Dear Friends and Family,
What a year it has been! It’s hard to believe how quickly time passes. In the spirit of this holiday season we would like to share some of the things our family has experienced in 2008, and hope you and yours are doing well also.
This year brought us a great blessing! Sydnee Ruth was born on May 22nd. She is so similar to Shaye in many ways. Not only does she look exactly like her, but she has the same temperament and same big smile (although she got shots on the day we took this picture and didn’t feel like showing it off!). Our family has enjoyed having a baby around again. Sydnee is happy almost all the time. She started sleeping through the night around 3 months, and is enjoying baby food now. She loves to watch Baby Einstein videos and play with her older siblings who smother her with love!
Jaxson will be 4 in February and enjoys attending preschool this year. He is in a class of 6 boys. He goes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He struggles to understand why he doesn’t get to go every day like his big sister! He is learning letters, colors, songs, seasons, holidays, and much more. Jaxson is our little sponge who comes home and shares all the interesting things his class has been doing. He had a hard time sitting out the soccer season this year, and is looking forward to being old enough to play in 2009. For now he enjoys directing the affairs of our church nursery as the oldest kid since he has a February birthday
We can’t believe Shaye is 6 and already half way through the first grade. She has really grown up a lot this year, and sometimes that makes us sad! She is reading now and learning how to work with money and time. Shaye has stayed busy with soccer practice twice a week, games on Saturdays, homework everyday, and helping with Sydnee. She enjoys taking care of her baby sister, and loves to hear how Sydnee looks just like her. And of course we didn’t miss the premiere of High School Musical 3 in October!!!
This year has been a busy one for me, filled with lots of great opportunities. I am still teaching fitness classes at our YMCA, and am now the Fitness Coordinator. While this puts a lot on my plate, I have enjoyed meeting lots of people and getting involved with our community. I’m lucky to have such a fun job! I was recently called to the Stake Primary Presidency at our church, and look forward to serving in this capacity. After Sydnee was born, I was able to indulge in a few hobbies: reading the Twilight books, running a couple of 5k races, and even getting a few girls’ nights out!
Between work, his church callings in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency and as Ward Employment Specialist, school board, and family, Sam has plenty to keep him busy. He took a new position at work this year, moving from Talent Management and Occupational Health Supervisor to Global Employee Data Supervisor. I’m not real sure what that means he does, but he enjoys it! Sam also picked up some new hobbies this year. He got a road bike which he rides often, finished a mini triathlon, and participated in several 5k races.
As a family, we were able to travel to Washington in July to a family reunion for my mom’s side. We had a great time and were so glad to have the chance to visit with family we hadn’t seen for a while. We also did some traveling closer to home this summer, going to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Branson, Missouri. Sam and I have been fortunate to do a lot of traveling in the last year. I was able to go with him to London not long ago. The history and theater were amazing. We went on a cruise for his 30th birthday to the Caribbean. Now we are planning a trip to New York in January. Traveling has become one of the things we enjoy most!
As the year comes to an end, we can look back and see that our family has been blessed in many ways. We have much to be thankful for…most of all our Savior Jesus Christ for whom we celebrate this season. We hope you and your families are also enjoying the holidays, and have a fantastic 2009!
Love,
Sam, Natalee, Shaye, Jaxson, and Sydnee Springer
