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. 

Our First Teenager!

Bruce turned 13 years old on August 12th. It's hard to believe we have a teenager, but between my gray hairs and Bruce's voice changing, I guess it's true! We are very proud of Bruce. He was born with a great spirit. He keeps us laughing and really does well at everything he tries.
Happy 13th Bruce! Earlier this year when we talked about how Bruce would be a teenager, Claire says, "He's going to be so defensive!". Haha
Bruce and I went to a movie in the morning. When we got back the girls had put up signs and decorated the house. What a lucky boy to have 3 sisters.

He chose to go to Red Robin for his birthday dinner. Grandpa met us there. Here's a picture of Bruce when the waiters are singing to him, and another of Grandpa Thompson handing down his name plate to Bruce. 

He had cinnamon rolls for his cake. Note to self, never use sparklers as candles. There was smoke and ash everywhere!

Family Vacation 2016

It's been many years since we've been able to go on a family vacation, and we all really needed to get away! We took a road trip to northern California. It was so nice to be away together. The kids loved staying at hotels. The farmlands and beaches were beautiful. I had no idea that Northern California had so many pine trees! 

Heading out of town below. Heading back home above.

The elephant seals we saw were huge. San Simeon, CA

They were in the pool most every day. We also had a nice hike along the coast in Cambria.

In Monterey we rode peddle boats and played at the park.

In San Francisco we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, walked around Golden Gate Bridge Park and visited the California Academy of Sciences.

Another hike just before getting on the way down from the Muir Woods.

 Yosemite National Park - It was beautiful. We saw 2 deer, hiked, played in a lake and a river.

 We drove to Palo Alto and visit the Stanford campus! It was beautiful and surrounded by woods. Now we know why the Stanford S has a tree in it. :)   (above)

We stayed in 3 different hotels. With our two cots it worked out great.

That's all the pictures I can fit! :)  Here's hoping for another family adventure next year.