Ivey Ranch Volunteering

Earlier this year the girls were invited to a birthday party at a small horse ranch here in town. We didn't even know there was a horse ranch around here. The girls loved it and they signed up as volunteers. Jane and Linda volunteered before summer. Claire turned 9 and now she can volunteer too. They all volunteer together twice a week. They clean out the stalls, feed the horses, and groom the horses. They absolutely love it. It's been so good for them to go work hard and also be around the beautiful horses. I never thought I'd see the day that my girls would volunteer to clean up horse poop. haha

 There's even a pony that is Claire's size!

School Is In Session 2017

Well, another first day of school is in the books. (August 14th)

They keep shortening summer, so it feels like we barely got a break before going back. 

Bruce - 
Freshman year at Oceanside High School
Among his classes, he is taking AP Computer Programming, pre-AP English, and pre-AP math II.
He also started early morning seminary from 6:10am - 7:00am at the California Building. His teacher is Sister Shirley. 

Linda - 
8th Grade at Lincoln Middle School
This is her last year of middle school! She is excited to have made it to advanced orchestra this year. This will be such a fun year for her. 

Jane - 
6th Grade, first year in middle school at Lincoln Middle School
Her elective is Applied Biology (gardening). She likes middle school better than elementary school and hasn't needed any adjustment time.

Claire - 
4th Grade at Palmquist Elementary School
Claire's teacher is Mrs. Smith
She was nervous, shy, and excited about her first day back. 

The best thing about the first day of school was that dad was home and could go with her for the first time. She was so excited to have him there. 

Jane is 11!

Jane turned 11 on August 16th!! For her gift from Robert and I she got a week at horse camp a couple of weeks before her actual birthday.

We celebrated the night before her birthday with cake and a present from the girls. (Hogwarts t-shirt)

The actual day of her birthday, she took the day off of school and Robert took her up to Universal Studios Hollywood. She LOVES that place, and it was the end of our season pass. I think she had a very happy birthday. We love her very much. (Claire went along so she'd have someone stand in line with.)

Bruce's 14 Birthday and Ordination

Bruce turned 14 years old a couple of days ago, on the 12th. Bruce was born with such a good spirit about him. He has always been obedient and happy. Bruce celebrated by going to a movie with his dad then returning to our house where the girls had set up a little party for him. This is a big year for Bruce with a lot of firsts. We are very proud of him.

Since he turned 14 he was interviewed and able to be ordained to the office of Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He was ordained today after church. Robert ordained him and Grandpa Thompson, Uncle Tom, Uncle Gregg, Brother Shupe (his YM President),  and Bishop Kringle stood in on the ordination. He's very happy to be moving up from the Deacons.

Claire's 9th Birthday

July 9th

Claire turned 9 years old on July 9th. Our Virginia baby isn't much of a baby anymore. Claire is a kid's kid. She enjoys playing with friends, cuddling with her stuffed animals, twisting her hair when she's tired, a good game of tether ball, games on her tablet, EATING, board games, and wearing dresses. She is also very intelligent and fun to be around.  She keeps us on our toes and keeps me busy. This year she really didn't want a party. She just wanted to hang out with her Aunt Jill, pick out a cake, and go to a movie. We had a great time celebrating her.

Birthday lunch with Grandpa!

4th of July 2017

We had a great 4th of July this year. The Davis family was in town. We decided to go down to Mission Bay for the 4th and hang out all day until the fireworks show that night. We spent 12hrs. at the beach! Most of us had a sunburn to show for it, especially Jill. We had a lot of fun. We rented a 6 seater bike, barbecued, attempted to fly kites, played in the water, and braved the porta potties. :) It's definitely one we'll remember.