The Robertson Family 2016

Merry Christmas! Our year was filled with ups and downs, but life is always wonderful & a blessing. We enjoyed many travels this year. Our travels varied from Prince Edward Island, to Sharon, Vermont, over to Niagara Falls, across the country to Utah, Nevada, Yosemite, the Sequoias, & the Four Corners, with visits to family in between. By the end of 2016 the kids will have been to all the states except four: Montana, North Dakota, Hawaii & Alaska. Five summers left to visit these states till Clark heads out on his mission! A summer highlight:  touring the Philadelphia LDS Temple & being in the Celestial room together. Attending the temple dedication with all the kids (but Elden) was so terrific too.

Lee enjoys more time at his private practice as he hired a new doctor for the Walmart practice. In January he served in Nicaragua on a week-long vision trip--a goal/dream come true. Lee's been riding his road bike & mountain bike quite often, & loves family bike rides. You can't beat the awesome views here, or bear sightings, while biking. Cold cereal, BYU football & basketball, & family time are his favorites!

Ruth loved a spring Florida trip with Lee where they attended the Smart Conference by Ramsey Solutions. This past summer she drove cross country to Utah by herself (oh, with five kids too) enjoying time with family along the way. Two solo driving trips to Mississippi were also fun. House projects keep her busy, & her Cub Master calling. Ruth volunteers as the copy lady & thankfully figured out the school's new copy machine. Regular family updates are posted on leeandruth.blogspot.com.

CLARK, 8th grade, is the senior patrol leader & should be a Life Scout by the end of 2016. He's not interested in buying his own clothes, but now that he's the same size as Lee (not quite height wise), clothes buying is quite easy for Ruth. He loved his 1st scout camp, built a couple rockets this summer, & still enjoys eating sardines, meat & fish. Drones are a top interest along with earning $ at his cleaning job at Lee's office. Clark cheerfully performs his Deacon duties at church & loves board games & movies.

CAL, 6th grade, is adjusting well to middle school.  After a roller coaster 5th grade year, Ruth & Cal were pretty nervous about middle school. A big change this year was nixing electronic games from the home. This is a blessing in more ways than one. Cal's sweet, first report card attested to that. (Yes people, Lee & Ruth are now dinosaur parents.) No broken bones or broken car glass this year for him, just a few minor mishaps here & there. Cal likes his new bike & scout pocket knife. What more could a boy want?    SHANNA, 4th grade, is a social bug & serves on the student council. She is mom & dad's little shadow. Learning adult stuff interests her--she loves helping Ruth purchase stuff at the store (not with her money), insists on making cookies by herself, & now operates the gas stove with confidence. (She doesn't like the clicking noise.) Along with finding ways how she & Lee are alike because they are both left-handed (thankfully Shanna isn't bald), activity days & cousin time are current highlights.

 HALEY, 4th grade, is an all-around girl enjoying nail painting, reading, Pokemon, camping, note writing & bike riding. She helped her team win the Battle of the Books & scored a perfect on her state reading exam in 3rd grade. (This is a brag letter, right?) Haley & her cousin Rhett are still best buddies, horses remain a favorite-she rode one this summer-& riding her grandpa's dirt bike & ATV will never get old. 

 ELDEN, 2nd grade, is Cal's buddy. Some project always seems to be in the works with these two like burying time capsules in the backyard or carving sticks into swords. It's great hearing Elden read on his own during family scripture study.  With no pre-school & a rocky start to his elementary career he does well at school & is in the high reading group. (Last brag, promise.) His often great attitude is an example to the whole family. Learning to become airborne on a bike is a skill he likes to practice.

We love our Savior, Jesus Christ, are grateful for His birth, & know He lives today.