Christmas 2010

Dear Family & Friends,

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone! Time seems to be passing more quickly as we get older and it is hard for us to believe we are now the parents of a teenager. We have been so blessed this past year and are grateful for the memories we have made.

In February we had a mini-family reunion in St. George, Utah with Amy’s family and had a great time. We went to Zion National Park and just enjoyed being together. Carl’s parents were also there for a couple of days which was an added bonus.

We had so much fun in February that we decided to do it again in July. Annaka, Adam, and Ashlyn had a blast playing in the pool and staying in a pirate themed room with their cousin Kimberlee. From St. George we continued on to Salt Lake for more cousin time with the Besaw side of the family. We love our cousins!! When the kids are with their cousins, we never see them, which is nice because it gives us time to spend with our siblings. It is a wonderful arrangement!

Another quick trip to Utah in August for Carl’s twenty year high school reunion and then our annual trip to Utah for Thanksgiving completed our travels for the year. We were unable to be in Utah for Thanksgiving last year since Carl had just started his new job so we were very excited to get the tradition started up again. It was an extra special trip because Carl’s Grandma was visiting from Florida. We really enjoyed spending time with her as we don’t get to see her very often.

Ashlyn (age 2) continues to be a source of joy for our family. She wants to be just like her brother and sister and loves to pretend that she is going to school, soccer, etc. She makes us laugh when she repeats phrases she has heard that are too grown up for her: “I was just checking something online” (after sitting at the computer) or “I need to text my friends” (when trying to convince Annaka to allow her to hold her cell phone). The signs that we are living in an age of technology! She has decided that she doesn’t want to take naps anymore, even though she really still needs them. She even told Amy one day after it was suggested that she take a little nap, “Little naps are for little babies.” What?! Oh my, are we going to have our hands full with this little one!

Adam (age 9) is now in third grade. He started piano and Tae Kwon Do this year and is enjoying these new activities. 2010 was also the first year he played in the competitive age group in AYSO soccer and the first time in several years that he didn’t have his dad as his coach. He continues to be involved with our church sponsored Cub Scout Pack and is now at the Bear rank. He earned his Whittling Chip card, certifying that he has earned the privilege of carrying a pocketknife. He was very excited but we had to make sure he understood that this means we DO NOT take it to school! Adam makes sure there are plenty of boy things (Star Wars, Legos, Nerf guns, etc.) around our house for him and his dad to enjoy. He is a very good student and was voted to be class president by his peers for the first trimester of school. 

Annaka (age 13), our teenager, is in eighth grade, her last year before high school. She is on the flag team and is involved with ASB (Associated Student Body) and other clubs at school. Her other activities include piano and participating in the Young Women program at church. She continues to be in high demand as a babysitter, so mom and dad need to plan ahead when they need her. She makes sure there are plenty of girl things around and recently started making her own scented facial scrubs and other sweet smelling concoctions. She is our “idea machine” and is always coming up with creative ways of doing things. She is very thoughtful and has been saving her own money to be able to purchase Christmas gifts for her family.

Amy continues to stay busy getting the children to their activities and keeping Ashlyn entertained, which is no small task! She is involved in the PTA at both Annaka and Adam’s schools. At church she continues to work in the Nursery and is also helping with the Young Women at the stake level (all the congregations in the greater Pasadena area). This year she had the opportunity to attend youth conference and girl’s camp which was really fun, especially being at girls’ camp with Annaka (although we’re not sure how Annaka felt about it!).

Carl’s time is filled with family, work, and church. He has travelled more with this job than previous positions and misses time with family when he is gone. However, he continues to really enjoy the work he is doing and the people he works with. At church, Carl was called to serve as 2nd counselor in the stake presidency and was released earlier this month as the bishop of our ward. Change is always a constant in the Church! Carl had his first broken bone this year, when he broke his finger while playing with the kids in St. George. Not thinking that it was actually broken, he went about business as usual and after about 3 weeks, when it didn’t seem to be healing he finally went to the doctor. He ended up having to have surgery which required 4 pins to straighten the bone. But thankfully all went well and he is fully recovered.

We are truly grateful for the blessings and trials in our lives. Our knowledge of our Savior’s plan for each of us brings great comfort and peace. May our hearts turn to Him this Christmas season and throughout the New Year as we follow His teachings and example. We send our love and best wishes to each of you for a happy and healthy 2011.

Love,

The Besaws