Happy 14th Ashleigh!

 

My sweet Ashleigh is 14!  I don't know how that happened.  It seems like just yesterday that I was toting her around on my hip, and everywhere I went, people were commenting on her chubby little thighs and her beautiful blue eyes.  She has outgrown the chubby thighs, but still has those amazing eyes (glad it worked out that way and not the other way around!).  Every time she has her picture taken professionally, her eyes are just striking.  Turning 14 means that Ashleigh will now be in my Miamaid class at church.  I don't know how she feels about it, but I am more than happy to have her!  There are so many things to love about this girl.  To name just a few:

 

1. Ashleigh is creative.  She is never afraid to try new things (one exception: she is afraid to sing in church, even though she sings ALL the time otherwise).  She loves to sing, dance, draw, craft, paint, cook, bake and even sew.  She is a big fan of Pinterest and finds a lots of inspiration on this website.   Most of the time, her projects and recipes turn out perfectly (I can think of a chocolate banana cake that went South, but other than that...).

 

2.  Ashleigh is fun to be with.  She is smart and witty and has a great sense of humor.  She can be sarcastic (this runs in our family), but she really doesn't have a mean bone in her body. Yes, she is a normal teenager and sometimes Mom is not her favorite person on the planet, but mostly, we get along great.  She is always up for dinner, a movie, shopping, skiing, time with friends, and time with family.  She is a happy kid and brings a lot of joy into our home.

 

3. Ashleigh is kind.  I could not have handpicked a better oldest daughter for our family.  She sets a great example for her sisters to look up to and she can be so cute with all three of the younger kids.  When she spends time with them, it is obvious that they are completely smitten with her.  They really do adore their big sister.  And to top it off, she has to be one of Austin's best friends.  These two are so close and such a blessing to each other.  Ashleigh really is a gem.  We love her to pieces and will definitely be keeping her!

 

Happy Birthday, sweetheart! (and better luck next year blowing out the candles on the first try!)

 

Christmas Eve 2013

I'm Batman!

For the talent show at the Sabin Family Christmas Party, our family decided to reenact this skit from Studio C:

 

Sabin Family Party and Talent Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ski Day

A beautiful day in Park City with cousins and friends.

Cameron, Steve, Maddie, Ashleigh, Cara

Hayden, Max and George

Hadley's Christmas Dance Recital

Oh my goodness... this girl melts me.

 

 

Little Treehouse Christmas Program

Miss Congeniality

Ellie's Christmas Dance Recital

Love her...

 

 

 

Hadley is 5!

Hadley is growing up way too fast for me.  I love this little peanut and sometimes (most of the time, if I am being honest), I wish I could keep her small forever.  We have made all kinds of deals, and she has even "pinky-promised" me that she would stay little, but then she goes and just keeps getting bigger all the time.  Little stinker!

 

Everybody loves and dotes on Hadley around here, and as a result, she is spoiled fairly rotten.  And yet somehow, she maintains her sweetness.  Some of my favorite things about this girl are:

 

1. She is so snuggly!  All of the kids have been snuggle-bugs, but she really takes the cake on this one.  As her mama, I benefit the most from this quality and it really does make me so happy.  She loves to curl up on my lap or in my bed anytime and she is almost always welcome.

 

2.  She is funny.  Hadley always has us laughing with the funny things she says and does.  Recently she told me that something was "weally cweeping" her out.  She picks up on lingo from the older kids and (most of the time) it is so cute coming out of her mouth.  Not too long ago, she claimed to have a date-guy (Ryker), a boyfriend (Chase), and a boy she thought was cute (Johnny).  After being sufficiently teased about all of these men in her life, she gave them all up and now professes to like "Nobody!"  Most of her requests begin with "I was just wondering...," followed by a big pause, followed by her request (usually for a treat).  I love to fill in that pause with "if you could have a kick in the pants?"  I've done it a million times but it still gets a rise out of her every single time I say it.

 

3.  She is a sweetheart.  She really is.  She melts my heart all the time with her hugs and kisses and sweet things to say.  She is affectionate and kind and oh-so lovable.

 

Happy Birthday Little Hadley!  Love you times infinity!

 

 

After spending the day at Trafalga, playing arcades, miniature golfing, climbing the rock wall and playing laser tag, we went to lunch at the Brick Oven in Provo, and then headed to our Ward Christmas Party.  Later that night, Hadley opened her presents and, after singing to her, we ate cake and icecream.

 

Lehi 33rd Ward Christmas Party

 

Beach Day

We spent our last day in California at the beach with Grandma.  We walked on the pier, and spent time in the sand and then went to dinner together.

 

It was a bit chilly, but that didn't stop the little ones from wading and looking for shells.

 

I love the ocean.  It is so peaceful and beautiful.  There are not many places (if any) that I'd rather be than here.

 

 

Especially if I am here with the ones I love.

Disney Day 4

One of the most magical parts of Disneyland at Christmastime was the lighting of the castle each night.  The music was wonderful and the lights were absolutely stunning.

 

 

And, as if that were not enough, at the conclusion of the lighting ceremony each night, snow started to fall on main street.  This was so unexpected and magical for us on our first evening there.  And it still felt magical on our last...

 

We will definitely be back again.