Happy 43rd!

Robert turned 43yrs. old on the 16th. We got him the book light he's been wanting. We're pretty proud of ourselves for figuring out something he actually will use. We love Robert. Happy birthday! There were a whole lot of candles on his cake. :) 

Back to Work

A couple of weeks after the kids started school I started a new job. I work at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers as an Administrative Assistant. I work 30hrs. a week, 8:30am - 2:30pm. It's been an adjustment and it's a very orchestrated process with the kids, but I get out early enough to pick them up with not too much of a wait for them. It's much needed income. This year will be rough still having kids in three different schools. Next August we will only have two schools and Bruce should have his drivers license! So, I'm off on a new adventure. 

Girls Camp 2018!

I am the ward camp director for the YW program right now. I attended girls camp for the first time ever in July. Jane also attended for the first time. Linda is a pro, she's a 3rd year. It was fun being up there with the two girls, some friends, and our nieces/cousins. It was HOT but the girls had such a fun time playing games, lip syncing, hiking to the top of a mountain, making s'mores, having a ward testimony meeting, completing an obstacle course and much more! They were exhausted by the time we made it back home. They're already looking forward to next summer.

Here of a few pictures from the week.

Eagle Board of Review - Eagle Scout!

Bruce's Eagle Board of Review finally rolled around on the 16th. We met at the Bobier building with about five other young men waiting for their interview as well. He signed paperwork and then we waited...

Bruce and his scout leader were taken back and given instructions, then later on they were officially taken back where his scout leader, Brother Fisher, introduced him the the committee. He was then interviewed by the board. He was asked a lot of questions about his project and asked to recite some things. He was then sent back to the waiting area with us. Finally they called Bruce, his scout master, and Robert and I back and we stood in front of the board where they announced that he had passed his board of review and was now officially an eagle scout! Happy day! 

He has been working toward this goal since he was 8 years old. There were times he wanted to quit and times we wanted to let him quit. :) But he persevered and accomplished his goal. We're so proud of him. He put in so much time and effort, had to do things outside of his comfort zone, and do tons of paperwork. It all paid off. 

Introducing Bruce Thompson - Eagle Scout 

The board that interviewed him.

Jane is 12!

Jane turned 12 years old on the 16th. She had a fun birthday party at the trampoline park. She picked a chocolate/chocolate cake for her birthday dessert. Later in the afternoon Robert and Jane went to Pit Stop for her favorite grilled cheese. 
We love Jane. This will be a great year for her. This is the only year ever that she will be at a school with no siblings attending, she gets to start Young Women's at church, and soon she'll get to attend the temple for the first time! We're very proud of Jane. She always strives to do what is right. She has a good heart, she loves animals, she loves creating things, still plays the piano, and is obsessed with Harry Potter. 

Happy 12th to our sweet Jane! She makes the world a better place.

15yrs.

Bruce turned 15years old on the 12th. We love this guy. He picked Red Robin for his birthday dinner with Robert and I. His dessert of choice was of course Cinnabon. Bruce is such a great young man. He always tries to be obedient, he's super smart, and keeps us laughing. I only got one picture of him this year. Turns out that teenage boys don't always like having their picture taken. :) 

Happy 15th Bruce. We love you!

Chicago - Our Last Stop

Chicago was the last stop on our vacation. The kids loved seeing the big city. I liked watching them experience the sights and sounds of a big city for the first time(that they remember).

We had some good food, explored the city and survived a long ride on the L Train. 

We also did a lot of relaxing and swimming in Chicago. 

It was a long drive through a lot of farmland to get there. 

 Claire's school teacher had told her about the Big Bean. 

She was so excited to finally see it in person.

Carthage Jail

We had a sweet experience at Carthage Jail. We didn't get many pictures because they ask that you don't take too many but just feel the spirit present. We definitely felt the spirit there as we were able to be in the same place Joseph was when he was killed. We listened to all of the details and I couldn't help but feel so grateful for Hyrum refusing to leave his brother Joseph knowing that staying with him would likely mean his death. My heart hurt thinking of poor Lucy losing two more sons that day. Poor Emma and her children also went through so much. I am so grateful for Joseph and that he never gave up and never denied what he knew to be true. We owe him so much. Praise to the Man.

This is the window on the 2nd floor that Joseph fell out of after being shot. He made his way to that window and in so doing saved the lives of the others in the room.

 The large bullet hole is the bullet that came through first, killing Hyrum. The hole on the right is where the bullet came through shooting off the lock.

 This well at the bottom is where the mob propped up Joseph. They continued to shoot and stab him.:(

We spent our Sabbath Day here on our vacation. Can't think of a more appropriate place.

4th of July

We had a relaxing 4th of July. 

We went to the Oceanside Independence Parade where Linda marched 

with the OHS Color Guard.

That night we watched fireworks and lit sparklers in a friend's back yard. 

Bruce escaped from getting his photo taken once more.

Nauvoo

We spent two days in Nauvoo. 

Robert and I both had relatives in Nauvoo. We were able to find their land! My anscestor's land was still open, Robert's was being used to farm alfalfa. Robert was able to talk to the people that currently owned that property. 

James Goff used to own this property.

Benjamin Brown property

The Saints had one last look at the temple in the distance as they left the city they loved.

The Trail of Tears (above and below) The route the pioneers took out of Nauvoo and over the frozen Mississippi River. The names in this monument are those that died on the journey. There are hundreds of names missing. The Busenbark's were some of my ancestors.

The temple was gorgeous. Robert, Bruce, and Linda were able to go in and do some temple work.

We watched a show put on by the senior missionaries and performing missionaries. Claire even got to march in a little parade and go up on stage!

Overall, we LOVED Nauvoo. It is so beautiful. We are so grateful that we were able to walk where so many before us walked. We're forever grateful for their sacrifices.

Claire's 10th Birthday!

Claire turned 10yrs. old on the 9th! Our baby is double-digits. The Saturday before her birthday she had a little birthday party with family and friends. She had so much fun. She wanted to have a Hobbit/Lord of the Rings party but settled for an animal party because I couldn't find anything for the other party. Haha!  

 On her real birthday day she had her annual convertible ride with Grandpa and the twins for lunch. The three of them are the same age for one day every year. 
Later we had some pecan pie, her favorite, for her birthday dessert. 

We love Claire so so much. She is very affectionate, funny, likes to try out new vocabulary, will only walk next to me with her arm around my waste, adores her dad, and is a complete original. 

Happy happy birthday sweet Claire!

Family Vacation Summer 2018 - Day 1

We had an epic vacation. Robert did a lot of planning to get us from Kansas City, MI to Chicago, IL over the course of a week. We saw a lot and drove a lot. We had a great time.

The kids flew for the first time...that they can remember. The last time they flew was when they were really young and we were moving from VA back to CA. They loved it, especially Claire.

Day 1: Kansas City, Missouri

We did our research and drove across the border to Kansas and found a great bbq. 

It didn't disappoint. 

Here's what we did the rest of the day...

The College Basketball Experience

The Church Visitors Center, the future temple site, and a picture of the RLDS headquarters. We also saw a lot of deer, including two baby deer.

We then headed to Liberty Jail in Liberty, Missouri. Liberty was a beautiful town. We could feel the spirit and it was interesting hearing about Joseph's experience in Liberty Jail and the revelations her received there. 

4th Grade in the Books

Claire enjoyed her first and last year at Scholarship Prep Academy. Her teacher really understood Claire and was a lot of fun. She made new friends and was able to be in the same class as her cousin for a year. Her last day is later this week. Today she got an award for academics and an award from her dance elective teacher for having the best attitude all year. 

Some pictures from her Gold Rush Day.