First Rodeo

Robert and I took the kids to their first rodeo this past weekend. It was Robert's third rodeo. I've been to a lot of rodeos growing up. The kids really liked it, especially the bull riding. Jane was especially enthralled by everything. She's a country girl at heart. The only mistake we made was not wearing sunscreen! We were all a little burnt afterwards. I thought it was an indoor arena. It turns out that it's really hot at 2:30pm in Lakeside, CA. Next year we'll go to the one in the evening. 

Jane & Linda

 Jane is a very special girl. She is very confident and very goal oriented. She stresses about doing things just right and about whether or not things are fair. Her favorite thing to do at recess is to go to the library and help the librarian clean, sort, stamp, put away books. The librarian is very kind to her. Jane's teacher is really nice. She worries about Jane not playing at recess with the other kids so sometimes she'll find kids in the class to team up with Jane and tell Jane she has to play with them. :) Jane is very intelligent and an all around good student. She loves math and spelling. She isn't in to reading as much as the other kids but always works hard to achieve her AR goals and has almost qualified for the last pizza party of the year. She likes Geronimo Stilton books. She started ice skating classes and really loves it. She's good at it too. She also loves to roller blade. She adores Bruce and laughs at all of his jokes, even if they're not funny. She wants to play basketball this fall. She has a desire to play the piano. Hopefully we can get a piano for her one day. She really struggles with eating still. It's not uncommon for her to sit at the table for 2hrs. to finish a meal. She tries really hard, but she just doesn't like a lot of foods. She has a great love for animals. I took the girls to a play this month and she loved it the most and still talks about it. Jane is very obedient and good. She reminds me to not care of what others think and to just be myself. We're blessed to have her in our family. 

Linda is so busy this year at school with all of her presidential duties.(hosting talent show, student store, assemblies, etc.) She is a really good student, although her homework takes her a long time to finish because she's a daydreamer. She gets distracted easily. She has enjoyed playing the violin this year. She is ready for middle school in the fall and I feel good knowing that Bruce will be there if she needs a friend at lunch or someone to tell boys to back away from her. :) Linda dreams of becoming a babysitter or a nanny when she grows up. I already have ladies in the ward asking when she'll be ready to babysit. She loves little kids and likes teaching and leading. She is playing volleyball right now and enjoys it. She likes reading Emily Windsnap books, Whatever After, and is halfway through the first Harry Potter book. She loves going to Activity Days and enjoys singing, dancing, and sewing. Linda does not like to throw things away, she can always find a use for everything. If you need help with anything, Linda is the girl to call. She is a hard worker and likes to stay busy. She is a stickler for the rules. She has a kind heart. She is growing up so fast and becoming a beautiful young lady, inside and out.

Bruce & Claire

Bruce is really in to Minecraft right now. He also loves riding his ripstick around. He decided against going to Trek this year. Next week he'll earn his 1st class and 5 merit badges in Scouts. Last Sunday he had his Priesthood Preview. He's ready to receive the Aaronic priesthood in August. He had fun visiting with his cousins Brodey and Sayre during Spring Break. It's been a great experience for him to watch his oldest cousin, Brodey, submit his mission papers and prepare to serve. Should get his call any day! Bruce has had a 4.0 all year. He's enjoying a little break before soccer and basketball start up again. It's been fun to watch him play basketball. He's getting really aggressive. He loves joking around. He's currently reading the Prelude to Glory series and is on #3. He says he has a reputation around school for not swearing or getting in trouble. He also has a reputation for always wearing sporty, neon clothes and NEVER wearing jeans. He's 5' 1" tall now. He's a good kid and normally very happy. If he's not happy its because he needs food. I think he has low blood sugar. He has a good heart and still gives his mom lots of hugs, which I love. Well, that's our boy!

Claire is so darn funny. Robert and I always get a good laugh out of the unique phrases she says and the way she says everything with such animation. She is always thinking about something. When you see her sitting alone or in the car you can see her smiling to herself, acting things out, and using her imagination. She LOVES school. She was very excited the other day when she heard Bruce and Linda bring up that some kids go to summer school, but was sad when told she couldn't go to school all summer. She loves friends and socializing and playing games. She's our most outgoing child. She likes playing Club with Linda and wrestling with Bruce on the trampoline. She's very quirky. Her chair has to be just the right distance from the table, and she's very particular about how her clothes and shoes fit and feel. She enjoys her primary class and does a lesson for us almost every Sunday night on what she learned that day in church. The girl can eat a lot. She's very fond of her daddy and loves to snuggle up with him. She's doing an ice skating class right now and will do soccer in the fall. She is still working on her articulation with a speech teacher at school. She loves math and always wants me to ask her multiplication problems. She is a night person. We love our baby girl.

Priesthood Preview

Today was Bruce's Priesthood Preview. Bruce and his buddy Dillon both turn 12yrs. old this year and will receive the Aaronic Priesthood and become Deacons in the church. It was a nice meeting with Bruce, Dillon, both sets of parents, the bishop, primary president, and their primary teacher. There was a great spirit in the meeting as we learned of the responsibilities and blessings that the Priesthood will bring. Bruce is such a good boy. We are all excited for this next important step in his life.

Dillon, Brother Plyler, & Bruce

We're so grateful for Brother Plyler. He has been Bruce's primary teacher for the last two years and has also been his CubScout/11yr. old Scout leader during those years. He is such a good man who has had a positive influence on Bruce's life.

Ice Skating Lessons

Jane and Claire recently started taking ice skating lessons. They've been having fun, and we've actually been able to bundle up in coats and gloves for a good reason. :) Claire is in level 1, with one more skill to pass off. Jane moved up to level 2 on her 2nd lesson. She's working on her final 3 skills for that level. 

I've been trying not to freeze while I wait for them to do their lessons!

Spring Break Road Trip

We've had a fun Spring Break this week. We drove to Henderson, NV to visit my sister and her family. We had so much fun with them. We explored parts of the Strip, saw the fountain with fire, and had a great time there. Here are some pictures.

Las Vegas Temple

 Shark Reef Aquarium

 Bruce camped out with Sayre and Brodey every night. They played video games and laughed all night. Those boys are like brothers to Bruce.

 We made it to Henderson, NV!

 Linda, Jane and Elly worked on sewing.

 The girls LOVED playing with the dog.

 Easter morning! We ate candy and watched General Conference.

Road Trip!!