...I'm Going There Someday

Last night Robert and I were able to take Linda to the temple for her first time, to do baptisms and confirmations. It was such a special night. We're proud of Linda for making good choices and being worthy to enter the temple. 
Linda had a smile on her face after each of the 7 baptisms she did. I couldn't help but think during her confirmations how lucky those waiting for their work to be done were for having such a pure young woman able to do their work for them. 
Bruce and Linda go to the temple together tonight with the YM/YW in our ward. It's so neat that half or our children will be in the temple together. :) 
The temple was even more beautiful last night because it is decorated for Christmas.

Fakesgiving and Thanksgiving

Everyone in my family, besides Jenny's family and Robert, were able to get together the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We had our Thanksgiving on Tuesday. We had a great time together. We ate out, went to the movies, made s'mores, and went ice blocking at the park. Here are some pictures.

On Wednesday we picked Robert up from work and headed out on a little 2 night vacation at a hotel and Universal Studios Hollywood. We had a great time. We went to USH Wednesday evening and then all day Thanksgiving. Harry Potter World was really cool.

Linda is 12!

Linda turned 12 years old on the 22nd of November. Linda is a lady, a leader, creative, compassionate, and determined. We love her so much! She started Young Women's this past Sunday at church and even got her first temple recommend. We're excited for Linda to experience all of the exciting things that growing up will bring to her life. 

Here is Grandpa and Linda's birthday pictures together for the past 12 years.

Linda's birthday happened to be on the only day my family could get together for Thanksgiving, which was the Tuesday before. We had a surprise breakfast party for her and a very fun day. 

This Thanksgiving we are very grateful for Linda!

Scouting Update

Here is where Bruce stands with all of his merit badges.  He achieved the rank of Life Scout last month.

He still needs to complete the ones in red. 

He's been working hard. 

Current Rank : LIFE

13 Required Merit Badges

1. CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY

2. CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD

3. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

4. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

5. FIRST AID

6. PERSONAL FITNESS

7. FAMILY LIFE 

8. CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION

9. SWIMMING

10. COOKING

11.COMMUNICATIONS

12. CAMPING

13. PERSONAL MANAGEMENT

8 Additional Merit Badges Required

1. ARCHERY 

2. CHEMISTRY

3. SCHOLARSHIP

4. WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

5. RADIO

6. GENEALOGY

7. PROGRAMMING

8. ROBOTICS

Other Merit Badges & Awards Earned

Cyber Chip

Astronomy

Geology

Mining In Society

Plumbing

Rowing

Family Pictures

My good friend took some pictures of our family in Fallbrook last week. 

Here are a few of my favorites.

Bruce 13 years old

 Claire 8 years old

 Jane 10 years old

 Linda 11(almost 12) years old

Halloween 2016

We had a lot of fun this Halloween. We attended the carnival at the elementary school, went to the church trunk or treat, then went trick or treating for about 1hr. 30min. last night. The kids had so much fun walking around together. I love watching them make memories. My mom was down for Halloween and it was fun having her. Here are a few pictures of their costumes and the candy they "earned". :)

 Let the candy trading begin!! :)

 Bruce dressed up as One Direction. 

Linda was an Indian. 

Jane was a Greek goddess.

Claire was Pikachu.

Happy 41st to Robert!

Robert celebrated his 41st birthday on the 13th. He worked long hours that day so he was only home for a couple hours to celebrate before he had to head to bed. We celebrated with a few presents and ColdStone ice cream, his favorite. 

We love Robert. He works tirelessly to take care of all of us and we appreciate it so much. 

Phase 1 Complete

Jane finished phase 1 with her braces. She had braces and an expander on for a year to correct her overbite and crossbite. She was a real trooper with the expander and with the rubber bands she also had to wear. The pictures on the left are Before and the ones on the right are After. You can see in the bottom left picture how bad her overbite was. She could fit her index finger behind them. Her mouth is much wider now and her bite is so much better. Now we get used to wearing a retainer.

Back To School!

Well, school is back in session. The summer was short, but we managed to pack in two camps, a family reunion and a family vacation. The kids all headed back to school in mid-August. 

Bruce and Linda headed out to Lincoln Middle School bright and early. 

Linda started 7th grade. She is taking orchestra as her elective again. So far she is happy with her teachers and ready to get signed up for volleyball and possibly golf through the school.

Bruce started 8th grade, his last year in middle school! He definitely looks like an 8th grader now. He is taking Advanced Computer Programming as his elective. He is also in high school math. He's getting ready to sign up for cross country running for the first time.

Jane and Claire headed to elementary school a little later on that morning. 

Claire started the 3rd grade. She was very excited and we both love her teacher this year, Mr. Phillips. He's a perfect fit for Claire. She will start up with Speech services again very soon.

Jane is in 5th grade, her very last year in elementary school! Hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday that she was starting Kindergarten. Her teacher, Mrs. Carter is new to the school this year. Jane really likes her

When the kids started school, I started working part time. I work at the elementary school and will work occasionally at the middle school. I'm a Noon Duty at the elementary school and a sub for the student store at the middle school. 

Jane's 10th Birthday!

August 16, 2016

Jane celebrated her 10th birthday this month. She hadn't had a birthday party of her own in a long time, so we decided to have a puppy themed party. She had so much fun. We love Jane. This girl is going places in life.

On her actual birthday, the 16th, we had her favorite, peanut butter bars.

Here are some pictures of her party the weekend after. The kids adopted puppies, played fetch, made collars for their dogs, and Linda did face painting. I think it was birthday party success.