brent David wears his protective goggles during the attack.
Joseph loves games. Have you noticed? He's always happy!
Tammy tries out the hoola-hoop while Jen looks on.
Sheri joins in the fun.
Family communication is great!
The guys are in remorse over their battle wounds. They each point to their sores. Clockwise:
Dad, Preston, Jack, Mike Bentley (Kristyl's husband), Brent David, Joseph, Rick

Family Picture. Taylor, Brooke, Madi, Sam, Kristyl, Kim and Carter join the fun.

I STILL WANT JUST MY HOME

Hi Honey's! This song is what I wrote on Mothers' Day this year. I was so sick, I just stayed home and couldn't see any of you...very disappointing! Here is the first page of my four-page beauty! Below, you'll see the text captured with some of your cute pictures. Enjoy!

I STILL WANT JUST MY HOME

If the skies could offer me a thousand stars,

~1997 Thompson Reunion, visiting Zion's National Park~

If the rivers followed where I roam,

~Brent E. Heninger, 1950, Tap Dance Routine~

If the prairies surrounded me with fertile fields,

~1979 Ricky, Johnny, Brent David, Disneyland trip~

I still want just my home.

~Kaye Starr with Clark on blessing day, January 1976~

If my stage of life is full of rich applause,

~Johnny and Anne, wedding day in Seattle, March 1997~

And my fame has traveled clear to Rome,

~1997 Thompson Reunion at the Grand Canyon, Holly, Kristen Hardman, Ricky~

If the luster of gold is calling out ot me,

~1997 "Train Wreck"~

I still want just my home.

~Kaye Starr, age 19 (1964). Brent, age 21 (1954)~

For it's here, where grow our roots of family,

~1997 Lindy Hull, age 81~

Here, is peace and our security.

~1992, Laura and Preston Carling~

Here, we'll create our own destiny.
~June 2008, Charlotte and Aaron Jensen~

Here, within our home.

~1997 Mom with family~

As a child, I loved to play upon a swing,

~1980, Joseph~

As a mom, I kissed your broken bone.

~1997, Duke, kicking the ice cycles~

Now you've grown, but still I hear my glad heart sing

~1997, Grant's college degree~

When you come to my home.

~1945 extended family picture. Can you find Mom and Dad?

(Hint: I'm sitting on Grandpa's lap.)

THE MORMON PIONEER TRAIL

We had a real fun western outing! Dad and I put on Fay and Verla Hull's Children's Music (old-time cowboy-western and other favorites we loved as kids) and went for a ride in my new Honda Civic Hybrid! My car is cool and the music was perfect! Ah, nostalgia! After the ride, we came home and watched "The Man from Laramie," a perfect movie after a western outing.
Our western trip led us through Emigration Canyon to the East Canyon Reservoir, shown here. The Pioneers, Pony Express and others came through this area to get to the valley (behind us from this view). Down there is seen where "Willow Springs" was, where many camped after the descent from "Big Mountain."

"Little Mountain" was crossed after "Big Mountain, " heading down toward the valley behind us.

Click on the next two pictures and read about it.

This is a view of Parley's Canyon road (I-80) (seen from Emigration Canyon road) that leads to Park City, a few miles to the left.

Orson Pratt and company camped here. There is a very steep descent down to this grove.

"Quaking Asp Grove"

Coming down from "Big Mountain" was a harrowing experience for the pioneers and many others. Please click and read.

I'm sitting on the summit of "Big Mountain," looking toward the SL Valley. This is where Brigham Young raised himself up from his sickbed in the wagon, looked out toward the valley, and said, "This is the right place. Drive on!"

From that point it took many days and much effort to actually arrive in the valley. From my chair I can see a trailhead that the orginal travelers used.

At this time of year, the mountain flowers are in full bloom.
It's very warm and "buggy" outside. I have great appreciation for the pioneer legacy of sacrifice.
Brent stands by the trailhead sign. Darn! We've run out of sunlight. Time to make camp!
Our air-conditioned car takes us comfortably back home in 30 minutes. My mountain flowers tell us it's 80 degrees. I love this weather and can enjoy it because of the sacrifice of others who came before me.

We've enjoyed the scenery; we've enjoyed our cousins' country music all the way down the canyon. Now it's time to watch our western classic starring James Stewart. We've had a good time!

INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR THE HENINGER'S

Dad's old ward in Salt Lake City put on a grand-slam breakfast at Lindsey Park, and we were invited! Below you will see Bill Kimball, who was Dad's counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency in the Ensign 8th Ward (as it was called then) when you kids lived on Terrace Hills Drive. He still remembers how dad bought the first mobile phone...when nobody else in the state of Utah had them! Additionally, I was very pleased to hear many kind things said about your father from this old friend of 35 years ago. Bill Kimball is now Bishop of that ward.

Will Rogers, Dad, Bill Kimball

Dad stands with an old friend who is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of Seventy.

Brent Heninger, Ron Poelman and Will Rogers

Dad sits with his former bishop, whose ancestor is Davy Crockett. This good man, who's now 87, remembers many wonderful things about the family.
Dad and Bishop Paul Crockett

Our invitation to this Independence Day breakfast came from this man, who is the brother of Will Rogers. Amazingly, Dad worked with him in 1973 when Ed was the owner of Utah Title Company and Brent E. Heninger Real Estate was the third largest real estate company in Utah. Ironically, it was just two days ago that Dad woke up early and remembered that Will, who lives at Friendship Manor, has a brother, Ed, who used to be his business friend!

Ed Rogers and Brent E. Heninger

Famous Celebrities: Will Rogers, Kaye Starr, and Davy (oops, Paul) Crockett

More of Dad's friends and associates from that area. They're learning about my music.

We make another jaunt to Roger's Ranch and met another celebrity: Cactus Jack

Taylor Farr, the horse masseuse, Cactus Jack and Dad

Cactus Jack: the song "...And his old hat looked fitting as he stood his stance. His long hair and 'stache was part of the man who rides as far and as steep as he can."

Taylor, Cactus Jack and Dad

Cactus Jack is a modern-day mountain man and lives in the mountains during the winter. He rides thousands of miles on horse back, raising money for kids in need. He gives bird shows and other western fare. He's a national celebrity. "...So ride on, Cactus, Ol' cowboy, so strong. It's all for the kids. It won't take long..."

Taylor, Mom, Cactus Jack and Cindy Frazier (masseuse)

Cactus Jack has been invited to appear on the Jay Leno Show, Oprah Winfrey Show, and other TV spots. He says, "You come to my spot, and you can film me here." He refuses to go to the city for shows.

Cactus Jack, Dad with a falcon, and therapist.

Did the falcon take a chunk out of Dad's head? (No! The bird is wearing a leather blindfold.) Did you know that falcons can swoop down to catch its prey at 327 MPH? They've been clocked doing it.

After our trip, guess what? Dad still has work to do, and got up early to face reality.