Christmas Letter 2005

 

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! We hope this letter finds each of you happy and well. As usual, this has been a busy year for our family. We keep wondering if life will ever slow down just a bit, but so far, we see no sign of it. Once again, we spent much of the summer busy in the yard- who knew it could be so much work? We tell people, in all seriousness, that we are working on a ten-year landscape plan. The highlight of the year for our family was an extended family reunion in San Diego. It was wonderful to spend time with so many relatives, some that we haven’t seen for years. Our children are still talking about the memories they made and the stories they heard, and asking when we can do it again.

Not much has changed as far as Cameron and I are concerned. If you’re wondering what we’ve been up to, please refer to last year’s letter- same old stuff! The kids, however, are leading much more exciting lives, and are growing almost as fast as the weeds in our backyard.

Austin continues to be the bookworm in our family. He loves to read and has an amazing ability to retain a vast amount of obscure facts. For example, a few months ago, he informed us that radio waves travel faster than the speed of light. Cameron and I both questioned whether or not this was actually true. The next day, Austin presented us with a paragraph in a large reference book that proved he was indeed correct. Austin turned eight years old this year and was baptized in July. He has enjoyed Cub Scouts, especially building and racing his first pinewood derby car. He finished the summer with a bang by running into the neighbors’ fence with his arms extended and breaking both bones in his left forearm. Luckily he is right handed, so it didn’t seem to slow him down much. Austin has inherited his Dad’s blue blood, becoming an avid BYU fan, and therefore, wore his blue and white striped cast with pride.

Ashleigh’s big milestone this year has been kindergarten. Much to Hayden’s dismay, she now gets to ride the bus and go to school every day with Austin. Hayden watches anxiously from the porch each afternoon for her to come home, and when she turns the corner, he takes off running to greet her with a hug. It looks just like that scene in the movies when the boy and girl are running towards each other across a field of flowers and meet in the middle in a warm embrace. Our version, however, isn’t nearly as graceful, and often involves tripping, skinned knees, and tears. Ashleigh has made many friends and loves going to school. She started dance lessons this fall and is looking forward to her first recital. She loves art, and can entertain herself for hours with paper, tape and crayons. I call her my "sweetest heart," because her tender little feelings lie so close to the surface. Even one stern look from mom or dad can result in genuine tears. She is ever my best helper, a second little mommy in the house, always happy to do her part.

Hayden is truly giving us a run for our money. When people ask his age, I tell them that he is "very" two. He has spent most of this year discovering his independence and making his opinions known. It is not uncommon to go into his room in the morning and find that he has removed all of his clothing simply because he can. He has something to say about everything. I don’t think he enjoys anything more than non-stop conversation! Let’s just say that by bedtime each night, my ears are exhausted. Don’t get me wrong- we love him to pieces and are so grateful for his happy spirit in our home. Like our older children, he loves to snuggle and "rock-a-bye." To say that Hayden loves nursery is an understatement. He asks me every day, at least ten times, if he can go to church. One of his nursery leaders works at a store that we visit almost weekly. When Hayden sees her at work, he begs her to take him to church and cries when we say goodbye. Hayden loves his Daddy and looks forward each night to "making a block" (translation: building block towers) or wrestling in the living room with him.

We are excited and grateful to celebrate this season. Cameron and I went to see "Savior of the World" a few weeks ago and were so touched by the lives of Mary and Joseph. In almost every way, they were simple, ordinary people. But, through their extraordinary faith in God, a miracle was born in Bethlehem, and all the world rejoiced. Is it not the same for us? Miracles are born every day when ordinary people exhibit faith in Him, their Infant Son, our Savior and Redeemer. Through Him, hearts are softened and lives are changed. Comfort finds its way to the comfortless. Love and kindness replace hate and anger. Repentance is accepted and forgiveness given freely. The bands of death are broken, and lives and families made eternal. We feel so much gratitude for the miracles in our own lives. The ones we recognize, as well as the ones we don’t. We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and miracle or two of your own this season!

Much love,

Cameron, Amy, Austin, Ashleigh and Hayden Sabin   

　

Hayden Turns Two

Christmas Letter 2004

Dear Family and Friends,

It feels like I just mailed off last year's Christmas letter and here I am writing another one!  Last year we had so much news to share with you - a new baby, a new job, a new home, and all the transitions that accompany these milestones.  This year has been less eventful.  We have had time to catch our breath and settle into this phase of our lives.

Our family has settled into our house, and it feels more and more like home all the time.  We spent much of our summer in the yard, making what seemed to a small amount of progress.  We laid sod in October, just two days before the first snowfall.  In many ways, winter has been a welcome relief -  no yard work for a few months!  We love our neighborhood and ward, and are so happy to be raising our family here.  The highlight of our year was our family vacation.  We really needed to get away, and our trip could not have turned our any better than it did.  We spent a few days in St. George and went on several small hikes in Zion National Park.  We then drove to San Diego and laid on the beach for four days straight.  The weather was beautiful (hot and not a could in the sky), our motel was right on the sand, and our favorite donut shop in the world was only five minutes away - what more can I say?  It was by far the most restful vacation our family has been on.  We came home tan, happy and ready to dive back into our busy lives.

Cameron is settling into his job at Stoel Rives.  He completed his first official year and is now a second-year associate.  His job has required him to work long hours on many days, but he was somehow able to escape for a week-long fishing trip to Alaska with my dad and brothers and our brother-in-law.  They had a wonderful time, especially fishing for halibut.  They shipped four large boxes of halibut filets home and we still have a freezer full!  He is still serving as the high priest group leader in our ward and is doing his best to keep up with the calling.  He is a busy man, but still finds time to be a great husband and father to our family.

I guess you could say I am settling into being a mother of three.  I still try to avoid taking all of them on errands, but we have figured out a pretty good routine that works most of the time.  It almost makes me laugh to think that I felt motherhood was sometimes overwhelming when I had just one little one.  As the years roll by, I find that more and more of my time, energy and life are wrapped up in my children.  The years will fly, and they will be grown and gone before I know it, so I am doing my best to love them "to the moon and back," and enjoy each day with them.  I am working as a dental hygienist two days a month - just enough to keep up on my skills take a small break from everyday life.  I was also recently called as the primary secretary - a great calling for me because it requires organization, which comes naturally, and is "behind the scenes," where I am most comfortable. 

Our children have settled into new schools and new friendships without any difficulty.  Austin loves second grade and is currently planning to be a scientist when he grows up.  His teacher requires him to read 20 minutes every night, which is never a problem with him.  In fact, we have a hard time getting him to turn off the light and stop reading, sometimes as much as two-and-a-half hours past bed time.  He is currently reading the Harry Potter series at record pace because we told him we would only buy the movies if he first reads the books. 

Ashleigh is growing taller every day and is a ray of sunshine in our home.  She is my best "helper," always wanting to make her bed, clean the house with me, or take care of Hayden.  She loves to go to preschool and is constantly asking me how many days she has left until she gets to ride the bus with Austin and go to kindergarten.  She is quickly learning her letters and now knows how to writer her name.  She loves to draw pictures and always wants to give them away to someone she loves.

Hayden has more energy than any three children I know.  He has a battery that never quits!  He is always on the move, usually getting into something that is off limits.  He is a very happy child and so much fun to raise.  He recently announced his first word, "Ash!," as he stood at the top of the stairs and yelled to see if his big sister was playing in the basement.  He loves to be chased around the house and especially loves to get in on wrestling matches with Dad and the big kids.

We continue to be blessed beyond measure, most especially with loved ones near and far.  How thankful we are that a loving Heavenly Father has seen fit to cross our path with yours.  We feel deep gratitude for His Son, the baby born in Bethlehem, who grew to be our Savior and Redeemer.  Through Him, we know that the ties that bind us together can last beyond this life and into the next.  There is no greater gift than this!  We send our love to each of you and wish you much happiness in the year to come.

Merry Christmas!

 

Cameron, Amy, Austin, Ashleigh and Hayden Sabin

Christmas Letter 2003

 

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

 

Happy Holiday!  We hope this letter finds you happy and well.  This year has been a little on the crazy side for our family.  We spent the first half of the year in Maryland while Cameron finished his judicial clerkship.  We took as many opportunities as possible to see all the sights in and around Washington D.C. and still came up short on time!  However, we made many wonderful friends and memories during our stay and feel grateful for the experience.  This summer brought many changes into our lives... all good ones, but all at once.  In just a couple of months time, we welcomed a new baby into our family, moved across the country, began a new job and moved into our first home.  Life has finally begun to settle down and we find ourselves feeling so much gratitude for all that we have been blessed with.  We are especially grateful for the family and friends that have supported and helped us this year.  What would we do without you?

 

 

Cameron finished his clerkship at the end of June with mixed emotions.  He had a great experience and worked with such wonderful people.  It was sad to say goodbye, but we both knew it was time to move on.  We were literally busting at the seams in our small apartment and looking forward to the extra space a home would bring.  We were also excited to be moving closer to our families.  Cameron began his new job in the litigation section of Stoel Rives in July.  Between his job and his new calling as high priest group leader in our ward, he keeps very busy.  Somehow, he has managed to find time to play in softball and basketball leagues this year.

 

Although I feel like I have spent the better part of this year packing and unpacking boxes, most of my time has been spent being a mom.  Having a third child has certainly been an adjustment -  I just don't have enough hands to go around.  I find that going to the mall is too much work and rarely make the effort anymore - a good thing as far as our budget is concerned.  I still try to find time for my one and only hobby, scrapbooking.  I am teaching the Valiant 11 girls in primary and have loved this calling.  With ten girls in my class, there is never a dull moment... or a quiet one for that matter.

 

Hayden Gray was born on June 5th, just two-and-a-half weeks before we moved to Utah.  He is such a happy baby, and the fact that he has slept eleven hours through the night since he was two months old has made for a happy family (especially Mom)!  Unlike our other children, who were quite attached to their pacifiers, he loves to suck on his middle and ring fingers.  Although we find it adorable at this age, we know it will be much harder to break him of this habit than it was to throw away the binkies of our older children.  He is certainly not lacking for attention.  Austin and Ashleigh can't seem to get enough of him and are constantly smothering him with hugs and kisses. 

 

Ashleigh will be four at the end of this month.  Cameron says that she is three going on sixteen.  She started preschool this fall and has loved every minute of it.  She tells Austin that her school is more fun than his because she doesn't have to do "boring stuff."  Pink is still her favorite color.  She loves to dance around the house and dress up -  the more accessories the better.  It is not uncommon to find her wearing a tiara, clip-on earings, a locket, a ring or two, and half-a-dozen bracelets.  She is a girly-girl and thinks all of this is "beautiful."  She makes us laugh with the funny things she says and is a sweet sister to both of her brothers.

 

Austin is six-years-old and started first grade this year.  He loves to go to school and has had no trouble adjusting and making friends.  He is still our amazing reader.  He loves to read just about anything he can get his hands on.  He likes to play computer games, and his favorite activity, of late, is wrestling with his dad.  The best things about moving, in his eyes, are that he now has somewhere to ride his bike, an entire neighborhood full of friends to play with, and it is only a twenty minute drive to visit either set of grandparents.

 

Our family loves this time of year.  We love the lights, the Christmas music, the decorations, the treats, the gifts and the small acts of kindness we see going on all around us.  But, more than any of these things, we love the wise men, the shepherds, the angels, the star, Joseph, Mary, and, most of all, Baby Jesus.  One of my favorite Christmas songs says "Wise men still follow Him each day of their lives."  What a wonderful reminder this is to us of the kind of people we ought to be, not just in December, but every day of the year.  We are looking forward to spending time with many of you this holiday season.  We miss those of you that are far away and hope to hear from you.  Please know that our thoughts and hearts are with you.

 

Love,

 

Cameron, Amy, Austin, Ashleigh and Hayden Sabin